Feed the Beast.
That’s the motto that Ryann O’Toole and her trainer, Greg McLean, at PFS (Premier Fitness Systems) in Scottsdale, Arizona train by.
O’Toole, who is known as one of the strongest and most athletic on the LPGA, has been training hard since she was 15 years old. Two years ago, she took it to a whole new level.
“PFS are the ones that opened some avenues to expand my athletic ability and tapped into the feed the beast (mentality),” said O’Toole, who was T23 after three rounds of the Founders Cup. “I love to discover more in the gym and build. As a pro athlete, there is only a certain extent you can go, but there are a lot of other things you can do to push your athletic limitations.”
For example, early this week, she completed a 36-inch box jump and set a new goal of 40-inches by the end of the year. Check. Higher.
Two days later, she upped the anti to 38-inches and then just before the Founders Cup started she successfully did two jumps at 40-inches. Check. Higher.
So, what’s next?
“My next goal is 44-inches by the end of the year, but maybe I’ll get that in a month, we may have to buy more boxes,” joked O’Toole after firing a 66 in round three on Saturday. “44 (inches) would be (the equivalent) of jumping on top of a Ferrari, I’d be stoked.”
That’s insane.
There is nothing quote-on-quote normal about O’Toole’s workout routine. First of all, the entire workout is done barefoot. Her newest form of exploration in the gym is called Animal Flow, which she describes as a ‘crazy version of yoga’. She uses kettle bells, rings, ropes and even has repeatedly tossed medicine balls on top of a roof.
“You can really build the explosive, balance, coordination skills. And grip strength too. I do stuff that doesn’t require crazy bulking strength.”
This all translates quite well to the golf course. First, she’s more body aware. Second, she’s been injury-free.
“Golf is hard on your body. You’re not like a football player getting hit all the time or anything like that, but the swing is not natural. There are always injuries out here. Your body needs to be limber.”
If O’Toole wasn’t a professional golfer or maybe when her career comes to a close, she wants to train athletes.
“I played a lot of sports (growing up) and when I started golf I wasn’t getting the athletic exertion. It’s always been in my nature to be explosive and I move fast and like to seek the next thing to push my limits.”
That Ferrari stands no chance.
)
)
)
)
