Let’s face it, the average golfer is not in the physical condition of say, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson. Most of us take on the shape of Craig Stadler (sorry Mr. Stadler). I think that’s one of the things that attracts people to golf: you don’t need to be in great physical shape to partake in the sport. And playing it does not tire you out dramatically like playing hockey, football or soccer.
It is a fundamental of human nature to want to do something better as your activity in (whatever it is) increases. “Practice makes perfect” is not just an adage thrown out there, to those who want to improve at something, it becomes their mantra. In sports as in life, the more you practice the better you become.
The same is true with golf. Anyone can learn to swing a club properly and, through a series of lessons, learn to strike the ball well. Once you start taking things a little more seriously, you realize that the perfect swing engages muscles that you may not have known you have. That’s where the ActivMotion Bar can help.
The ActivMotion Bar was invented by NASM, CSCS, NPTI trainer Derek Milkulski. Along with Level 2 TPI-Certified golf fitness pro Dave Davis, they have produced a fitness DVD that comes with each ActivMotion bar and guides you down the path to superb golf fitness.
At first glance, the ActivMotion Bar looks like any other workout bar, that is until you pick it up. Inside the ActivMotion Bar are rolling steel balls that vary the weight of the bar from 6 – 18 pounds. These steel balls all of a sudden make you think about balance, engaging your mind in your workout routine – something that is lacking in many a workout.
Now that your mind is thoroughly engaged in keeping the bar level, you should notice how much your balance is challenged. Developing better balance is one of the key selling points with the ActivMotion Bar and is essential in developing a good (or better) golf swing. As you progress in your levels of fitness following the guidelines on the DVD, the exercises get a little tougher; many of them relying on improved balance.
A mechanically sound golf swing also relies on strong, flexible core muscles. This is where the ActivMotion Bar shines, helping to engage the 50 or so smaller core muscles in your body. A simple exercise such as a side stretch with the bar overhead, is taken to a new level with the ActivMotion Bar. The momentum created by the steel balls inside as you stretch to one side, takes you a little further each time, increasing flexibility and range of motion.
My new ActivMotion Bar comes with a DVD with two workouts: a 8-minute golf warmup routine and a 24-minute workout. These golf-specific training programs were created to increase strength and control of the exact same muscles you use when swinging a golf club. They help to develop muscle memory that applies directly to your game, which in turn leads to longer drives, increased accuracy and stability. Lower scores are soon to follow!
Changing up your fitness routine every now and then is a great way to keep your body stimulated. Your body’s not stupid; if you do the same exercises over and over again, your body will eventually adapt to the routine. Medicine balls and weight plates can get boring. According to a recent University of Michigan study, the ActivMotion Bar was shown to activate the muscles in the core and extremities up to 173% more than static tools like medicine balls and weighted group fitness bars.
The ActivMotion Bar Golf Fitness Package retails for $120 – $150 depending upon how much weight you want. The package includes the weight bar and workout DVD. The Golf Fitness package can be purchased on the ActivMotion Bar website: www.activmotionbar.com/store
