Best app for stretching/mobility for golf?

[ahelix]

I use the Ladder App for weightlifting regularly but want to supplement with 5-15 minutes of daily stretching/mobility work. I prefer an app for stats, progress, reminder notifications, etc. purposes.

I don't want something that tries to do it all (strength + mobility for golf), I just want the stretching/mobility. So no FitForGolf, GolfForever, or GolfWOD.

 

I tried the Bend app but it felt too simple.

 

Other options I've found:

Pliability - they advertise a golf option

StretchIt

GOWOD - looks like crossfit focus which is OK since I lift regularly

My Yoga Timer - I'm not big on yoga so prob not the best for me

 

I have a Peloton subscription but want something a little more structured, rather than random videos.

Edited April 16, 2024 by ahelix
added peloton

[tim@timbuswell.com]

Two years ago, I started using YOGABODY to help with flexibility for golf, racquetball.  I had done Pilates, Yoga, YouTube golf fitness videos, for years with little to no improvement.  YOGABODY utilizes long form stretches, with 2-5 minute holds, which has been the key. Thrilled to say I can hold my backswing and finish positions now without strain or balance issues (age 59).

 

May be worth a try for you, the Science of Stretching program with them is pretty cheap, and each session is only 15 minutes per day.  As always, your mileage may vary.    

[davidy1948]

Dynamic Golfers - I use their programme on my computer but they also have an app for mobiles. 15 minutes per day, quite a lot close to yoga stretches, but very specifically directed at golfers. I've been doing them for a few weeks and the improvement in range of motion and flexibility of hips and shoulders in particular is quite striking. I've been doing yoga for many years but this is different level - I'm reaching places on the the course I haven't seen in many years ! Plus the Canadian accent is adorable....

[jonsnow]

Showing my age, I'm sure, but do we have to have an app on our phone for EVERYTHING? Can't we just make some notes on what we are planning to do & take it with us & record our results?

Edited April 18, 2024 by jonsnow

[ahelix]

1 hour ago, jonsnow said:

Showing my age, I'm sure, but do we have to have an app on our phone for EVERYTHING? Can't we just make some notes on what we are planning to do & take it with us & record our results?

 

Haha good point! An app just helps with keeping me consistent. I also track my "exercise minutes" in Apple's Health/Fitness section so it's useful to know how I'm doing.

[ahelix]

On 4/17/2024 at 1:23 PM, tim@timbuswell.com said:

Two years ago, I started using YOGABODY to help with flexibility for golf, racquetball.  I had done Pilates, Yoga, YouTube golf fitness videos, for years with little to no improvement.  YOGABODY utilizes long form stretches, with 2-5 minute holds, which has been the key. Thrilled to say I can hold my backswing and finish positions now without strain or balance issues (age 59).

 

May be worth a try for you, the Science of Stretching program with them is pretty cheap, and each session is only 15 minutes per day.  As always, your mileage may vary.    

 

Great point--I have a friend who is a big believer in the long holds (2-5 minutes like you said). I definitely think it's worth trying. Thanks!

[Cameaux]

I used Pliability for about three months.  I thought it was decent value for $17 per month.  One feature I liked is that it contained an AI assessment tool that uses your camera, whereby you essentially film yourself in a deep squat with your arms extended above your head (biceps over ears).  There was maybe one or two other positions it had you get into.  It then uses AI and an algorithm to assess deficiencies.  I will say I found the assessment to be pretty accurate for me.

 

The downsides are that many of the routines are quite long, given that the program is based on long holds (2-5 minutes per position). There are shorter routines, but then obviously you do fewer positions and hit fewer areas of your body.  The length of routines if you wanted to really hit multiple areas was a big reason I was not regular with the program.  I did see some improvements in mobility, but over time I found myself not using it and cancelled.

 

I'll also add I never pursued any of the golf-specific paths or whatever they're called, as they were building those out when I stopped using the app.  I've had more consistency just working 5-7 dynamic moves targeting 1-2 weak areas over shorter duration routines without an app. 

[Laaandry]

I've also been using Pliability for about 4 months now and as others have mentioned, the main "pathways" as they call them, are centered around long holds. They have a custom schedule built out for you based on your goals and amount of time per week you want to dedicated, but you can also add additional pathways. For instance, I'm doing a hip flexor path, a running path, and a lower back path, each one has about 2 routines per week.

 

The more individualized pathways such as the golf oriented ones, tends to have more active poses with a lot of the routines being around 15 minutes. For instance some or movements, some are more active holds, whereas a lot of the other programs have long passive holds.

 

In addition to stretching I've been focusing on core work and it's pretty remarkable how much better my lower back feels after a round and I've also noticed a lot of improvement in the depth of my squat and flexibility in my ankles and hamstrings.

 

Is it worth the cost? I don't know, I'm sure you can get the same following other yoga flows on YouTube, but I love how it simplifies what I have to do into a daily 30-40 minute guided video. And as someone else mentioned, I really like the analysis tool--though it can be buggy occasionally--it seems to genuinely show where my weak points are, specifically right hip and right shoulder.

Edited April 18, 2024 by Laaandry

[betarhoalphadelta]

On 4/15/2024 at 5:09 PM, ahelix said:

 

I have a Peloton subscription but want something a little more structured, rather than random videos.

 

I'm also a Peloton guy, and I do agree that there really aren't any "structured" stretching programs that I'm aware of. But there is still some really good stretching content. 

 

Pretty much any Ben Alldis 10 minute full body stretch is going to hit the good stuff. Almost every one of them does his "laying torso stretch" which I think is a good one for all the rotational mobility needed for golf. This Rebecca Kennedy 20 minute full body stretch is absolute gold if you have the time to throw 20 minutes at it. 

 

I also know there is dedicated "mobility" content but I haven't tried any of that, so can't really give it a review.

 

It can get a bit repetitive taking the same Peloton stretches over and over. Especially when you get to the point where you could almost narrate them yourself because you've taken them so often. But if they make your body happy..........

[ahelix]

Thanks @Cameaux and @Laaandry. I just downloaded Pliability and am going to try one of the Golf "Paths" with the free trial. This looks to be more of what I'm looking for!

 

For example, for weightlifting I used to use the FitBod app which would generate great workouts with whatever equipment you tell the app you have, but I wanted something with more purpose and direction, and now I use Ladder, which has 6-week programs (and different "Teams"/trainers). Getting way stronger and having fun seeing the gains this way.

[ahelix]

I just did the first three 10-15 minute sessions in Pliability's "Golf Prehab" "path", and they are awesome! Exactly what I'm looking for!

[Dabetic]

youtube. throw it on and get to work!

[ahelix]

Someone highly recommend “Movement Vault” which looks legit because it’s made by physical therapists. 

[golferdude54]

For book options, "Light On Yoga" and "2100 Asanas" show pretty much all the stretching poses you could possibly fathom. Short of being able to put your head between your ankles from behind standing up (which is pretty gross and imo unnecessary), the asanas in those two books will make you limber.

[ahelix]

Update: I’ve now down 11 of the 15-20 min “daily classes” from Movement Vault and am a HUGE fan!!! This is seems much better than Pliability. I’m already feeling improved mobility, less aches/pains, and less restriction with my golf swing.
 

Side note: it’s too bad the app looks like it was made by a 4th grader. Man if the content of Movement Vault was in an app as polished looking as pliability or peloton, it’d be HUGE.

[golfortennis]

On 4/17/2024 at 4:23 PM, tim@timbuswell.com said:

Two years ago, I started using YOGABODY to help with flexibility for golf, racquetball.  I had done Pilates, Yoga, YouTube golf fitness videos, for years with little to no improvement.  YOGABODY utilizes long form stretches, with 2-5 minute holds, which has been the key. Thrilled to say I can hold my backswing and finish positions now without strain or balance issues (age 59).

 

May be worth a try for you, the Science of Stretching program with them is pretty cheap, and each session is only 15 minutes per day.  As always, your mileage may vary.    

 

20 some posts in this thread, all of them good, but nobody caught this guy plays *racquetball*?  There's a game that I thought was extinct.

[Rbsiedsc]

Fit For Golf. Lifting and Mobility all in one.

 

sorry, I am dumb. Didn't read the OPs post fully. However, FFG really does have a nice mobility only section in his revised app.

Edited May 8, 2024 by Rbsiedsc

[ahelix]

On 5/8/2024 at 4:46 PM, Rbsiedsc said:

Fit For Golf. Lifting and Mobility all in one.

 

sorry, I am dumb. Didn't read the OPs post fully. However, FFG really does have a nice mobility only section in his revised app.

 

I love the Fit For Golf stuff, but I think separate strength training (I do Team Crews on the Ladder app) combined with Movement Vault is superior. It's super high quality lifting/strength + high quality mobility. You'll find that a lot of stuff gets marketed for golf, but it's kind of a gimmick because overall strength and mobility will help just as much, if not even more.

[golfortennis]

27 minutes ago, ahelix said:

 

I love the Fit For Golf stuff, but I think separate strength training (I do Team Crews on the Ladder app) combined with Movement Vault is superior. It's super high quality lifting/strength + high quality mobility. You'll find that a lot of stuff gets marketed for golf, but it's kind of a gimmick because overall strength and mobility will help just as much, if not even more.

 

Mark Rippetoe from starting strength discusses what he calls the two factor model.  There is strength training, or general physical preparedness, and then there is practice.  Ie., you spend time getting strong, fit by doing things that get you there, then you work on your skills for your sport.  But the "functional" stuff that people like to try to sell is BS.  It does nothing but separate you from your money.  

[betarhoalphadelta]

@ahelix as you mentioned having a Peloton subscription, Selena Samuela dropped a series of 7 workouts specifically for golfers. She's a big golfer and apparently got TPI certified prior to doing the series. It's 3 mobility classes, which are a 10-minute upper body, a 10-minute lower body, and a 20-minute full body mobility class. There's also two 30-minute full body strength workouts for golfers, a 10-minute core workout for golfers, and a 10-minute "pre round warm up". 

 

So far I've taken the core twice, one of the 30-minute strength, and the 20-minute mobility classes. I've found she hits some areas that I don't get as often in their strength/stretching content, specifically related to the more rotational aspects of the body that come into play in a golf swing. For example in the strength class, there were unilateral dumbbell deadlifts that involved a little bit of rotation, and then there were a lot of movements that were more focused on "explosive" strength than in a typical Peloton strength class. In the mobility class there was a LOT of movements related to thoracic spinal mobility, as well as movements disassociating the thoracic from the lumbar spine. 

 

Since you already have the subscription, I'd recommend checking them out. 

[ahelix]

1 hour ago, betarhoalphadelta said:

@ahelix as you mentioned having a Peloton subscription, Selena Samuela dropped a series of 7 workouts specifically for golfers. She's a big golfer and apparently got TPI certified prior to doing the series. It's 3 mobility classes, which are a 10-minute upper body, a 10-minute lower body, and a 20-minute full body mobility class. There's also two 30-minute full body strength workouts for golfers, a 10-minute core workout for golfers, and a 10-minute "pre round warm up". 

 

So far I've taken the core twice, one of the 30-minute strength, and the 20-minute mobility classes. I've found she hits some areas that I don't get as often in their strength/stretching content, specifically related to the more rotational aspects of the body that come into play in a golf swing. For example in the strength class, there were unilateral dumbbell deadlifts that involved a little bit of rotation, and then there were a lot of movements that were more focused on "explosive" strength than in a typical Peloton strength class. In the mobility class there was a LOT of movements related to thoracic spinal mobility, as well as movements disassociating the thoracic from the lumbar spine. 

 

Since you already have the subscription, I'd recommend checking them out. 

I’m too lazy to look, does anyone have the links for these? Lol

[Albatross Dreamer]

2 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

Mark Rippetoe from starting strength discusses what he calls the two factor model.  There is strength training, or general physical preparedness, and then there is practice.  Ie., you spend time getting strong, fit by doing things that get you there, then you work on your skills for your sport.  But the "functional" stuff that people like to try to sell is BS.  It does nothing but separate you from your money.  

The two factor model is becoming outdated in the sports performance world. Just trying to get strong in the gym could eventually (not beginners) make someone worse at golf considering the structural changes that occur in order to get stronger. It's true some lifting is GPP work, gym/performance training can be used to enhance the qualities needed for the sport someone is playing in a specific way. This is part of the essence behind it being "functional".  Truly functional training is valuable in the context of sports performance and for us weekend hackers. The "functional" training that has bicep curls while kneeling on a bosu ball is worthless though

Edited July 12, 2024 by Albatross Dreamer

[Shilgy]

On 4/18/2024 at 6:14 PM, betarhoalphadelta said:

 

I'm also a Peloton guy, and I do agree that there really aren't any "structured" stretching programs that I'm aware of. But there is still some really good stretching content. 

 

Pretty much any Ben Alldis 10 minute full body stretch is going to hit the good stuff. Almost every one of them does his "laying torso stretch" which I think is a good one for all the rotational mobility needed for golf. This Rebecca Kennedy 20 minute full body stretch is absolute gold if you have the time to throw 20 minutes at it. 

 

I also know there is dedicated "mobility" content but I haven't tried any of that, so can't really give it a review.

 

It can get a bit repetitive taking the same Peloton stretches over and over. Especially when you get to the point where you could almost narrate them yourself because you've taken them so often. But if they make your body happy..........

I believe peloton either has or is about to release a golf specific series. Read it somewhere….👐

[betarhoalphadelta]

11 hours ago, ahelix said:

I’m too lazy to look, does anyone have the links for these? Lol

No problem. I have them all saved as bookmarked classes anyway...

 

10 minute Upper Body mobility

10 minute Lower Body mobility

20 minute Full Body mobility

10 minute core

30 minute strength #1

30 minute strength #2

10 minute pre-round warm-up

[golfortennis]

19 hours ago, Albatross Dreamer said:

The two factor model is becoming outdated in the sports performance world. Just trying to get strong in the gym could eventually (not beginners) make someone worse at golf considering the structural changes that occur in order to get stronger. It's true some lifting is GPP work, gym/performance training can be used to enhance the qualities needed for the sport someone is playing in a specific way. This is part of the essence behind it being "functional".  Truly functional training is valuable in the context of sports performance and for us weekend hackers. The "functional" training that has bicep curls while kneeling on a bosu ball is worthless though

 

 

We will have to agree to disagree.  Getting to the point of strength that it interferes with your sport is getting to the point where you need to decide whether the time dedicated to strength training is more beneficial than practicing the skill.  But thinking that doing sets of woodchoppers is beneficial is a fallacy IMHO.  Until you can no longer get the club in the right positions, you can never be too strong.  

 

"Becoming outdated" is, in my mind, code for "people won't spend money on boring stuff like lifting so I need to sound smart with NEW! and INNOVATIVE! stuff."  Penn State football once had a trainer who thought circuit training was the way to go.  People were quick to say it works, but it really was the fact that genetic freaks can make any program look good, not any benefit from circuit training.    

[ahelix]

20 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

 

 

We will have to agree to disagree.  Getting to the point of strength that it interferes with your sport is getting to the point where you need to decide whether the time dedicated to strength training is more beneficial than practicing the skill.  But thinking that doing sets of woodchoppers is beneficial is a fallacy IMHO.  Until you can no longer get the club in the right positions, you can never be too strong.  

 

"Becoming outdated" is, in my mind, code for "people won't spend money on boring stuff like lifting so I need to sound smart with NEW! and INNOVATIVE! stuff."  Penn State football once had a trainer who thought circuit training was the way to go.  People were quick to say it works, but it really was the fact that genetic freaks can make any program look good, not any benefit from circuit training.    

 

i guess the caveat here is that my priority #1 is good health and fitness, with #2 being improving my golf game being (*GASP*, i know it's blasphemy). going hard on #1 when including a solid mobility routine only helps #2, but i agree that i'd get WAY more gains by just spending more time practicing and playing actual golf!

[ahelix]

8 hours ago, betarhoalphadelta said:

No problem. I have them all saved as bookmarked classes anyway...

 

10 minute Upper Body mobility

10 minute Lower Body mobility

20 minute Full Body mobility

10 minute core

30 minute strength #1

30 minute strength #2

10 minute pre-round warm-up

 

these look awesome--thanks!

[Albatross Dreamer]

52 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

 

 

We will have to agree to disagree.  Getting to the point of strength that it interferes with your sport is getting to the point where you need to decide whether the time dedicated to strength training is more beneficial than practicing the skill.  But thinking that doing sets of woodchoppers is beneficial is a fallacy IMHO.  Until you can no longer get the club in the right positions, you can never be too strong.  

 

"Becoming outdated" is, in my mind, code for "people won't spend money on boring stuff like lifting so I need to sound smart with NEW! and INNOVATIVE! stuff."  Penn State football once had a trainer who thought circuit training was the way to go.  People were quick to say it works, but it really was the fact that genetic freaks can make any program look good, not any benefit from circuit training.    

We'll disagree then. Having been in the field for almost 20 years I've personally seen it happen. I also used to believe much of that and have changed my mind as I've gotten more experience as there's more nuance. This could be a whole other thread though. But if it's working for someone then have at it. 👍

 

I've heard stories similar to the last part too. People don't realize how different working with the truly top tier athletes is. Many times we're not even trying to necessarily improve performance, but rather just keep them healthy. I'll disagree with your "becoming outdated" diatribe as the field has advance since the starting strength days and that's what I was referring to (not that I think it's useless, pretty sure I still have his book on my bookshelf). Of course some people are always gonna be trying to make a buck.

 

 

28 minutes ago, ahelix said:

 

i guess the caveat here is that my priority #1 is good health and fitness, with #2 being improving my golf game being (*GASP*, i know it's blasphemy). going hard on #1 when including a solid mobility routine only helps #2, but i agree that i'd get WAY more gains by just spending more time practicing and playing actual golf!

Oh for sure. Considering most of us aren't getting paid to play there's often a balance between doing what we "want" to do vs what may or may not be best for golf. Of course we all wanna be repping 315 on bench and driving 300 yards right? 😆

Edited July 12, 2024 by Albatross Dreamer