Working hard to get results
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 06 January 2010
FITNESS CHECK: Rachel Connor prepares for a session on the cross-trainer under the watchful eye of Kim Roberts.
TREADMILLS and cross-trainers are playing a crucial part in Rachel Connor’s preparations for her rookie year on the Duramed Futures Tour.
The former England amateur international could have used her time at home to put her feet up and relax.
Bit instead Rachel is pushing her body in a bid to get in the best possible shape for her return to America.
With the weather ruining any chance of getting on the golf course, she is being put through her paces in the Middleton gym of fitness experts Kim and Dave Roberts.
And Rachel, whose father Brian is professional at Hopwood Cottage, believes the hard work away from the fairways and greens can only benefit her on the eight-month tour.
She said: “I’m fitness training three or four times a week and the sessions are quite long.
“They are usually over three hours, one hour of which is cardiovascular.
“I want to work hard to improve my fitness, because I think it could make a difference.
“If I can improve on my fitness levels, I will hit the ball further, it will improve my stamina and also my concentration.”
Rachel has also used some of her time at home to meet player management groups, including Chubby Chandler’s International Sports Management, who look after European Tour No.1 Lee Westwood.
