Fitness

[ezra76]

I was working out over the winter. Mainly squats for my lower body strength. I can't workout as much now since work is busy. I work as a furniture mover so that's a "core" workout in itself. I do try to stretch though. IMO, stretching is more important than strength in the golf swing.

[RCI]

This really is an important topic... and while many of you are still young and have flexibility/speed today, the real question is how to maintain and improve and have a long active life playing golf. More than any specific swing theory or technique, I believe the key is to maintain fitness. If you do, you can play well a long, long time.

Another thought is that with fitness comes greatly improved coordination and speed/strength. The reason you want core body strength and flexibility is because this allows the firm foundation for a modern, powerful swing.

I was pretty stubborn for many years -- I did not think I needed to "workout" because I was relative long off the tee and had an athletic background. I was wrong. Working out has really had a tangible payback for my golf. You don't have to join a gym, or hire a trainer, or buy equipment; you just have to find the exercises (golf magazines are full of them) that you can do and commit yourself to doing them on a schedule.

Sorry if this sounds "preachy" or lofty (or whatever) but my own personal experiences have made me a strong advocate of working out and I want to share that with you for whatever thought you may want to give it.

[mwsgris]

I had back surgery in may and the physical therapy afterwards focused on the core muscles and legs. One of my personal goals was to hit a bucket with little or no pain, which I did two weeks ago. I hit them further than I ever did before. I'm going to be playing my first round tomorrow.

As previously said, go with more reps with light resistance. I'm currently using 5lb hand and ankle weights as well as a lot of stretching and sit ups.

[ClairefromClare]

My husband is having wicked back issues and needs help. Lifetime jock, but old football injuries. He had a laminectomy 13 years ago and has been really good about his morning crunches, etc. He mostly plays tennis and skis but can also run in moderation.

What really screws the poor guy up is the twisting in golf. He winces every time he tees off, comes off the course in pain and keeps threatening to give it up. I've suggested both Pilates and Yoga, but he's a guy--not interested. Even the thought of a room full of spandex-clad women in there with him doesn't do it.

Have any of you gentlemen had success with either Pilates or Yoga? (They're totally not my thing.) Anything else? I'd like to be able to play with my husband, but not if it puts him back under the knife.

[eclark53520]

Originally Posted by ClairefromClare

Have any of you gentlemen had success with either Pilates or Yoga?

Gentlemen??? AHAHA...

As a spectator sport...lots of success..

I have never tried it...but the g/f does it...she likes it.



I just picked up a weight bench with a press bar, curl bar, pull down machine and a squat rack this weekend from a guy in madison...i am resisting my urge to do my old routines...as i would wake up tomorrow unable to get out of bed.

I am also going to be picking up some medicine balls, a declined situp, and a dip setup...start doing tons of core workouts. Should start eating better too...taco bell just doesnt cut it..but 89c for a burrito...you cant beat that...

[BrandonM7]

Originally Posted by ClairefromClare

My husband is having wicked back issues and needs help. Lifetime jock, but old football injuries. He had a laminectomy 13 years ago and has been really good about his morning crunches, etc. He mostly plays tennis and skis but can also run in moderation.

What really screws the poor guy up is the twisting in golf. He winces every time he tees off, comes off the course in pain and keeps threatening to give it up. I've suggested both Pilates and Yoga, but he's a guy--not interested. Even the thought of a room full of spandex-clad women in there with him doesn't do it.

Have any of you gentlemen had success with either Pilates or Yoga? (They're totally not my thing.) Anything else? I'd like to be able to play with my husband, but not if it puts him back under the knife.

The wife's yoga school had a couples class for Valentine's Day one year, which I attended. The effects of a single class are pretty similar to getting run over by a truck and then having the driver get out and beat you with a tire iron for denting his truck. It was supposed to get people in the mood for a pleasant evening, but all it got me in the mood for was demmorol.

[eclark53520]

Originally Posted by BrandonM7

The wife's yoga school had a couples class for Valentine's Day one year, which I attended. The effects of a single class are pretty similar to getting run over by a truck and then having the driver get out and beat you with a tire iron for denting his truck. It was supposed to get people in the mood for a pleasant evening, but all it got me in the mood for was demmorol.

And noted...

Always learn from OTHERS mistakes...always

[sandwedge]

I have been working out a lot over the last year. Nothing specific to golf but I have been lifting weights, running, and doing a lot of yoga type stretching. I can't say that it has helped my golf game much with the exception that I have a lot more energy on the course.

[twofast2s]

Originally Posted by ezra76

I was working out over the winter. Mainly squats for my lower body strength. I can't workout as much now since work is busy. I work as a furniture mover so that's a "core" workout in itself. I do try to stretch though. IMO, stretching is more important than strength in the golf swing.

i'm w/ ez. since i can't play golf that much during winter time, i build strength. i also do cardio and stretches from calf up to my shoulder. during the season, i just play golf.

[eclark53520]

I just picked up some equipment from a kid here in madison i found on craigslist

allows for bench press(level, incline, decline), squat, leg extensions&curls, precher curls, and the rack has a cable system on it for lat pull down and other leg cable routines

Came with a press barcurl bar, several cable bars, a dumbbell bar that uses the same size plates as the press bar, all the weight keepers for the curl bar and dumbbell

All i need now is a dip station and another dumbbell bar and i will have pretty much everything i wanted at the gym for alot less than a 1yr membership


I need to get my desktop setup downstairs so i can listen to some music while i am lifting.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by ClairefromClare

Have any of you gentlemen had success with either Pilates or Yoga? (They're totally not my thing.) Anything else? I'd like to be able to play with my husband, but not if it puts him back under the knife.

One of my good friends had some serious spinal surgery, which of course resulted in a protracted layoff from all things physical. His rehab included Pilates, and I have to say that his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. He's not pain free, but he plays golf every week, and doesn't complain about much pain.

Here's a pic of his surgical scar, just to give you an idea of what he went through. I think Pilates was a Godsend to him.

[ClairefromClare]

Originally Posted by Eracer

One of my good friends had some serious spinal surgery, which of course resulted in a protracted layoff from all things physical. His rehab included Pilates, and I have to say that his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. He's not pain free, but he plays golf every week, and doesn't complain about much pain.

Here's a pic of his surgical scar, just to give you an idea of what he went through. I think Pilates was a Godsend to him.

Omigod, that's ugly! Nothing nearly so bad here, but I'll keep pushing him. If nothing else, we have to play a lot of event golf for business reasons.

[Bakemono36]

I dont really have a golf-specific workout plan, just a general workout plan.
I alternate between doing arm curls and using those forearm builders one day and doing pushups and situps the next, plus I ride my mountain bike at least 30 minutes a day.
That and I hit golfballs for at least 30 minutes a day.
Ive lost 30 pounds in the past 6 months and Ive had people at work come up to me and ask me what Im doing to lose weight, so it must be working...