This is the plank, a good golf fitness exercise for developing the core control and strength needed in the golf swing.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos

Core exercises to improve golf performance are very popular these days. However it must be understood that these golf fitness exercise need to be performed without compromising the low back. This exercise focuses on gaining control of the stabilizing muscle through the lumbar spine. I must emphasize the word control. The core musculature is not designed to generate power but to control the forces that occur during violent motions such as the golf swing.

This exercise is called the bird dog, and its purpose is to teach control of the lumbar spine while moving the extremities. Move slowly and focus on control when doing this golf fitness exercise. Good Luck

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos, Golf Injuries

The key to controlling low back pain in golfers should focus on controlling the stresses that occur at the lumbar spine during the swing. Golf specific exercises are developed to improve the golfers ability to control or stabilize the trunk. This golf fitness exercise shown below is one of the beginning de-rotation exercises I teach. It is important to learn how to control the rotational forces in the low back during the swing and you do it with this exercise. You can build neuromuscular strength and control, as well as endurance in the deep stabilizing muscle of the spine. Make sure to start with light weight and progress slowly.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos, Golf Injuries

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!

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos

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.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos, Golf Injuries

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!

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos, Weight Loss

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.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos

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.

It’s a great exercise…give it a try!

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos

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.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos

With my Push Ups For Charity Northbrook event getting closer I thought I would post part 1 of the training video the push-up participants received. I will post part 2 in a few days.

Push-ups are a great core exercise as well as upper body strength exercise. Very simple to add to your workout routine. Let me know what you think.

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos