The gym is not just a place for high-level golfers
Everyone understands the benefit and need for golfers playing at high levels (college, pro, high-level amateurs) of getting in the gym to help support their game. What I am here to talk about today is the importance of everyone even those that just play for fun or recreationally to participate in some kind of consistent exercise routine. I am going to list out a few reasons why everyone needs to be in the gym working on their body and their health regardless of what their sports performance aspirations are.
Exercise as Medicine
I will start by sharing a quote from Kym Guelfi, University of WA’s Associate Professor at the school of sports science, exercise and health:
“So many of us just don’t appreciate all the benefits you get from exercise,” she said. “There is no quick-fix medication out there that can give as many far-reaching benefits as exercise can. In many ways, exercise is the miracle pill, it can help prevent a range of serious diseases, it can help combat diabetes and heart disease, it can help you sleep, it will help you lose weight, it will improve your general well being and there is absolutely nothing out there that is as natural with so many far-reaching benefits and yet we don’t seem to appreciate it.”
This pretty much sums up the main reason all of us as human beings should engage in some kind of regular exercise routine. It helps fight against things like heart disease and diabetes, has been shown to be effective with depression and mental well-being, prevent falls and improves safety, and helps us enjoy the activities that we love well into our years. Regardless of what your activity or sports-related goals are exercise is a necessary part of living a healthy and high-quality life.
Helps us enjoy Golf, Tennis or any other activities as we age
Most golfers significantly lose distance as they get older but is the primary reason for this the years they have lived or are there other (controllable) factors that are more significant in causing this loss of distance? In a vacuum, we will lose strength, muscle mass and power with age but in most cases, it's not age that is the primary reason for these losses as well as a decrease in distance. It is more the number of years of a sedentary lifestyle and poor habits since your natural physical peak that leads to this.
Many people confuse this number with chronological age, which is a separate (and uncontrollable) element. Everybody will have a natural physical peak, which can be maintained for a certain period before a decline occurs. THE LENGTH THIS PEAK CAN BE MAINTAINED AND THE RATE OF DROP OFF CAN BE HUGELY INFLUENCED BY YOUR ACTIONS!!!!“
I.E. Get fit, Get strong, Get healthy and Move well.
Helps fight against the diseases of aging like Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia
Osteoporosis - the body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn't keep up with old bone removal. Weight-bearing activity and resistance training help signal our bodies to make bone at a faster rate
Sarcopenia – is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass (0.5–1% loss per year after the age of 50), quality, and strength associated with aging and is one of the most important causes of functional decline and loss of independence in older adults. Resistance training with heavy enough loads to result in growth signals that can lead to increased strength. Resistance exercise also increases the actions of growth-promoting hormones.
It helps us enjoy golf or other activities with less pain or chance of injury.
Resiliency and longevity are starting to become higher profile concerns as the sport continues to evolve. For golf as a larger industry, longevity should be the No. 1 concern, as the industry is combatting the baby boomer generation aging out of playing due to injury, loss of distance off the tee, and subsequent loss of enjoyment. This leads to them dropping club memberships and shifting their attention and dollars to other activities.
Building strength and improving movement quality not only builds the base for speed and power but can also protect against injury especially the repetitive type injuries common to golf and allow golfers to play good golf well into their years. Strength is the best protector we have against sports-related pain or injury.
In Conclusion
You don't have to be in the gym 5 days a week to see the benefits of an exercise program. 2-3 days a week of weight training, mobility work and conditioning are sufficient enough to see all of these positive effects. Having guidance and accountability is a great way to ensure you are doing what is best for you and your goals and staying on track. This is where I can help. Please reach out with any questions or if you are interested in learning more about how I can help you get on track to living a healthier, happier and more active life via email at johnpaul@guidrypt.com or phone at 337 274 3639.
John Paul Guidry DPT, CSCS TPI F2
Guidry Golf and Sport LLC
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