Fall in Myrtle Beach means a few things. Golf, lighter traffic, vacationing golfers, opening windows & turning off the A/C, and did I mention folks playing more golf? With over 100 golf courses in Myrtle Beach, it’s easy to see the attraction.

A unique sport that draws all ages, golf is praised for its mental & physical challenges. It demands focus, strength & control. The player’s ability to concentrate & execute precise movements is crucial. So is awareness & breath control. Sound familiar? That’s because these are also all principles of the Pilates Method.

What Do The Pros Know?

If you’ve ever had a golf pro “analyze your swing”, you may know what I’m talking about. Golf pros are trained to break down a golf swing into separate motions. From starting stance to follow through, there are scores of individual movements that complete the swing. The slightest error in any of these motions can result in a poor swing.

To correct a player’s swing, a pro will address the individual motions. Player’s may be told to “open their stance”, or “square their club face”. Adjustments are made in the hips, shoulders, elbows, etc. There are plenty of tips addressing individual golf swing problems. But there’s rarely any talk about our body’s core, and what role it plays. But what does our core have to do with our score?

The Stronger Your Core, The Lower Your Score

Since Golf & Pilates share similar principles, many golfers adapt naturally to Pilates Method. So where does Pilates differ from what the golf pro teaches? The answer is: core strength. More than a buzzword, core strength is the philosophy which drives Pilates. A certified trainer works with you to develop hyper-awareness of your body. Focusing on this mental aspect of a workout has a few key benefits:

• Improved breath control = improved blood flow
• Better awareness of where your body’s weaknesses are
• Gaining the ability to ‘tune out’ distractions & focus on execution

A Pilates workout is effective because it begins with mental preparation. This is what allows us to do the exercises properly. Just as a good golf swing must begin with concentration, a good Pilates workout must begin with a determined & focused mind. The simpatico that exists between Pilates & Golf becomes more apparent as we work on exercises designed for the golfer.

To Prepare Is To Prevent

Earlier this year, we talked about how Pilates can help prevent & rehabilitate injuries. A golf swing is a series of repeated motions. Repetition isn’t a bad thing, but in some cases can lead to injury over time. Especially if the repeated motion is done incorrectly. The corrective elements of Pilates ~ on our posture, our motions & on our breathing ~ not only improves performance. They also help prevent future injury. We’re not meant to struggle against our bodies, after all! Some common injuries & ailments golfers suffer, that Pilates can help correct & prevent:

• Lower Back Pain
• Tendinitis
• Shoulder Joint & Girdle Discomfort
• Hip Instability

Why Wait?

Pilates offers the golfer so many benefits, it’s tough to count them all! Certainly, improving performance is near the top of the list. The shared principles between golf & Pilates make them a natural fit. Golfers of all ages & skill level can benefit. It’s A Core Thing, Myrtle Beach’s premier Pilates studio, is ready to show you how. Fore!

It’s A Core Thing Pilates & Fitness Instructor, Kylie Smith

I specialize in Personal Training, Stott Pilates, and nutrition and wellness counseling in the Myrtle Beach area. Is your current fitness or diet plan not working? My program really works because I work with you one on one to combine nutrition and fitness to help you reach your goals.

What I Can Do For You

I am trained in Stott Pilates, specializing in training on the reformer at “It’s A Core Thing” studio in Myrtle Beach. If you want a lean toned body, with a strong core this is the workout for you. Every exercise focuses in on the use of the core muscles, which include; the back, the abdominals, the shoulders, the chest and the glutes; while also toning the arms and the legs.

STOTT PILATES® is a contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by the late Joseph Pilates. Co‑founders Moira and Lindsay G. Merrithew, along with a team of physical therapists, sports medicine and fitness professionals, have spent more than two decades refining the STOTT PILATES method of exercise and equipment. This resulted in the inclusion of modern principles of exercise science and spinal rehabilitation, making it one of the safest and effective methods available. This clear and detailed approach forms the basis for STOTT PILATES training and certification programs. Its used by rehab and prenatal clients, athletes, celebrities and everyone in between.

My Background and Certifications

• Previous Gymnastic Instructor
• Certified IFTA Personal Trainer for over 5 years
• Fitness and Spinning Instructor at “American Athletic Club” in Myrtle Beach for over 5 years.
• Certified AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Counselor.
• Stott Pilates trained Instructor specializing in reformer training working at It’s a Core Thing in Myrtle Beach.
• Personal Trainer at American Athletic Club Surfside and Myrtle Beach locations.

Myrtle Beach has attractions, shopping, dining, golfing, a myriad of live entertainment & more. But there’s still one feature of the Grand Strand that is largely responsible for drawing the millions who visit us each year: The Beach. Over 60mi of sand & surf make up the Grand Strand, and that’s a lot of real estate for beach goers to walk, bike, surf or sail.

Just about everyone has a pre-beach season ritual. This usually involves hitting the gym, doing our best to “tone-up” those parts we’d covered up in the winter: legs, tummy, arms, butt, etc. Whether you begin in late Winter, early Spring, or are rushing to get the perfect beach body just weeks before Summer officially begins, Pilates can offer so much to help you meet (& surpass) your goal. Here are three ways Pilates can get you in “beach-body-shape” this Summer:

Core Strength = Stability = Better Posture

The advent of mass communication technology means more people working (and playing) on mobile devices. While this might help us stay organized, accomplish more & communicate with more people, it has a few downsides. Typing on computer keyboards all day is terrible for our posture. Even a toned body looks “sloppy” if it’s constantly slouching. A huge part of looking fit is simply how we carry ourselves. How we sit, walk, run, dance, etc. Pilates’ focus on developing better core stability helps correct this. The benefit is two-fold: better posture reduces back & neck pain, and “shows off” newly toned muscles.

Tighter, Toned Legs & Thighs (Without Sacrificing The Knees!)

The maxim holds true: to develop stronger legs, you gotta use ‘em! For most, this means running, jogging, biking or weightlifting. While effective, many find that running can have a debilitating effect on the knees. Some of this is due to the simple effect of gravity ~ the heels come down hard on the pavement. After enough repetition, this can cause some serious damage. Toned legs & thighs just don’t look as good when you’re hobbling across the sand, am I right?

Pilates method takes this into account when working on those important muscle groups. Exercises are done with an ‘evenness’ that helps develop the body in greater harmony with itself. There’s really no need to sacrifice the knees & lower back (as with running, biking, etc) to get those perfect beach legs & thighs. Learning these methods also has the benefit of improving performances in related beach activities (e.g. volleyball, surfing & swimming).

The Ever-Important Beach Belly

Did you just look down at your own gut after reading that heading? I did. No matter the beachwear you choose to sport this Summer, there’s no way around hiding the tummy! Fortunately, Pilates method begins in this area, “The Core”. You’ll hear us talk at great length about this concept, as it is central to the philosophy behind Pilates, and what makes it work so well.

Beginners are made aware of their core through initial breathing techniques. These methods are crucial to a successful Pilates session, and your expert trainer at It’s A Core Thing will continuously work with you to improve your control over your breath & movement. The result? A tighter, stronger tummy is often the first improvement for Pilates newbies, and this is a good thing! As we strengthen our core, the combination of better posture & a toned tummy gives us more confidence as we walk the beaches. After all, self-improvement through Pilates is a physical and mental process. Feel better, and feel better about yourself.

These are just a few of the many benefits of Pilates. The professional & certified trainers at It’s A Core Thing specialize in creating a workout that fits your body, and can help you set (and realize) your goals. Contact us today to find out how we can help give you the best beach body you’ve ever had!