Golf exercises at the gym

If you work out at a gym, then chances are you already have access to all the equipment and opportunities to get fitter for golf. So how do you use it? Firstly, any fitness regime that aims to improve your golf game needs to focus on a few key elements:

• Increased flexibility
• Increased functional strength
• Improved cardiovascular conditioning

Focusing on these three elements will have dramatic effects on your game. What do I mean by dramatic? How about the following:

• Longer drives
• Less injuries
• More consistency
• More energy

How do you get these? There are a number of routes you can follow. For increased flexibility, you must stretch on a regular basis. One good option is to join a yoga or Pilates class - you'll not only get a great workout, you'll also be doing wonders for your game. Alternatively you can refer to a stretching book - there are several good ones on the market. For golf you want to focus on the shoulders, low back and legs in particular.

Strength is also crucial. Just think of what you require the body to do every time you swing - propel a club to a speed of between 80-100 mph in less than a second! It makes sense that increasing your strength will not only improve your ability to do this, but also provide a measure of protection against the extreme forces involved in such a motion.

Finally, cardiovascular fitness will pay dividends in numerous ways. It's not hard to achieve - most gyms have a range of treadmills, steppers, exercise bikes, rowers, a whole variety of equipment all built to help you get fitter and leaner. So talk to a trainer, or check out some golf fitness books or DVDs. Whichever route you choose you are likely to wind up not only feeling better but also playing better.