COLLINGWOOD midfielder Tarkyn Lockyer said the club's decision to make the Magpies' third pre-season Arizona regime "more football orientated" has prevented the players from becoming bored with the overseas concept.

Lockyer said it often becomes tough for players such as him to be away from their young families during the pre-season, after a demanding home-and-away calendar punctuated with training and interstate trips.

However, the Pies have maintained a focus on changing the program each year to ensure the players look forward to the opportunity to train in the US.

"In past years, we've done a lot of hiking and bike riding, and this year we've really focused on the footy aspect," Lockyer told collingwoodfc.com.au.

"It's just making it different for the guys who have been here three times now.

"Some guys are quite familiar with the surroundings, and you need to keep it so there's a challenge and so the guys stay mentally fresh.

"From that perspective, each time we've been here it's been completely different and it's been good each time.

"The beauty of coming here to Flagstaff is that we've got an indoor facility with a gridiron field that we can use, so from that perspective, we've got really good facilities and the ability to train in really good conditions all the time."

The Magpies are 12 days into their camp, which marks the fourth time the club has ventured into high altitude territory for such training blocks.

"We consider it quite beneficial, getting up at altitude," Lockyer said.

"It's also good to get away from Melbourne and get the guys together specifically for football for almost three weeks, which is a great advantage.

"You get to know your teammates pretty well and you can really concentrate on getting the most out of that three weeks of training.

"We do see it as a huge benefit, and it's a pretty expensive sort of exercise so for the footy club to pitch in and do it for us is fantastic."

Lockyer said he is in good shape physically, after avoiding the surgeon's knife post-season.

However, the 29-year-old said the demands of pre-season training are starting to catch up with him, as he closes in on veteran status.

"I'm bloody tired at the moment," he laughed, from the Pies' base in Arizona.

"I'm good overall. I didn't have any operations at the end of the season, and touch wood, I've remained injury free at the start of training.

"I'm just trying now to get through until Christmas without missing any sessions.

"I'm feeling pretty good, for an old fella."