Juan Barberis is an Internationally Certified Golf Fitness Trainer who works with amateur and professional golfers to improve their “golf shape”.

He conducts thorough assessments and provides individualized fitness and nutrition programs that enable golfers to enjoy the game more by remaining pain and injury free and also by hitting drives further and more accurately on a consistent basis. EAT GOLF! caught up to find out more...

Could you tell us a little about your background and how you came to be a golf fitness trainer?

First of all, I would like to say that assisting golfers to improve their games is one of the most satisfying professions anyone could have. I really enjoy what I do. It allows me to encourage and train golfers to become better and not only improve their games, but often improve their lives!

I came to be a golf fitness trainer about three years ago after a successful career in international marketing and sales which took me to over thirty countries and allowed me to develop businesses for entrepreneurial firms such as Dell. I had gotten tired of the long hours and the travel so a close friend of mine recommended that I return to college and “re-educate” myself as a personal trainer. Since my friend and I are very much alike in that we enjoy competing in sports and also assisting others, I acted on his advice and returned to college in Southern California to earn a degree as a personal trainer.

While I was studying, the director of the program introduced me to Dr. Joseph Zappala, founding member of the Nike Golf Player Staff, who was also a very successful chiropractor and golf fitness trainer. Dr. Zappala had been in business for eighteen years catering primarily to golfers and had a very professional staff that included a family medicine physician, physical therapists, and other golf fitness trainers. His clients were mostly amateur golfers, but very dedicated to the game, and often competing for titles. Among his clients were some outstanding golfers that even had the opportunity to play with Tiger Woods during a Pro-Am.

I was very impressed with the organization, and began working for Dr. Zappala while I was earning my science degree. Within a few weeks I had learned how to properly conduct assessments and put together training programs for golfers. I started slowly and as I developed my reputation with clients, I gained referrals and my business started to grow.

I attribute the growth of my business to my sound technical knowledge of the golf swing and how to properly work the related muscles. Additionally, I was able to leverage my teaching and leadership skills developed during my days in the corporate world to influence my clients positively. In time, I graduated with my science degree and earned my international certifications as a health care provider in CPR / First Aid, as well as a Personal Trainer and as a Golf Conditioning Specialist.

I had always dreamed of living in southern Spain so this past June I moved to the Costa del Sol. I am fortunate to have family and close friends that live close by so we are often getting together for dinner parties, rounds of golf, or attending Marbella or Sotogrande´s jazz festivals and polo matches. The quality of life in the Costa del Sol is outstanding so I am very grateful to be here!

In general, how aware are golfers of their fitness?

In the last five years, with the advent of Tiger and other top golfers such as Sergio Garcia, Annika, Michelle Wie and Camilo Villegas, among others, amateur and professional golfers have become aware that golf requires a certain level of fitness.

Whether amateur or professional, golfers are very interested in enjoying the game pain and injury free. They also want to hit drives further and want to hit them further consistently. Golfers are realising that one of the most important factors that allows golfers to improve and enjoy their game is the fitness of their body - how flexible and strong it is and how well the mind and body work with regards to balance.

Obviously, working with a golf teaching pro to properly train their swing is a must, but the body is the single most important component. Many of my clients are amateur golfers aged 45+ and they have stated to me that they continue to train their bodies in order to play consistently into their 60s and even 70s - their golf games have improved and so has their quality of life.

Another portion of my client base are young and competitive golfers. They have read article after article on Tiger Woods regarding his fitness regimen and want to follow suit with the hope of some day playing in major tournaments. They are dedicated and listen attentively to my advice. Fitness training has become a habit for them that keeps them well and is improving their golf games. I think in the next couple of years, we will see that golfers of all ages undertake a fitness regimen. Fitness can be lots of fun and the rewards are priceless!