LPGA star Charley Hull emphasizes the importance of strength training alongside cardio for peak performance.
Charley Hull, the English professional golfer, is known not only for her talent on the course but also for her dedication to fitness. In a recent social media post, Hull offered a glimpse into her workout routine, highlighting a crucial component: strength training. This comes as Hull actively shares her fitness journey with her followers, providing insights into the rigorous training that supports her success on the LPGA Tour.
Strength Training Takes Center Stage
Hull’s recent post featured a series of photos showcasing her strength training session. She was seen performing various exercises, including lifting dumbbells, doing push-ups, working with a kettlebell, and executing lunges. The caption accompanying the photos read: “Not always cardio. Strength sessions are a must to.” This simple statement underscores the importance Hull places on strength training as part of her overall fitness regime.
A Balanced Approach to Fitness
While Hull is known for her cardio workouts, including running and rowing, she emphasizes that strength training is equally vital. This balanced approach ensures she builds lean muscle mass, increases her metabolism, and improves her overall strength, all of which are beneficial for her golf game.
Examples of Strength Training Exercises
Hull’s strength training routine includes a variety of exercises targeting different muscle groups:
- Dumbbell exercises: These help build upper body strength and improve muscle tone.
- Push-ups: A classic exercise for chest, shoulder, and tricep strength.
- Kettlebell exercises: These are great for building core strength and improving balance.
- Lunges: These target the lower body, strengthening the legs and glutes.
Hull’s Overall Fitness Routine
Charley Hull’s commitment to fitness extends beyond strength training. Her routine is a blend of cardio, strength training, and functional exercises designed to enhance her performance on the golf course.
Cardio Workouts
Cardiovascular exercise plays a significant role in Hull’s fitness regimen. She incorporates activities like running, skiing, and rowing to burn fat, increase stamina, and improve cardiovascular health. Hull has been known to include runs of up to 6.3 kilometers in her training sessions.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Hull also incorporates HIIT workouts into her routine. These workouts involve short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief recovery periods. HIIT is an efficient way to burn calories and improve cardiovascular fitness.
Functional Exercises
In addition to cardio and strength training, Hull performs functional exercises that mimic movements used in golf. These exercises help improve her balance, coordination, and power. Examples include:
- Box jumps: These improve explosive power in the legs.
- Farmer’s carries: These build grip strength and core stability.
- Wall balls: These improve upper and lower body strength and coordination.
- Bulgarian split squats and hip thrusts: These exercises help focus on balance and lower-body strength.
Why Strength Training is a ‘Must-To’ for Golfers
While golf may appear to be a low-impact sport, it requires a significant amount of strength, power, and endurance. Strength training offers several benefits for golfers:
- Increased power: Strength training helps golfers generate more power in their swing, leading to greater distance off the tee.
- Improved stability: Strong core and leg muscles provide stability throughout the swing, improving accuracy and consistency.
- Reduced risk of injury: Strength training helps strengthen the muscles and joints, reducing the risk of injuries.
- Enhanced endurance: Golfers need to be able to maintain their energy levels throughout a round. Strength training improves muscular endurance, allowing them to play stronger for longer.
- Increased Metabolism: By incorporating weightlifting and bodyweight exercises, athletes are able to build lean muscle mass, which helps increase metabolism.
Hull’s Dedication and Discipline
Charley Hull’s fitness journey is a testament to her dedication and discipline. Despite a demanding travel and competition schedule, she consistently prioritizes her health and fitness. She openly shares her workouts on social media, inspiring others to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.
Balancing Fitness with Other Lifestyle Choices
Hull has mentioned that she doesn’t focus on golf-specific training because she finds it “boring”. Instead, she focuses on general fitness and weights, which she believes helps her golf game. She also emphasizes the importance of recovery, including ice baths, physiotherapy, and massages, to prevent injuries. She also values sleep, often getting 10-11 hours a night.
Addressing Unhealthy Habits
Hull is also known for her smoking habit, which she jokingly refers to as “the only bad thing I do!” However, she maintains a clean diet, rarely drinks alcohol, and prioritizes fitness, suggesting a balanced approach to health and well-being.
Social Media and Inspiration
Hull actively uses social media to share her fitness routines, providing fans with a glimpse into her training regime. This open approach resonates with many, inspiring them to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Examples of Shared Routines
Hull has shared various workout routines on her Instagram, including:
- Weekend workout routine: This includes a 4-minute run, 500m row, 10 minutes of EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute), and lifts with weights between 14-16 kg, along with burpees.
- “12 Days of Christmas” workout: Inspired by the holiday song, this workout includes a mix of cardio, strength, and endurance exercises with increasing repetitions.
- Thursday workout routine: This includes a morning 5k run or walk, followed by 40 minutes of EMOM in the evening, incorporating exercises like ski ergs, kettlebell swings, rowing, and walking lunges.
- Pre-tournament preparation: For events like the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, Hull focuses on exercises like rowing, Bulgarian split squats, and hip thrusts to improve balance and lower-body strength.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Golfing Success
Charley Hull’s fitness routine exemplifies a holistic approach to athletic success. By prioritizing strength training alongside cardio and functional exercises, she optimizes her performance on the golf course, reduces her risk of injury, and maintains a high level of overall fitness. Her dedication and discipline serve as an inspiration to golfers and fitness enthusiasts alike, highlighting the importance of a balanced and consistent approach to health and well-being.
