22/02/2026
TIPS FOR PRE-SEASON TRAINING
Whether you are wanting to reduce your risk of early season injuries and niggles, or just be at your peak of performance from the get-go, pre-season training is a crucial part of all sports.
For the best results at the start of the season you want to have been training consistently for 12 weeks to see the best results.
Here are a few simple rules to follow with your pre-season training to help get the best out of yourself:
Challenge the heart and lungs!๐๐
Cardiovascular fitness is a huge part of all winter sports and is often what players will be limited by when the first games come around. Make sure to be doing 2-3 sessions of cardio each week, whether that be running, cycling or swimming. Getting your heart rate up for an extended period will help to improve your fitness coming into the season. Best results can come from a mixture of longer endurance exercise combined with shorter interval training.
Get stronger!๐ช๐ฆต
Strength and conditioning is key for reducing risk of injury and increasing performance. Having 1-2 days of strength exercises as part of your pre-season programme is a great way to ensure you are good to go come the start of the season. If you have had injuries in the past it may be best to focus on these areas in your pre-season work, or consult a physio who can help guide this training.
Keep the skills sharp!โฝ๐๐๐๐
No matter what the sport, keeping your sport-specific skills up to scratch is very important. Particularly if you have not been engaging with the sport much during the season break, then your skills can drop off the same as your fitness. Including some sessions using a ball, stick or hoop can help shake off the rust and start the season ahead of the rest!