Rocco vs. Tiger - a "Tale" of Two Different Training Programs?

Did Rocco Mediate dip into the fountain of youth or is he using a revolutionary fitness program to compensate for his past battles with low back pain?

PGA golfer Rocco Mediate strikes a chord for all those over 40 who are still trying to compete with the "youngsters." The U.S. Open golf tournament came to a close yesterday with Tiger Woods sinking a putt to force a playoff today. Even with an obviously painful knee, we all thought that he had a good chance to tie, simply because of his track record on the big stage.

Besides the large difference in their rankings and number of wins, there is another huge discrepancy in the two players - their physiques. Tiger is well known for his hard work, on and off the course. He actually looks like he could play another professional sport, compared to most golfers who look like the average guy at the office.

Rocco, on the other hand, looks like most other Baby Boomers, who would rather spend time hitting a golf ball than hitting the weights at the gym. He has had past issues with his back, including surgery several years ago.

One thing that he is doing is using a Power Plate whole body vibration platform. These platforms are being used by several sports teams and several pro golfers to enhance their training regimens.

These vibration platforms are used to stretch, strengthen, and massage your muscles and are especially great as part of a warmup. They cause your muscles to contract reflexively between 25-50 times a second, making a fast workout.

They have also been found to be effective in preventing low back pain, something golfers are prone to. This year they have been included in the PGA Tour's fitness trailers for the players to use.

“I have found that The Power Plate has increased my strength, stamina, mobility and overall coordination – all critical elements to success on the golf course,” said Mediate. “Aside from these benefits, the Power Plate acts as a preventative measure, reducing the potential for joint or back related injuries common among golfers. Not only is the Power Plate my primary training method, it is the ultimate warm-up mechanism,” said Mediate. “All it takes is a quick 90-seconds or so on the Power Plate prior to beginning a round or hitting the range, and my body is completely warmed up and ready to go.”

Keeping up with Tiger has forced some golfers to focus more on their fitness levels and get in better shape. But if a busy schedule has kept you from spending time at the gym, using a Power Plate may be the answer. Training sessions can last from 15 - 25 minutes, depending on your needs and whether you incorporate other forms of resistance training with the platform.