By the fit bit
by jon frothingham, NASM-CPT
2007-03-27
Tim Greenway
Tim Greenway
Tim Greenway
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (one of my top 10 favorite books ever), “functional” is an adjective meaning “designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use” or “performing or able to perform a regular function.” Next it lists various functional things like clothing, but fails to mention functional training.
So here’s my version.
Let’s just say for argument’s sake that I strive to be a better golfer. Logically, I plan to increase my flexibility and range of motion through my hips, core and shoulders and increase power through my soon-to-be-Tiger-like golf swing. Then I hit the gym and do what I’ve always done: bench press, lat-pulls, biceps curls — the stuff that makes me stronger. Next stop is the driving range where I display a greatly shortened swing with little rotation, power or distance. All I can do is try to muscle the ball out there without flinging my 5-iron at the – marker or blowing out my back.
So where did I go wrong?
The missing ingredient was functional training. Nothing I did at the gym looked remotely like a golf swing and I don’t recall stretching all that much. I should have been loosening my hips, core and shoulders with rotational movements and stretches. I should have been building power through my hips and legs with multi-plane movements and through my core with rotation against resistance. Basically, my actions at the gym should have mimicked those on the golf course.
That brings us to our next exercise, the Torso Twist.
Having attached a resistance band to something sturdy, turn 90 degrees so you are facing perpendicularly to the attachment point. Then take a step forward with your outside leg, being sure that both feet point straight ahead. This stance will lock your hips, allowing you to directly train your core through rotation. Begin facing towards the attachment point, then rotate away keeping your upper body upright. Imagine there is a bar connecting the center of your chest to your fists — this will help maximize shoulder rotation. You now have a tool to help develop power through your swing.
Tune in next time (April 12) when we’ll talk about other useful tools for golf, like the “mulligan” and “preferred lies.”
Jon Frothingham is a NASM-CPT certified personal trainer at Natural Fitness in Falmouth. To learn more about personal training contact him at 781-3900 or visit www.naturalfitnessme.com.
So here’s my version.
Let’s just say for argument’s sake that I strive to be a better golfer. Logically, I plan to increase my flexibility and range of motion through my hips, core and shoulders and increase power through my soon-to-be-Tiger-like golf swing. Then I hit the gym and do what I’ve always done: bench press, lat-pulls, biceps curls — the stuff that makes me stronger. Next stop is the driving range where I display a greatly shortened swing with little rotation, power or distance. All I can do is try to muscle the ball out there without flinging my 5-iron at the – marker or blowing out my back.
So where did I go wrong?
The missing ingredient was functional training. Nothing I did at the gym looked remotely like a golf swing and I don’t recall stretching all that much. I should have been loosening my hips, core and shoulders with rotational movements and stretches. I should have been building power through my hips and legs with multi-plane movements and through my core with rotation against resistance. Basically, my actions at the gym should have mimicked those on the golf course.
That brings us to our next exercise, the Torso Twist.
Having attached a resistance band to something sturdy, turn 90 degrees so you are facing perpendicularly to the attachment point. Then take a step forward with your outside leg, being sure that both feet point straight ahead. This stance will lock your hips, allowing you to directly train your core through rotation. Begin facing towards the attachment point, then rotate away keeping your upper body upright. Imagine there is a bar connecting the center of your chest to your fists — this will help maximize shoulder rotation. You now have a tool to help develop power through your swing.
Tune in next time (April 12) when we’ll talk about other useful tools for golf, like the “mulligan” and “preferred lies.”
Jon Frothingham is a NASM-CPT certified personal trainer at Natural Fitness in Falmouth. To learn more about personal training contact him at 781-3900 or visit www.naturalfitnessme.com.