Spinning and golf?

[thewizard]

hi vickie and other members!

im new to this forum and love fitness and golf. i did a sports management degree so i know a fair bit of fitness related and sports science stuff. just want to say you are the 2nd person i have EVER heard recommend compound exercises like deadlifts, squats to increase distance.

what i wanted to ask was basically how good is spinning for golf?

i did a class for the first time the other day and got absolutly SMASHED in the 45m spinning class. i thought it was great for fitness and i will try and go twice a week now. i noticed in he class how hard i worked and pushed myself compared to training on my own or going for a run. I actually went into that pain barrier which i have never been before. really opened my eyes to how hard you Should be working.

so is spinning good for golf? i also want to put on size but drop body fat.... i know you cant do both to a certain extent but if i do my 2 weeks of spinning a week along with my gym workouts i wont loose muscle if maintain protein right? any help would be great cheers!!!!

GREAT FITNESS FORUM! BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN FOR GOLF!!!

[Yoda]

Thanks for this second post, Wizard. You're right: This is a great Forum and Vickie is The Best!

I should know...

She worked my tail off in this morning's session, but I felt great all day. I rarely get sore -- even when I've been 'rode hard and put away wet'. Every day I stand taller and move more freely. I am aware, and I know that her Magic is working.

My extensive travel schedule (and lack of dietary and cardio discipline) has not permitted me to take full advantage of her talents, but we're now getting our arms around that problem. Stay tuned for a new Yoda....

A mere shadow of my former self -- and a more muscular one at that!

Aagggghhh...I think I just made the commitment.

Vickie...

Help!!

[Physioguy]

With regard to Spinning (I took a couple classes - it kicked my butt!) and compound exercises, I think that ANY activity which makes you more fit, may help your golf. One proviso is that you must maintain your flexibility.

If I were to perform "traditional" exercises, I suppose squats and deadlifts would be more beneficial than any number of the dreaded "machine" based exercises such as leg press, hamstring curls, or knee extensions. (Of course, your back may not like them in the long run, but that's another story...)

I still maintain that at least some of your golf-specific exercise should look an awful lot like golf. It should train the body to rotate, should include some speed activities, should train golf posture/address, should train maintaining the spine angle, should work on balance, etc. Of course, it would be nice if you could get all that in a limited amount of exercises(Instead of having one for strength, one for speed, one for posture, etc.)
It also would be nice if the exercises actually ingrained proper swing mechanics.

I think that any exercise program would benefit from including a cardiovascular component, from a general health standpoint if nothing else.

Not sure spinning will do a whole lot specifically for golf, unless your legs are significantly deconditioned.

Edit - oh yes, I agree - a very fine golf fitness forum. I just wish there was a LITTLE more activity.

[Yoda]

... I agree - a very fine golf fitness forum. I just wish there was a LITTLE more activity.

Your wish is my command, Physioguy. I'm off to teach TGMers in Germany until the 15th, but I'll be back in the gym with Vickie on the 16th. We'll come up with some dual-purpose exercises that will train both the body and the G.O.L.F. Stroke. That should attract some of the other Forum crowd, especially if we shoot some video. Stay tuned!

[Trig]

Being an endurance athlete for a number of years I am really big on any type of training for the cardio/vascular system. The overall health benefits are almost too numerous to mention. It's good for your heart, lungs, blood pressure, and helps with body weight management.

I think spinning a couple times per week is an ideal compliment to your gym work. Spin classes are usually a mixture of low and high intensity all packed into one session. This is what I call a "high-quality" workout and far better bang for your buck then say jogging slowly twice per week.

Anything that's good for your health is good for your golf game!

[dcg1952]

"Anything that's good for your health is good for your golf game!"

Great quote! While "golf specific" exercises will help with your swing, and are certainly appropriate, a solid base of overall physical conditioning will also help. How many of us have a great round going and then crash and burn over the last 2 or 3 holes??? This is usually due to a combination of poor physical conditioning,dehydration, poor diet,etc. So, spin,swim,run,walk,lift,etc.
Your body and your game will thank you!
Stay healthy folks Dr Dave

[Physioguy]

"Anything that's good for your health is good for your golf game!"

Great quote! While "golf specific" exercises will help with your swing, and are certainly appropriate, a solid base of overall physical conditioning will also help. How many of us have a great round going and then crash and burn over the last 2 or 3 holes??? This is usually due to a combination of poor physical conditioning,dehydration, poor diet,etc. So, spin,swim,run,walk,lift,etc.
Your body and your game will thank you!
Stay healthy folks Dr Dave

I guess I need to clarify my suggestion of "golf specific" exercises. I think these exercises will most significantly affect the golf muscles, and lead to improvements in endurance, distance, and, more importantly, reduce or prevent injuries. I agreed that general fitness activities are always a good thing, but if the question is about what will improve your golf game, and I think the original post mentioned distance, specifically, then I would recommend something a little more golf-specific. And, if you are crashing and burning towards the end of walking (or, heaven forbid, riding) 18 holes, I think a spinning class will kill you!! LOL!

[dcg1952]

Agree Physioguy. I was looking at the part of the original question where "thewizard" asked if spinning was good for golf. I was agreeing with Trig that it will help his overall level of conditioning and endurance, and indirectly help his golf. Certainly for the distance part of the original question it would be appropriate to work on golf specific exercises. I'm waiting to see what Yoda and Vickie come up with. Dr Dave

__________________________________________________ ___________A flute without holes is not a flute, but a donut without a hole is a Danish.

[Vickie]

Hello All, About time I chimed in on this one. I think your questions about spinning and exercise in general have been well covered. I want to address your building/cardio issue. Spinning classes do burn a lot of calories and in every class I have ever taken there are portions when you are standing and using increased resistence. So your biking in this forum can also represent some strength work for your legs. Adequate protein is certainly a necessary component for your nutrition but don't skimp too much on your carbs. When people start wanting to loose, it's become a popular notion to eat no starches. You really need these carbs when you are training heavy and consistently. Try frequent, smaller meals to help keep your energy high and your body using up all of the calories and still provide the necessary support for your training. I really think your nutrition is 80% of the game when it comes to refining your results.

Yes, Yoda and I are working on some exercises specific to TGM. The value in this type of exercise is in breaking down the motion for closer evaluation and then imprinting more precise mechanical compliance.
We'll be working on this for the next couple of weeks, just in time for beautiful fall golf.

Vickie