ProBodX

[Clarendon]

This exercise program is unlike anything else I've ever tried before - and I've tried them all in the name of golf: aerobics, weightlifting, stretching, Yoga, dynamic active exercises, etc. At the same time it seems to be a combination of all of them.

The book outlines several different exercise routines for "proper" exercise. The routines have you balancing in funny positions and moving in oblique angles while rapidly swinging a light (just a few pounds) back and forth rapidly. It is kinda hard to describe but it is different than anything I've ever tried before. Although they recommend a bunch of different equipment for doing the exercises, I've been using doing just the basic routine which requires an exercise ball and some light hand weights. I ordered the funny-looking red ones you can see on the cover of the book.

The basic exercise starts with a warm-up routine where you're rolling on the ball. After that it takes you to exercises designed to strengthen your feet. Not calves - feet. After that you do some basic hand exercises followed by a bunch on your back and stomach where you're twisting and turning in weird directions. You finish up with some leg exercises on your back.

Sounds easy, right? Just swing some light weights around while twisting and turning? Well, I never got through the first "basic" workout. My arms and legs were not tired as they are after a traditional weight workout but my whole body was exhausted. I don’t really know how to describe the feeling except to say that my nervous system felt overwhelmed.

Gradually it became easier, and after a few weeks I’m able to finish the whole thing about 30 minutes depending on my pace. I can honestly say that my body feels better than it has in months. I was experiencing a bunch of tendonitis in my knees from swinging the club. It gradually subsided. I can’t believe how different it feels even just to walk; I guess I never realized how weak my feet and supporting muscular structure were.

This past weekend I went out and swung the sticks for the first time in a few months. Although I didn’t play great, I was amazed at how stable my entire body felt and how easy it was to turn back and forth.

We’ll see how it goes after a few more months but I’m planning on sticking with it for now. Here are the immediate pluses:

-Seems to give the benefits of weightlifting and stretching/Yoga in one workout.
-Takes only 30 minutes.
-Doesn’t require much space – a 8 ft. by 8 ft. area should be more than sufficient.
-Only needs a few pieces of specialized equipment. All are inexpensive.

The one big downside is that they people who make the ProBodX routine do not yet have a video to go with it. It is tough to understand all of the exercises without seeing a video for them. I contacted Dr. Edythe about a video and got the following reply:

Thank you for your interest in Dr. Heus’ System of Proper Body Exercise. Edythe appreciated your email and asked me to respond.
We are working on a comprehensive DVD which will illustrate many of the exercises. Currently we do have one that we produced to go along with a basic workshop we held in Los Angeles last year. In it, Dr. Heus illustrates the proper form for the 15 most basic exercises, using one of our certified trainers as a model.

[nsherman2006]

I've been waiting for those new Titleist ProBodX's to come in.

30 yards longer than a ProV, and the ladies dig it too

[ezra76]

Is that the one Tim Herron is endorsing?

[LyleG]

I had SPAM and eggs for breakfast today.

[Clarendon]

Yesterday I went back to hitting my XLR8R (it is a velcro stand you can hit indoors) for the first time with my tempo timer. I couldn't believe the difference in swing speed and the amount of my turn backwards after only a few weeks on this exercise program.

I had been averaging about 79 MPH with the short XLR8R club previously. My peak was 86 MPH yesterday, which is HUGE, about 10 yards of carry.

I've never tried one of these popular "ball exercise" routines before, so maybe this one isn't unique. Anyone else try one of them?

As I mentioned above, the hardest part is that the instructions are hard to follow. I think most people will understand it better with a video.

(btw, is there a better place on this site for golf book reviews? I spend more of my time looking at training aids and books than equipment.)

[Rockford35]

Clarendon,

I've editted your original post to not include addressess and URL's to Spam-esque websites. I'm sorry if you disagree with this, but those are the forum rules.

Should anyone need that info, they can contact you directly via e-mail or PM.

Your post on the original exercise routine and your love of it are fine. You just can't promote them with links and costs like this without proper permissions.

Cheers,

R35
Moderator

[JEFF4i]

Rock has a point, I keep trying to advertise my personal site of pictures of me, and no one will let me, :(

As far as the ProBodX, eh, I'm more of a, spend more time practicing golf than buying trinkets to help.

[Clarendon]

Clarendon,

I've editted your original post to not include addressess and URL's to Spam-esque websites. I'm sorry if you disagree with this, but those are the forum rules.
R35
Moderator

No worries, but I don't quite understand. Why would posting the name of a website for another company be spam? I just cut-and-pasted the email they sent me in case anyone wanted to know where they could get a video.

I use the same avatar everywhere but I'll delete it on this site if it ruffles feathers.

[LyleG]

I think the problem is that your new and most of your posts contain links to OTHER companies websites.

[Rockford35]

No worries, but I don't quite understand. Why would posting the name of a website for another company be spam? I just cut-and-pasted the email they sent me in case anyone wanted to know where they could get a video.

I use the same avatar everywhere but I'll delete it on this site if it ruffles feathers.

I wasn't so ruffled by the avatar, but thanks. You're more than welcome to put it in your user profile, however.

R35