I want to show a short video of the jump squat exercise. When looking to improve power in your golf swing you need to do some power type exercises. The legs are one area that is easy to train and the jump squat is a favorite of mine. I like doing jump squats as part of a circuit of several exercises. In other words pick 2 other exercises such as the push-up and do 20 reps, then do 30 seconds of the plank, followed by 10 jump squats. You can do something similar and vary the repetitions to match your level of expertise. Here’s the jump squat. Have fun!
I see a lot of golfers that suffer from back pain, and as they start to feel better my priority is to teach them exercises that will help prevent future episodes. One of the main reasons for developing back pain is a lack of endurance throughout the trunk and core. These exercise I’m about to show you should not take the place of seeing a medical practitioner because there are many components that contribute to back pain. However these core exercises are excellent in developing the strength and endurance needed to prevent future episodes of back pain in golfers.
The side plank is an excellent exercise that helps build trunk stability and core strength. Recently I have been utilizing a new technique that comes from the research of Stuart McGill and is also utilized by the Kettlebell expert Pavel Tsatsouline.
I also actually used the technique back in my martial arts days through the practice of breath control and the use of Chi.
Stuart McGill calls it “super stiffness” and Pavel describes it in his book The Naked Warrior (which I highly recommend) as “Zipping Up”. Essentially you develop the ability of isometrically tensing all your muscles while in a certain posture or during a certain exercise. McGill explains that this actually happens unconsciously at impact in the golf swing. Please don’t try to consciously do it, or you may have bad results. However I believe you can train this concept as you perform certain exercises such as the side plank.
As you watch the video below and then perform the exercise, I want you to try tensing your entire body when in the side plank position. From your fist, elbow, shoulder, trunk, hips and legs as you hold the position. This may take some practice, but it will give you great results. To start off, only hold the side plank for 10 seconds, and then switch to the other side. You can start with a few reps and progress up to 8-10 reps of 10 second hods.
Have fun adding super stability to your side plank!
This is a great strength exercise for all golfers, especially women that want to increase strength in their arms. Often times women want to increase the strength in the arms for an improved golf swing as well as a way to make them look better.
This exercise will not only increase strength in the arms, but also in the core, and improve balance. Greater strength and stability is a sure way to make a more powerful golf swing. Give this exercise a try. Good Luck!
The hip hinge is a basic movement that I teach to my clients for several reason. The first one being, it is the natural set up position in the golf swing. Additionally, it helps engage the gluteal muscles which help maintain stability and provide power in the golf swing. It also is essential from a biomechanical standpoint, because it helps take the stress off the low back and ensure the correct muscle (gluteals) are functioning properly. You can view my original hip hinge post here.
Now here is a more advanced exercise that builds upon the hip hinge and dead lift pattern. so make sure you are performing the hip hinge properly as well as a good dead lift. This single leg dead lift helps focus on stability, balance and strength through the hip region. Watch this video several times and practice in the mirror to make sure your technique is correct.
As I’ve mentioned several times, an important fitness component that helps develop power in the golf swing is the glutes and legs. There are many exercises to help develop this strength but I especially like the split squat. This exercise shown here in the video is performed on each side and demands good balance & coordination as well as strength. It focuses on the glutes, hamstrings and quads.
Watch the video several times so that you learn and understand the correct position and how to activate the glutes correctly. It is important to stay tall, go straight up & down, and push up through the heel of the front foot. To advanced the exercise you can hold a dumbell or kettlebell (my preference) to load the system with weight.
Here’s a few pictures and the video of our push-up charity event on Saturday April 10. Thanks again to all participants and those that donated. I will update with our final amount raised in a week.
Enjoy the efforts of those that participated.
A common problem I find with golfers is physical restrictions through the hips. When we look at the body from a mobility and stability stand point we know that the hips need to be flexible and mobile. If not, there are compensations that occur as well injuries. Mobile hips allow your body to get in the best possible position in your swing which can help improve your power.
These 3 exercises in this video shows movements that improve hip mobility in each plane of the body. Therefore you receive a multi-directional benefit to the exercises. Give theses exercises a try.
This second video on push up training demonstrates more difficult positions to challenge the core and upper body. If you need a review of the first training video go here. Good Luck!
You can no longer use lack of time as an excuse for not exercising! The evidence continues to come in regarding the benefits of interval training. Short sessions of daily exercise really works. I have been implementing a 20 minute methodology with many of my clients and it fits right in with their busy lives.
I want to share an article that discusses research on this topic. The interesting thing with this research is that the 20 minutes of exercise doesn’t need to be intense. Go here to read about how short term exercise can benefit your fitness. Good Luck!
