Golf Fit Club at PTU

Do you want to be fit, expecially if it helps your golf game?

Do you want more power to increase your shot distance?

Do you want to increase your club swing range and speed?

Physical Therapy Unlimited (PTU) in conjunction with the City of New Braunfels & Landa Park Golf Course offer personalized, six week GOLF FITNESS sessions that use stretching and strength training to develop all of the key physical elements you need to improve your golf swing and to prevent injury. PGA Golf Pro and General Manager of Landa Park Golf Course, Chad Donegan provides video golf swing analyses to further enhance your golf game. There are several different class times to choose from and they are all conveniently located at PTU’s own gym.

A golf fitness training program will

· Improve your golf game
· Improve your over all health
· Prevent golf injuries
· Improve your club swing range by improving your flexibility
· Increase your club swing speed by developing your muscle strength
· Increase your club swing power by training your dynamic postural balance and segmental coordination

Prerequisites

The GOLF FITNESS program requires no previous gym experience. All you need is the desire to develop a better golf swing. If you are capable of playing 18 holes, you can safely do this program. As with any exercise program, it is recommended that you consult your physician for clearance. If you feel pain, dizziness or nausea with any of the exercises, stop and report to your doctor immediately.

Requirements

A certified fitness instructor will test your Fitness Handicap and design your personalized GOLF FITNESS training plan. You will be required to attend two group gym sessions per week in which you will train with the group while following your own specific guidelines. You will be required to complete your homework and submit your results to your instructor. You are required to play golf, have fun and improve your game!

Time commitment

· Gym session: 1 hour
· Weekly: 2 gym hours, 2 homework hours, play golf

Required gear

· One golf club
· Workout clothes/shoes
· Water

Recommended gear

· Heart rate monitor
· Stop watch
· Fingerless workout gloves


What to expect

· Improved core stability
· Better separation between your upper and your lower body
· More width in your swing
· A better set up posture
· Increased balance for improved weight shift & postural control through your swing


Program Includes

Video Swing Analysis
Golfer History
Fitness Handicap
Personalized training plan
12 group training sessions
6 Weeks PTU gym access
2 DMS manual stretch sessions

Price

$295/per 6 week session; pay in full by cash/check or $147.50 per month for 2 months by automatic credit card payment

Video Swing Analysis: Allows instructor to look at the student's swing at 1/4000 of a second. Allows instructor to check posture, alignment, swing plane, impact position and follow through. Being able to capture the swing at a slow speed, the instructor can pick apart the elements that need improvement. It also helps the student by seeing the correction for themselves.



Gym 101
Our GOLF FITNESS group training class combines fitness training, functional exercise, plyometrics and ballistic training. This type of training focuses on the core stability, strength and explosiveness needed to create stability and mobility for golf. The class promotes muscle strength, balance, flexibility, speed and explosiveness throughout your body while targeting muscles used in the golf swing.
Training classes involve a maximum of 8 people doing a golf specific circuit workout. The group setting is a fun and total body workout addressing all the major components in golf: agility, strength, power, flexibility and endurance.
Although the session is conducted as a group, you can expect our fitness specialist to tailor the workout to each golfer. Individuals of varying fitness levels can participate in the same group session.

Gym 102
After your successful completion of Gym 101, you are eligible for Gym 102. This class follows the same outline as Gym 101 but incorporates more advanced exercises.

Gym 103
Take this class after your successful completion of Gym 101 & 102. This class follows the same outline as Gym 101 & 102 but incorporates more advanced exercises.

Gym 104
This is the most advanced class in the series. You should have mastered the previous Gym 101, 102 & 103 classes and have demonstrated a good level of core strength and stability.

Stretch homework
This is a list of stretches you are to perform at home.

Manual stretching
Manual therapy is a hands-on approach to facilitate more mobility and flexibility that are needed to play golf. In some cases, an individual may stretch and not see improvement in flexibility. This can result from joint restrictions or knots that build up in the muscles that cannot release on their own. Manual therapy using a vibration percussion device can help “jump start” the physical limitation that may be inhibiting your swing and your game.


CALL 830-609-2000 FOR CLASS AVAILABILITY AND REGISTRATION

Limited space. Pre-registration required.

Sissy Skinner Wins!

PTU patient Sissy Skinner and her doubles partner won the San Antonio Senior Tennis Tournament. The win qualifies them for the Texas State Senior Olympic Tournament in October of this year.

Sissy had major knee surgery only five months ago and has been rehabbing it at PTU. She pushed it hard last week to win the tournament. "We played three hard fought matches," said Sissy. "My knee is swollen but at least we won!"

"Now I have a few months to do nothing and let it heal," said Sissy. "I will start training again about six weeks before our next tournament so I can be ready to win and qualify for Nationals."

PTU wishes Sissy the best!

PTU's Michelle Medellin Helps With the Fight Against Cancer

Physical Therapy Unlimited technician Michelle Medellin has a passion for fighting cancer! She and her family are participating in the 12 hour Relay For Life walk at Canyon High School on April 30. They have set an ambitious goal to raise $1,000 for the cause.

Relay For Life is a community gathering where everyone can participate in raising awareness of the disease. Teams of people will camp out at Canyon High School and take turns walking or running around the track from 7pm to 7am. Each team will have a member on the track at all times through the night—because cancer never sleeps. Relay For Life celebrates survivors, remembers loved ones and brings together people to raise money.

Michelle’s team includes her husband, her mom, her sister and her cousin. They have all seen close relatives succumb to the disease and therefore feel the need to contribute. “My mom and I did the Susan B. Komen walk last year and it was wonderful,” said Michelle. “We were crying a lot because we saw the survivors and heard their stories, but in the end it felt great to be there doing something about it.”

Michelle has been training for the 12 hour walk during her lunch time at work. “I walk on the treadmill whenever I get a chance,” said Michelle. “Last year I was exhausted after the 12 hours, but it was definitely worth it.”

Michelle’s team is called “Knock Out Cancer.” They are team #85 and their goal is to raise $1,000. They are currently accepting donations on-line as well as at the PTU offices in New Braunfels and Canyon Lake. Throughout the 12 hour relay, they will continue the fundraising by selling raffle tickets to win a relaxation massage and a deep tissue massage.

Please support Michelle, Relay For Life and everyone involved with the fight against cancer. For more information on how to donate to Michelle’s team, please call the PTU office at 830-907-2145.

Senior Olympian Sissy Skinner Entrusts Physical Therapy Unlimited with Her Care

Sissy Skinner is no ordinary sixty-two year old woman. She is an incredible tennis player who is currently vying for a spot in the 2011 Senior National Tennis Tournament. While many seniors find exercise in gardening or golf, Sissy finds it on the tennis court.

She started her tennis career at the age of nine when her best friend’s father took the girls to a park to teach them to play. Since then, Sissy continued to play competitively for 35 years. At one point she and her doubles partner were ranked number one in Texas and were amongst the top ten in the nation. Sissy herself was ranked as high as second in Texas in singles play.

After many years of competitive play, Sissy transitioned into a coaching role. She coached at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas and later worked as a teaching pro at River Oaks Country Club in Houston. With her USPTA P1 status, Sissy was very well respected in the coaching community.

After a break from competing, Sissy took up tennis again. However, like many athletes who pushed their bodies to the limit through years of athletic endeavors, Sissy suffered through a knee surgery that forced her to put down her tennis racket. “I played and I kept playing until I couldn’t stand the pain anymore,” said Sissy. Her surgery and subsequent knee rehab has kept her from competing until now.

Sissy has been receiving therapy at Physical Therapy Unlimited off and on since last November. “Robert Rodriguez and his staff are a joy,” said Sissy. “I’m thrilled that he is so fabulous at his job. The PTU employees really care about me and they want to ensure that I get the proper treatment to get better. I will tell everyone I know that they must go to PTU for therapy.”

This week, Sissy is playing in a Senior Olympic Tennis tournament. She and her doubles partner are playing in the 60-64 age group and hope to finish in the top three teams so they can qualify for the Texas State Tournament in October of this year. “I just hope to be strong enough to have a shot at qualifying,” said Sissy. “It would be great to qualify for State and then go to the National Tournament in Houston in 2011.”

Introducing PTU's Newest Intern Emily Vyvial

Bienvenidos! Howdy! Willkommen! The PTU staff would like to welcome our newest intern Emily Vyvial. Emily is a vivacious 22 year old native of Katy, Texas who is currently living the high life as a student at Texas State University in San Marcos. In between playing volleyball, going to the movies and hanging out with all her friends, she is working towards her Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sports Science and plans to graduate this May.

Emily's decision to intern at PTU for school credit was based upon PTU's highly recommended mentoring program. "I have learned a lot from the PTU staff but my favorite part of my position is interacting with the diverse group of patients that rely on us for help."

"Emily has been very helpful in assisting us to provide quality, hands-on care to each and every patient that comes through our facility," said Robert Rodriguez, Director and Owner of Physical Therapy Unlimited.

Listen up employers! Upon graduation, Emily hopes to work in Early Childhood Intervention. "Emily would be a valuable assest to anyone who employs her," said Rodriguez. "She has a great work ethic."

Ladis Aguilar is President!

Ladis Aguilar is a student Physical Therapist Assistant at Austin Community College and is the President of the Physical Therapist Assistant Club (PTA Club). The PTA Club is an educational non-profit organization that promotes interest in health care professions emphasizing the Physical Therapist Assistant. The club promotes wellness through participation in health care events in the community, assists students with funding for participation in APTA and TPTA events and promotes communication with the physical therapy community in Austin and Central Texas.

Ladis has been a valuable employee of Physical Therapy Unlimited for eight years.