With the Alberta golf season ending, and the holiday season just around the corner, we have the tendency to neglect taking care of our bodies during the off-season. Of course, health and fitness should be a priority regardless of the time of year; however if you find time to be a factor, I suggest you invest in a Stability Ball, which can be used anywhere (office, gym, home) and has hundreds of great exercises to improve your mobility, balance and strength beneficial to your golf game. Below are a few of my favourite exercises for you to try on a Stability Ball.
Push-Up on Stability Ball – Start by getting into a push up position lying on top of a stability ball with both hands on the ball. Spread your feet apart for better stability and try to perform a push-up. Make sure you do the push-up slowly and do not bounce yourself off the ball for momentum. This is a challenging strength and stability exercise for the entire upper body and core.
Pommel Horse – Walk out on a Stability (Swiss) Ball until the ball is under your pelvis. Try to stabilize your upper body (do not bend elbows) and rotate your lower body and pelvis from side to side lifting your top leg with each turn (similar to gymnast on a pommel horse). Try to go back and forth keeping your core engaged. This exercise will enhance your hip turn (pelvic rotation) & help with separation of lower & upper body.
Both of these exercises on a Stability Ball along with many others will help you find Stability in your golf game! Please give them a try, and be sure stay active throughout the off-season.
Have fun, Matt Truong