North Melbourne Football Club players recently travelled to the Peninsula Hot Springs for a mid-season recovery session.

With a big focus on player recovery these days, North’s strength and conditioning staff went outside the square in an attempt to freshen up their young list.

44 players made the trip down to the Springs and managed to get some much needed rest away from Arden Street.
“The boys have really lapped it up - it’s been great. They have enjoyed it immensely…once they walked in and saw what they were in for, they were rapt. It’s just sensational out there. You’re so relaxed you don’t want to leave,” Assistant Strength and Coinditioning coach Daniel Lowrey said.

“It’s important to get the players away from the club…it’s a long season, especially when you’re starting in October. We need to break it up and give them a day when their minds aren’t on football.”

The Peninsula Hot Springs offer physical benefits of the minerals, pools and massage, but also provides a mental break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“These players are full-time athletes, and the demands that they have each and every week are incredibly high. If they can get a morning, afternoon or even a full day where they can get a massage or relax in the spa, it’s really refreshing for them, especially at this stage of the year.”
Strength and Conditioning coach Paul Turk chose the hot springs because players could take full advantage of a wide range of treatments including the springs pools.

According to the Australian Institute of Sport, a cold plunge after hot mineral springs bathing can help spike a general feeling of well-being and mental awareness, improve circulation and boost the immune system - as well as aid athletic recovery.

The AIS recommends Hot/Cold Contrast Water Immersion ideally at the end of a training day with two minutes in a spa followed by a one minute cold plunge repeated four to five times, always finishing with a cold plunge and rehydration before, during and after the session.