| We all know that every kind of exercise helps | | | | raised on your elbows. Now, raise the rest of |
| your golf game. When you play golf, you use | | | | your body so that you are balanced on your |
| every part of your body, and an overall fitness | | | | elbows and toes. You'll want to lower your back, |
| routine that works everything will help improve | | | | but keep it straight. If you can, hold yourself up |
| your game. In addition to a regular exercise | | | | like this for about a half a minute. |
| routine, there are some great golf specific | | | | Balancing The Core |
| exercises you can do to work those muscles you | | | | Golf uses the core of your body, so it's important |
| need to make a great swing. | | | | to work these areas specifically. Balance is |
| Stretch | | | | especially important. |
| Flexibility is so important for golfers, and that's | | | | To improve your balance, you can design an |
| why you need to stretch. And the great thing | | | | obstacle course in your house, and try to |
| about stretching is that you can do it anywhere. | | | | maneuver through it. Make it tough for yourself, |
| You don't even have to leave the comfort of | | | | and try carrying something on your head! |
| your office chair! Oh, you want to leave your | | | | Another exercise is to balance on one foot and |
| office chair? Well, that's okay too. | | | | slowly reach for a nearby object. Balancing on one |
| When you swing, you are rotating your body, so | | | | leg is great golf exercise. |
| stretching your torso and abdomen is important. | | | | Golf Specific Weight Lifting |
| Sit on the floor. Raise up one knee so that your | | | | You usually don't associate weight lifting with golf |
| foot is flat on the floor and your knee if pointing | | | | training, but increased muscle strength means |
| at the ceiling. Twist so that you are looking behind | | | | increased control over what your muscles do. This |
| you, bracing the back of your opposite elbow on | | | | is why golfers need to do a little weight training. |
| that raised knee. For example, if you raise your | | | | But don't worry; you're not training for the World |
| right knee, turn so that your left elbow is pressing | | | | Championship Strongman Competition. Golf weight |
| against it and you are looking behind you. After a | | | | training uses lighter weights that are specifically |
| few seconds, switch and do the other. | | | | geared toward working out your golf muscles. |
| Exercises You Can Do Anywhere | | | | Keep in mind that the muscles in your lower back |
| We don't need any fancy gym equipment. A good | | | | and torso are very important in golf. You should |
| exercise to build up abdominal muscle strength is | | | | also work your hamstring muscles in your legs. |
| the good old fashioned crunch. Lay on the floor on | | | | Have you ever noticed how after a long day of |
| your back with your feet flat and knees pointing | | | | golfing, your leg muscles ache? You use them a |
| at the ceiling. You can either put your hands | | | | lot more than you realize. |
| behind your head or wrap your arms around your | | | | Golf specific exercises help you work out the |
| chest. Now, move up toward your arched knees, | | | | parts of the body you need to work out. But, |
| and feel those six pack muscles work. | | | | remember that golfing requires strength and |
| Another one you can do anywhere is the "plank." | | | | flexibility in every part of your body. Design your |
| Lie on your stomach. Lift up so that you are | | | | own exercise program with that in mind. |