Total Gym Training For Golf With Kettlebells:
I love this time of year. Most of the snow has melted, the weather is getting warmer every day, the flowers are blooming and the birds are delightfully cheering them on with song. But most importantly, The Master’s Golf Tournament commercials are starting to air, which reminds us that the start of the golf season is here. It’s time to shine up your clubs and buff up your golf shoes. It is also time to get your most important piece of equipment for golf tuned up – your body!
Today’s blog and video will focus on two great pieces of equipment to get your body geared up for a successful season and hone your golf workouts: Your Total Gym and Kettlebells.
Let’s talk about the three most important physical aspects you should focus on to integrate fitness to hit the ball farther, straighter, more consistent and to protect your body from injury that can be caused by the tremendous torque of the golf swing.
- Leg Power – Like almost every sport, the power in golf comes from your lower body. A powerful leg drive and hip turn will generate the greatest club head speed and thus the greatest distance. If you think the power comes from your upper body, just try hitting a golf ball with your legs together! You won’t hit it very far but it is a great drill as it reminds you how important the lower body is in the mechanics of the swing. Golfers who try and muscle the ball with their upper body lose distance and accuracy, plus their consistency truly suffers.
- Core Strength and Stability – A strong core is necessary to maintain a proper spine angle throughout your golf swing. If your core is weak, or starts to get fatigued on the back nine, your spine angle will be compromised. Even the slightest movement of your spine angle will throw off your swing plane and make it much harder to get the club back squarely to the ball. There goes your consistency. This is a bit confusing so watch the video as it is much easier to explain visually. Also, a strong core is imperative in preventing low backaches and pains or spinal injuries.
- Flexibility – Some golfers work out and are strong. Many golfers are twigs and would blow away in a brisk wind if it weren’t for their golf cleats! But all good golfers, men and women, have one physical attribute in common: Flexibility. This is why Michelle Wie can hit the ball almost as far as Ernie Els even though Ernie probably outweighs Michelle with about 70 pounds more muscle! Remember, you generate the power in your legs and your upper body is basically along for the ride. The greater flexibility you have in your spine, back muscles, arms and shoulders, the more of that leg power will equate to greater club head speed. Furthermore, tight muscles and joints are much more conducive to the common golf injuries in the shoulders, spine and back muscles.
That is why I love Total Gym golf workouts and golf Kettlebell workouts when conditioning your body. They are both functional ways to accomplish all three of these critical components. Are you ready to get your body for a great season? To improve your game and keep your body pain and injury free, check out the video where I demonstrate some of my favorite Total Gym exercises and Kettlebell exercises, as well as some combinations of both.
Until next time, hit em’ straight!
