Pilates For Golf

Have you ever wanted to train like the pros? Most of the professional golfers on the PGA Tour cross-train with other forms of exercise in order to improve their bodies and lessen their risk for injury. Many, including Tiger Woods, and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam are using Pilates. In addition to reducing pain and risk for injury, Pilates and its benefits are known for improving your game. Rocco Mediate gives Pilates credit for his recovery after major back surgery, as well as the huge improvements in his game. Just like the golf swing, Pilates is a whole body exercise. Here are some of the ways Pilates can help improve your game.

Posture

One of the key focuses of Pilates is posture. Improved posture reduces tension in your back, neck, shoulders, and anywhere else you commonly hold tension. It also helps limit unhealthy wear and tear on your joints which reduces pain and your risk for injury.

Flexibility

Flexibility is an incredibly important factor in making a successful golfer. A powerful swing is achieved by the proper relationship between shoulder and hip rotation. (Check out this article on the x-factor in Men’s Health). Stiff shoulders, tight hips, and rigid spine prevent you from achieving an ideal swing. What’s more, lack of flexibility can also limit your distance off the tee. Flexibility allows for full range of motion, which allows you to reach maximum potential in strength.

Strength

Because Pilates is a whole body workout, it strengthens just about everything. From your abs, glutes, and back, to your rotator cuff muscles, even the deep stabilizers throughout every joint in your body. Pilates puts an emphasis on core strength and teaches you to initiate your movements from your core. This allows you to put even more force behind each swing.

Stability

Believe it or not, there’s a big difference between stability and strength. Strength is about the amount of force you can apply with your muscles. Stability is your ability to control your joints position and proper balance. It plays a key role in pain relief. Trunk stability helps to relieve the all too common lower back ache. Shoulder stability helps to relieve pain in your shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

Mind-body Connection

We refer to the “mind-body connection” in class often. It’s an important part of practicing Pilates correctly. The mind-body connection reinforces the bond between your brain and muscles. When you develop awareness around movement, you move more efficiently and with better control. This means your swing will be more controlled and your shots more consistent.

All these aspects combined can help to make your swing more powerful and more accurate which will do wonders for improving your game. In addition, Pilates will help reduce your pain and risk for injury which not only improves your golf game, but your everyday life! Book your first Pilates session with Inertia6 today to see how your life and game can improve. An added bonus: If you’re looking to improve your game even more, consider adding massage to your training program! Inertia6 offers treatment and sports rehabilitation massage at the Bellevue massage studio.

Rachael Turner

LMT, Pilates Instructor
and Founder of Inertia6
Rachael has a passion for movement and her athletic training and experience give her body-awareness and insight.
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