PRE-SEASON will come around very quickly in what is shaping up to be one of the club’s most important in Melbourne’s recent history.

With developing players requiring further size to match it with the best, the club’s new training facility -particularly the gym at the AAMI Park Sports Campus - will be a second home for players over the summer months.

Melbourne’s fitness staff has been busy formulating a plan, which best utilises the new elite facility, providing each player with the perfect platform to take its game to the next level.

Players will train for an expected eight sessions per week in the gym, incorporating weights, cardio boxing and Pilates.

Melbourne fitness manager Joel Hocking said: “Due to the size of the gym at the AAMI Park Sports Campus, compared to both Casey Campus and Junction Oval, the Melbourne Football Club will now be able to run a more efficient program, which better accommodates the needs of players, allowing them to focus on more quality work in a shorter space of time”.

Players drafted in the past four years, including James Strauss, Jack Watts and Jack Trengove, can all expect to “progress onto heavier weights and more difficult and specific lifting techniques”, according to Hocking.

He was also quick to point out that “player welfare would never be compromised” as an injury interrupted pre-season would stall player development significantly.

With the Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory also based at the AAMI Park Sports Campus, will the Melbourne players be tempted to take on the Storm players in a weight lifting stakes?

Hocking confirmed that “although training with the other clubs provides a welcome distraction during the grind of pre-season, maintaining control of our own program and not getting excited with what the other codes are doing, will be paramount to producing a successful pre-season.”

As the facility managers of the AAMI Park Sports Campus, on behalf of the three clubs, Earth Sea Sky is now giving you the rare opportunity to train where the best do by opening the doors to this state-of-the-art facility.

Like Brad Green, Tom Scully and Sam Blease, you can now benefit from the best in equipment and expertise. Gone are the days of working out in an overcrowded underequipped gym.

ESS offers a range of group and specialty fitness classes guaranteed to get you in the best shape of your life.

Programs include Corporate Premium, Women in Business, Men’s Health and also the unique “Hell Fit” training program, designed exclusively for fellow Melbourne supporters with a share of the profits going back into the club.

Other speciality classes include, Train like a Champion Boxer, Pilates, Spin, and Cardio and Weights Training. Each program includes our “Fun Friday’s” session.

Programs incorporate the use of the fully equipped gym, pool, ice baths and spa and there are private change rooms available, so you can shower before heading to work.

Currently programs run Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6-7am with a view to add more classes as interest peaks.

For more information about training at AAMI Park or to find out how we can tailor programs to suit both individual or company needs, please visit www.earthseasky.com.au or call our friendly team on 03 94214000 to confirm your place in one of these exciting programs.