Our very own Director of Fitness at ANNIKA Academy, Kai Fusser, has been working hard on an exciting project outside of the Academy. Kai, Annika’s long-time fitness trainer, is creating a series of golf fitness DVDs called “Kai Fitness for Golf,” by Kaifitness, Inc. This 8 DVD series will include 15 complete workouts. The workouts are designed for every fitness level – from beginner to pro. The DVD series is designed to be used at home, for those who prefer working out in private over going to a gym. It is for men and women alike. These are the same workouts that helped Kai’s pro players, like Annika, as well as other amateurs he’s worked with reach their goals.

We sat down with Kai to get more information about this exciting project.

ANNIKA Academy (AA): Besides the awesome workouts, what are some other things people will get in your DVD series?

Kai Fusser (KF): Other DVD topics in addition to the workouts include “Swing Fault Exercises.” This DVD demonstrates exercises proven to help fix swing faults much faster than just time on the range alone. These exercises are regularly used at the ANNIKA Academy for all golf experience levels, and can also be done at home. Another DVD addresses “Healthy Swing” and teaches how to minimize stress on the commonly injured areas during the swing like the back, shoulders and elbows. Strengthening exercises for those areas are also included. Other DVD topics include general health, nutrition, weight loss etc. In the end, health is the most important part for playing a better game and life.

AA: How long have you been planning to create this DVD series?

KF: It has been a couple of years and the preparation work started about a year ago. This turned out to be a huge project! At the moment there are more than 15 people working to get everything done for launch. Attention to detail is so critical, but takes a huge amount of time.

AA:  What was filming like?

KF: Filming was incredible. Eight days total with 2-4 cameras constantly on the set. The first four days were in a studio where a complete set was built. The set was divided into two halves, one with a complete gym and one setup as a home setting where the exercises would be performed simultaneously, (one person doing the gym version (more advanced) and on doing the home (easier) version). While the exercises are performed I go back and forth between the students and explain the exercises and correct the form, just like I would at a real session at the Academy.  We finished filming with four days at the Academy where we filmed the Swing Fault Exercises and  Annika, Henri, Charlotta and Mark participated, combining on the range tips with the exercises. All together there is almost 12 hours of material in the DVD series. It was an intense either days not only for me, but also for my participants who had to do all those workouts, some of them as retakes! We were physically and mentally beat.

AA:  Why is this project special to you?

KF: I finally get to take all my knowledge that I gained over the years of training and working with super athletes like Annika, Grant Hill, Graeme McDowell and others, and share it with anyone that is interested in this program.

AA:  What are your hopes for this project?

KF: I hope that people understand how important your body is for golf, not only for a better and healthier game but for life as well. That with just a few training sessions a week you can have a tremendous impact on your performance whether its strength, power, balance, flexibility or endurance which all translate into a better game. I hope that people see that this program will save them time on the range by getting more efficient, and that people learn how to have fun working out as they see the results.

AA: Any idea as to when the DVDs will be available for sale?

KF: The first commercials will run on the Golf Channel between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the sale will be right after that. Get  ready for your New Year’s resolutions for your game or health! The DVDs will be available on www.kaifitnessforgolf.com. (Site currently under construction.)

KF: Thanks to all my tour player for helping with this project, Annika, Anna Nordqvist, Beatriz Recari, Karen Stupples and others.