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

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.

Posted under Golf Fitness Chicago News

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

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!

Posted under Exercise Tips

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!

Posted under Exercise Tips

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

I have described before that the power in the golf swing not only involves a good sequence of positions in the golf swing, but also excellent core control. Core control and power can be trained but it tales persistence. Here is an excellent trunk stability exercise that all golfers should be doing, and it also helps prevent back injury.

I have posted a photo of the home version of this exercise and a video using a cable column machine. Either way is a great way to develop core control for the golf swing, which in turn helps develop power. Good Luck!

Trunk De-Rotation With Tubing

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos, Golf Injuries

I like using the foam roller with my clients for many reasons. The one thing I know for sure is that foam rolling before your stretching, and mobility work, is awesome for improving your flexibility and overall golf swing. Watch this video for a sequence of foam rolling exercises that you should do before you stretch and/or even before you head to the golf course. Good Luck!

Posted under Exercise Tips, Exercise Videos