Pilates for Golf

All this week I will present golf-specific Pilates exercises.

Pilates has a very specific focus on strengthen the abdomen or core, which is exceptionally beneficial to anyone looking to improve their golf swing. Pilates works from the idea that once you strengthen your core, everything else follows.

When you practice Pilates concentrate on your breath.  If you hold your breath, your muscles tighten which cause tension. Inhaling and exhaling completely as you practice your Pilates exercise will help loosen and elongate your muscles. Learning to breath deeply will also help you relax and think more clearly during your round of golf. The more deeply you breath the more oxygen gets pumped into your bloodstream to help energize you.

Here is a simple Pilates exercise that will help you breath deeply.

The hundred is a classic Pilates mat exercise. You will be asked to perform it during the beginning of almost any Pilates class you take.

The hundred is often used as a warm-up for the abdominals and lungs. It requires that you coordinate your breath and the movement at the same time.

Step 1: Lie on your back on the floor with your legs and arms fully extended. Inhale.

Step 2: Bring your head up and drop your arms by your side. Keep the shoulders engaged in the back. At the same time, deepen the pull of the abs and lift your legs off the floor.

Step 3: Hold this position. Take five short breaths in and five short breaths out (like sniffing in and puffing out). While doing so, move your arms in a controlled up and down manner – a small pumping of the arms.

Step 4: Do a cycle of 10 full breaths as your arms pump up and down a few inches while you breath.

Step 5: To finish: bring your knees in toward your chest.

The hundred

Send me your questions and comments-kpj@swingbladegolf.com.

Become a fan of Cardiogolf on Facebook