“My friends tease me, saying you’re supposed to be hitting the ball shorter as you get older.”
By Jeffrey Levy, as told to Karen Iorio Adelson.
At 60 years old, I’m playing the best golf of my life.
I first got into the game back in my early 30s, but I played infrequently until I retired in 2017. Since then, I’ve been playing four to five times a week during the season. My lowest handicap was 17, but after I got my Tonal in 2020, I was able to get it down to an 11. Thanks to the strength and rotational power I’ve gained through Tonal workouts, I’ve added 30 yards to my drives, going from an average of around 200 yards up to 230. Just last summer, I hit a 290-yard drive—my longest ever—and shot a 77, my all-time best, on a 6,500-yard course.
My friends tease me, saying, “You’re supposed to be hitting the ball shorter as you get older.” But I’m bucking that trend, and it’s all thanks to my strength gains.
Since working out with Tonal, I can hit all of my clubs farther. Where I’d once use a seven-iron, I’m now hitting an eight-iron and getting the same distance. That means more accuracy and control on every shot.
A golf pro told me core strength is critical to your game, and I’ve been working on that. The rotational core moves on Tonal such as the Rotational Chop and the Pallof Press have been very helpful for me. I’ve done a few of the new golf-specific workouts, including Power and Control: Driving and Power and Control: Irons. Both workouts do a good job of explaining why each move helps your golf game.
I didn’t have golf in mind when I bought my Tonal, though. When I retired, I was not in very good shape. Like most people working a lot of hours and traveling for business, I didn’t take good enough care of myself. I was reading about how people lose muscle mass as they get older, which can lead to health problems. I bought a stationary bike, which helped with cardiovascular fitness, but I wasn’t doing a whole lot for strength. This was also around the time Covid-19 hit, and I didn’t want to go to a gym. Because I’d be working out on my own at home, Tonal’s safety features, like being able to turn the weights on and off with the touch of a button, appealed to me.
I started off with a beginner program, and I’m currently in my 20th program. I like not having to come up with my own workouts, and I realize that the coaches know much more about fitness than I’ll ever know. All the coaches are true, world-class experts. I haven’t found a bad workout on Tonal yet.
Outside of golf, I’ve also noticed I’m stronger in my everyday life. From carrying our patio furniture inside for the winter to lifting heavy bags of water softener and even opening jars, everything feels easier now. My clothes fit better, too, and I’ve gained muscle mass, which isn’t easy to do when you’re in your 50s and 60s. I started taking measurements when I began working out on Tonal, and I’ve gained two inches in my chest, over an inch in my biceps, and three inches in my shoulders. If you’re a 25-year-old, that might not sound like a lot. But at my age, I’m extremely happy with those results, because I don’t have the same level of muscle-building hormones a 25-year-old has.
My friends think I lost weight, but it’s just the increased muscle mass. My doctor noticed the changes, too. He cut the dose of my blood pressure medicine in half, which almost never happens as you get older. Even my cholesterol levels have improved.
I’m hoping to finish eight or nine more muscle-building Tonal programs this year. My goal is to hit at least one 300-yard drive, break 80 a few more times, and get my handicap into single digits. I may not be getting any younger, but I can keep getting stronger.
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Individuals with pre-existing health conditions, injuries, or concerns should consult with their healthcare provider before trying a new exercise or nutrition regimen.
