The suburbs of New York City have some of the best golf in the country, with historic private clubs that have hosted several major championships and many of the legends of the game. As a personal trainer at two stellar private facilities - Quaker Ridge Golf Club and The Apawamis Club - I work for The Salus Group, a business that provides comprehensive fitness center services for country clubs that wish to build fitness centers and implement wellness programs for their members. We offer fitness classes and personal training to members who engage in such sports as golf, pickleball, tennis and squash.
I started working as a floor trainer at my local YMCA in my early 20s and began taking on clients for personal training shortly after that. I worked at several other gyms before meeting Mario Guaglianone, the owner of The Salus Group, which led to the opportunities at Quaker and Apawamis. Over the years, I attained a Certified Functional Strength certification through Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning and am TPI Level One certified as well.
My clientele at the two clubs I serve is predominantly comprised of leisurely golfers who are passionate about the game and want to continue to improve, play longer and play pain-free. They’re usually between 40 and 60 years of age and often simply want to be able to play 18 holes and feel good afterward.
Understanding that everyone is unique, I traditionally meet each individual where he or she is physically. I do so by conducting assessments to determine where their limitations are both in general and within their golf game. It’s also important to highlight their strengths to keep them relevant while we strive to get tangible results that motivate members to continue their golf fitness efforts. Looking at both sides of the coin helps me develop a holistic program that produces those desired outcomes.
My philosophy has always been to train all qualities all year round. I touch on mobility, power, strength and conditioning in every session of every program I write for clients. I use the weight room to develop some general qualities, which we hope enable them to make more technical changes in their golf swing. I don’t want the clients to overthink the weight room, however. I know that they often overthink their golf game, whether it’s the swing, short game, putting, equipment and more, so I want their time with me to be simpler. I help them get stronger by lifting heavy items and working with a medicine ball in a controlled environment and seek to increase their mobility so they can see these physical changes in their golf swing with their golf coach.
Working at two facilities, as well as online through a business I recently started, my clients present an interesting and diverse mix. Some of them are working with a swing coach, who I will communicate with regarding our shared clients, and others who just want to feel better after their round.
Both clubs communicate with members via monthly newsletters that keep them abreast of what’s happening in the fitness center and provide trainers’ contact information so members can reach out to us on their own.
Although I am a proponent of meeting with clients twice per week, some members prefer one time weekly. So keeping with the individual theme of each client’s program, I make it work however the clients want to move forward. I always feel that doing something is better than doing nothing at all.
Brian Loomis is a Personal Trainer with The Salus Group, working at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York and The Apawamis Club in Rye, New York.