AboutTim Vagen Expertise I can answer any questions on strength training, general exercise, sport specific training. I can also answer questions on training with injuries.
Experience I have 25 years of professional training experience and have combined a physical therapy background with training and exercise. I have worked in the NFL and LPGA along with recreational and elite level athletes from around the world. I have over 40,000 training hours and have trained thousands of individuals over the years.hours
Organizations NSCA, American Swim Coaches Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the International Youth Conditioning Association.
Publications Local Magazines, television, sports radio, web sites
Education/Credentials I have a BS in Exercise science and graduate courses in anatomy, physiology and human movement. I'm certified as a Strength and Conditioning Speciialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Awards and Honors I have competed sucessfully on the international level in the sport of rowing and have coached internationally as well.
Past/Present Clients NFL, MLB, LPGA, US National Figure Skating Champion, US National Swim Champions.
Expert: Tim Vagen Date: 6/26/2008 Subject: Golf Training
Question Hi Tim,
Hope you can help me. I am now 55 years of age and love playing golf. I have been exercising for the last 8 years but mainly aerobic and very little resistance. I just wish to improve my golf game. I weigh about 180 pounds. Please could you give me some form of exercise routine that I can follow in the gym.
Answer Hi Rod...
Without knowing your complete medical history, I cannot give you a specific program. I can, however, give you some general guidelines.
The key here is to gain general strength that will help with your golf game, not golf strength.
I hope that with your aerobic work you are doing some flexibility/mobility work. It will be very important that you work on the mobility for your hips and your mid spine. This can be done in a warm up routine and will help protect your lower back.
-Simply stand on one leg and make circles to the front and side of your body with your knee. Keep your knee at the level of your hip when you do that.
-Stand on both legs with a club over your shoulders like a yoke. You can then point the end of the club toward the ground be bending sideways, being sure you keep your core on and are bending from the ribs.
Those two will help a lot. For strength, I would do multi joint movements and core work. An example of a multi joint lift would be a squat, a lung, or a dead lift for the lower body (assuming you have no lower back issues) and a row, lat pull, or standing cable press (like a bench press only standing). Try to balance a "pushing"'' exercise with a "pulling" exercise to maintain even work on the front and back of the body.
For the core, a plank is the best. Rest on your elbows and toes keeping your body in a "plank" (everything straight) position and hold for as long as you can. You can also do some rotational work with a med ball or a weight.
This should add a few yards to the strokes and keep you healthy.
