There are a number of fitness DVDs, books and programs on the market that will help people improve fitness. A few are golf-centered fitness programs. One of those programs does an exceptional job of targeting the fitness needs and problem areas of golfers, regardless of their level of conditioning; Golf Fitness Challenge.
The program is co-written by renowned golf fitness, golf biomechanic and sports nutrition expert, Susan Hill, and Craig Ballantyne, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Hill has written articles for Sports Illustrated, Golf Illustrated, SELF Magazine, Travel Golf, and other publications, and she has been featured on ESPN and GolfersMD.com. Ballantyne’s articles have appeared in Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Oxygen, Maximum Fitness and Muscle and Fitness Hers.
The Total Package
Topping the list of things golfers want is to hit the ball further, establish consistency, play to their true ability, and the have energy and mental acuity to finish a round of golf well. Golf Fitness Challenge is a combination of strength, flexibility, cardio and nutritional instruction, each of which delivers what is needed for the goals of every golfer.
"Biomechanically" speaking, there is a direct link between the conditioning level of a golfer and his or her golf swing. According to Hill and Ballantyne, "Most swing faults or swing idiosyncrasies can be traced back to physical limitations of some sort." That brings to mind one of the things that sets Golf Fitness Challenge apart from so many others; it helps readers, golfers, identify their greatest physical weaknesses and doesn’t simply toss out a set of exercises to try.
Uniqueness of Swing and Self
Before presenting any exercises, Golf Fitness Challenge begins with a written self-assessment of the reader’s golf game and fitness level. According to the authors, the assessment acts as a roadmap and can also be used to track progress throughout.
In the assessment, readers rate all areas of their golf game, enter height, weight, body measurements, number of meals per day, on course nutrition habits, strength and flexibility ratings and several other variables. They also require recording of 12 minute walking/running distance and provide a scale so that each reader can see where they rank fitness-wise.
Body Chemistry and Metabolism
Another section of the program, which is available in downloadable e-book format, is devoted to helping the reader understand body chemistry and metabolism. It quickly debunks many of the rumors and misinformation regarding both, including the old accepted "three meals per day" myth. In one of the most striking examples of myth-busting, the authors point out that "one of the most calorie-intensive bodily functions is your digestive system." A person who eats several small meals per day will thus burn more calories than a person who eats only three squares per day.
Physical Training, Flexibility and Nutrition
The physical training portion of the program is heavy on core fitness, but does not leave absent a total body workout. Playing optimal golf for each individual depends on a strong core, which is why the focus is in that area. The workouts are easy to follow and understand and each is described in detail, with accompanying photographs, which makes it a great program for beginners who have little knowledge of physical training.
The workouts start at a beginner level and progress to advanced. The program is designed to take a minimum of 12 weeks to complete, but a normal person who starts with the beginner level should take longer to progress through. Each level has multiple sets of strength training workouts, cardio interval training and an easy to follow schedule. For instance, on Monday of the first week a person would begin with Workout A, Tuesday would be the first day of cardio interval training, Wednesday would be Workout B, Thursday would see the second day of interval training, Friday is back to Workout A, Saturday interval training and Sunday is a day off.
Neither peak strength nor peak golf performance can be obtained without optimal flexibility. Included in Golf Fitness Challenge is a daily stretch routine and additional stretching exercises for problem areas.
An often overlooked component of fitness programs, nutrition, is addressed by Hill and Ballantyne, and in an in-depth manner. The chapter dealing with nutrition provides readers with a good understanding of proper nutrition and how to maintain it. It also devotes considerable time to ensuring readers complete understanding of the glycemic index, importance of rest to nutrition and fitness, and a sample meal plan that will get readers started to weight loss and great conditioning.
A golfer’s advantage doesn’t come in the form of the latest, greatest driver. It comes with proper conditioning and a continuing healthy lifestyle. Golf Fitness Challenge promises and delivers.
Golfers can choose from one of three different packages, ranging in price from $99 to $129. The program can be found at GolfFitnessChallenge.com.
