Body Balance provides golfers with proper fitness

Get a workout designed for golf

By: John Beisser
   
   "Your body is your most important piece of golf."
   That one line sums up what The Body Balance for Performance Centers are all about. Body Balance is a national franchise, developed by Paul Callaway, the first Director of Physical Therapy on the PGA Tour, who has worked with more than 200 of the top touring pros.
   Located on Homestead Road in Hillsborough, Body Balance is a complete health and fitness training program for those interested in improving their golf games by improving their fitness and overall conditioning level. Each of the more than 100 Body Balance for Performance Centers across the nation is staffed with a licensed physical therapist or chiropractor who has been personally trained in the methods developed by Callaway. The Hillsborough location has been a practicing physical therapy clinic for 10 years, while the golf program has been in service for five years, said Director of Marketing Chris Caram.
   "With the popularity of golf exploding with the emergence of Tiger Woods, coupled with the rise in golf facilities in our area, such as Roycebrook, we feel that Hillsborough is a natural location for us," Caram said.
   Body Balance tailors a customized program that improves the physical characteristics necessary to consistently swing a golf club in the proper manner. The program focuses on specific muscles that help improve distance and accuracy while at the same time reducing fatigue and injuries. The program’s aim is to help golfers of all ages improve their posture, balance, flexibility, and strength and conditioning level.
   "We have gotten a great response over the past couple of years," Caram said. "We have junior golfers and people who are in their 70’s and all ages in between. A lot of people don’t think of the golf as a physical sport but the reality is there is a violent wear and tear on the body."
   Golfers interested in becoming a Body Balance client begin with the first step, which is a free consultation. This generally takes approximately 15-20 minutes, and includes a review of your medical history and a golf performance evaluation, with discussion relating to the pace and scope that your individual program will take into account.
   "Some golfers want to add 10-15 yards to their drive, others simply want to feel better," Caram said. "Everyone comes in for a different reason and that’s why we design an individual program."
   The second step is a video analysis, which studies your golf swing from three different angles – the front, side and back. This is where the golfer’s flexibility, posture, balance and range of motion are thoroughly analyzed.
   The third step of the program is the treatment phase. This is where the physical therapy component emerges as the golfer undergoes treatment sessions. Again, each golfer’s physical strengths and weaknesses are individual, so the sessions vary from golfer to golfer. Essentially, the treatment’s focus on exercises related to bending, stretching and improving flexibility.
   "We mesh all of the data together and develop a total customized golf program," Caram said. "Every golf swing is different, just as very body type is different."
   Caram said the cost of becoming a Body Balance client varies because of the wide variation in each golfer’s goals, swing and body type. For more information on Body Balance, golfers can call 1-800-473-6211 or visit their web site at www.fitgolf.com.