Getting Healthy: Phil's goal at the beginning of his transition was simple: he wanted to be in a good physical condition We've watched Phil grow from a tiny child to a larger-than-average 30 something to a fit and trim middle-aged golfer throughout the years. Losing weight is an easy way to improve golf swing speed, and Phil accomplished exactly that.
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| Phil's life has been transformed by committing to a strict diet and exercise program. |
Phil took his nutrition seriously and implemented diet strategies such as intermittent fasting and became consistent with his workout regimen. It is the combination of a sound nutrition, strength training, and cardiovascular program that makes the biggest difference and create the foundation for the Phil Mickelson workout routine
The Phil Mickelson weight loss story has even surprised many of his colleagues as it has been joked that “there isn’t food that Phil Mickelson’s fork won’t find.” But it is an inspiration to people on and off the golf course. We are familiar with the young golfer’s story of packing on the pounds in order to pound it off the tee. We are less familiar, however, with the 50 something who not only keeps but gains yardage with the driver.
Phil Mickelson shares more workout secrets:
Age Matters
Phil’s run to a fitter self came at a later age. He did not have the luxury of starting young and then amping up. To improve his fitness while managing his busy schedule and Father Time, he needed an equally comprehensive recovery program. Most normal people live busy lives but do not have access to some of the recovery tools that Phil has.
Phil Mickelson’s Workout Program
In reviewing the different programs created, Phil appears to use exercises that steer away from isolated muscle contractions. Performing exercises where either your cardio capacity exhausts before your muscle or exercises where balance & stability takes attention away from an isolated muscle contraction.
Either way, the muscle will not become massively fatigued and will not cause much delayed onset muscle soreness.
Should You Workout Like Phil Mickelson?
While you can certainly take away some gems from his workout program, following it directly might not be the best idea. His program is specifically made for his health and lifestyle needs. Be it a weak muscle group, moves he needs to improve in his swing, or pain he is facing, his trainers have tailored the program is for this purpose.
If you are in good health and have a full range of motion, then starting with a compound strength training program, where you perform lower repetitions, will be the best strategy. If you would also like to include cardio, then in your program, add high intensity and steady state conditioning work, where you add resistance to make the exercise more challenging.
Examples for high intensity conditioning include:
- prowler pushes
- sled drags
- burpees.
Examples of steady state resistance exercise include:
- Walking with a rucksack.
- Walking with your golf bag.
If you have any special health conditions or an abnormal lifestyle, then it would be best to work with a qualified fitness professional who can custom tailor a program for you like the Phil Mickelson workout routine.
Create Your Own Golf Fitness Program
Are you in good health and want to want to bomb it like Phil? Then check out our strength training for golf article, which looks at the right way to resistance train for golfers looking to add distance off the tee.
EXERCISES TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR GOLF
Now, of course not everyone has access to the type of experts Phil will have, but here’s 5 exercises you can try at home to help improve your golf game!
Push-ups
Push-ups are essentially a moving plank, making sure that you are using your full range of motion, your chest and hips should touch the floor on the way down. Make sure your arms and legs are straight, feet shoulder width apart. Then, lower your body, pause and push yourself back up, then repeat. Push-ups are an extremely effective exercise that can benefit your overall strength and add power to your swing.
Split Squat
A lower-body exercise that concentrates on your strength, stability & mobility. A narrow stance will reduce your base of support and challenge your stability. With this, you are working the front of your leg, so keep the majority of your weight centred over the middle of your front foot.
Deadbugs
These will really help you strengthen your core. You need strength in your mid to be able to really transfer power from your lower body to your upper body within your golf swing. Keeping your lower back flat against the ground is vital to ensure that you are really working those abs.
Body-Turns
A golf club is really handy to use when you try this, it allows you to twist further than you normally would. Body-turns really help to improve your rotation, especially in the backswing and your flexibility. You’ll feel it most around your ribs, back and shoulders. You normally see the pro’s do this on the practice ground or sometimes on the first tee before they get going
Hip Rotations
This is an excellent exercise to improve your rotation in the backswing and the flexibility of your trail shoulder. Using a golf club will assist your turn and help you go further than you would otherwise. You should feel a big stretch around the ribcage, mid-back and shoulders during this exercise. This is also a great exercise to do before you play a round or hit the range.
Sources: betterbodysports.com & powerhouse-fitness.co.uk