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Originally Posted by lagster
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I have heard much about strengthening the core for better golf, and for injury prevention.
Some of the recommendations have been ... abdominal exercises, medicine ball exercises, and improving breathing techniques.
Have any of you seen good results from doing core strenthening exercises, and what are some of them?
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Lagster,
I started my exercise routine last year and I'm not looking back! In my 20's and early 30's I was very fit but after raising kids and heavy job demands, the priority of fitness in my life eventually went to zero. As someone once told me. "I used to have a chest, but that's all behind me now."
The motivation for going back to the gym was golf!
Every couple of months, I would pull my lower back muscles when making my start down move. It usually occured when I didn't warm up. Eventually I was in constant pain and there were days when I couldn't get out of bed. I had had enough.
I went to the gym with one objective in mind, strengthen my core muscles for injury prevention. I started slowly with an overall body workout. Light weights and enough repetitions to feel muscle fatigue setting in. I always started my routine with basic abdominal work. Sit ups and crunches. That takes no more than 15 minutes and then it's off to leg work and a little upper body and arms work. When I first started I was embarrassed how weak I really was, but I was determined to stick it out.
After a year my routine has evolved to more of a body building program. I'm injury free and nearly as strong as I was 20 years ago. I'm lifting poundages I couldn't imagine a year ago. I feel fit, I look fit, and my energy level is higher. I haven't had any back problems ...at all.
I still have a problem carving out the time to actually go the the gym. It takes an hour and a half out of my day. I try to go at least 4 times a week but if it's just twice a week, I'm still maintaining my fitness level.
I cannot stress enough how beneficial exercise is for golf and life. It's a great feeling to stand over the ball and feel the power reserve. Strong, stable, and ready.
Bagger