P ilates
for
G olfers :
T he B enefits
of
P ilates
for
G olfers
Golf and Pilates might not seem like a natural 3. Improve Body Balance & Stability partnership. But, in fact, the emphasis in Pilates Body balance and stability creates a good on rotation, spine flexibility and trunk stability foundation for golfers to execute an effective means that players – both professional and swing with power behind it. recreational – can gain a lot from practicing this The success behind your swing lies in the method. control over overall range of motion and the Not forgetting that Pilates can help golfers with coordinated rotation of the body, predominantly, injury prevention and injury recovery. With the shoulders and the hips. This is not possible each repetitive movement – rotate, tilt, shift and without balance and stability from the pelvis. extend – taken on a drive, golfers put themselves at risk of overusing particular muscles. This Pilates helps with pelvic and spine alignment so is where Pilates for golf becomes an attractive that you’re able to transition through movements with ease and control. In Pilates, this is done by solution. lengthening tight muscles, strengthening weak In this article, we talk about the benefits of Pilates muscles and engaging the deep core muscles to for golf and give golfers simple Pilates exercises increase pelvic and spine stability and improve they can do from the comfort of their home. muscular imbalances. 1. Advanced Core Strength 4. Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Having core strength in golf is just as important as any other activity. One way to improve performance, longevity and reduce the risk of injury is by training and strengthening the core.
Golf is centered around rotation of the body and driving power from the ground, through your core to the club and the ball. With a stronger core comes increased power and, therefore a more powerful, controlled swing. Not only that, a strong core, impacts so many other factors like improving your posture and lessening the pressure on your back and neck which often causes acute back pain. 2. Enhanced Flexibility Flexibility is one of, if not, the most important factor in becoming a successful golfer. The ability to get a good rotation between the shoulder and hip is the difference between executing a compact, powerful swing or not. Flexibility enables golfers to reach a full range of motion which in turn allows you to reach maximum potential strength and distance.
30 Health & Wellness
Pilates is lesser known for its ability to effectively help individuals in their injury rehabilitation and injury prevention. Clinical Pilates, in particular, can help with all kinds of rehabilitation from acute shoulder pain to chronic back pain. This is largely down to the holistic approach of Pilates which focuses on the entire body to treat any imbalances which may be creating compensatory patterns. Using unilateral movements, Pilates aims to develop even muscles on either side of the body to reduce unnecessary pressure on overcompensating muscles. Pilates also helps to correct postural problems which can often cause injury. A poor posture leads to both shortened and weak muscles; Pilates focuses on lengthening and strengthening muscles, particularly the core, which is great for alignment.
