Experienced a rigorous training session with an English Football League squad - near-fainting occurrence and the exercises were intricate, a stark contrast to casual Sunday League play
Experiencing the Intense Pre-season Training of Professional Footballers at Cambridge United
For many football enthusiasts, the thought of pre-season training brings to mind casual games and light fitness sessions. However, for professional EFL footballers at Cambridge United, the reality is far from that.
The pre-season session for the writer involved a jog around the pitch and stretching, followed by complex fitness drills that were difficult to understand. This was a stark contrast to the typical pre-season for a Sunday league footballer, which often involves three friendly games followed by a 'fitness' session consisting of stretches, a lap of the pitch, and a crossbar challenge.
At Cambridge United, the training is much more intense, involving demanding technical training sessions and constant monitoring of diet, sleep, water intake, and recovery. Every player's training is monitored by a personal WHOOP band, a fitness tracker that provides coaches with information about players' sleep, exertion, and recovery.
The modern footballer's off-season training regimen can pose a challenge to clubs, as players can become overworked or injured before the professional campaign begins. The author experienced this firsthand during the intense fitness training at Cambridge United's training ground. After 30 minutes of training, the author felt faint and needed water, with an elevated heart rate and high blood pressure.
Despite the challenges, the players at Cambridge United are taking their fitness more seriously due to the club's new front-of-shirt sponsor, Brooks. Players' attitudes towards pre-season have changed, with fewer summer breaks filled with fancy meals and drinking, and a tendency to post personal training clips on Instagram.
However, it's important to note that not everyone is ready for the same level of intense training as the Cambridge United players. After the fitness session, some Sunday league players often go to the local pub for a few pints, a luxury that professional players do not have.
In conclusion, pre-season training for professional EFL footballers and Sunday league footballers differs significantly in terms of intensity, complexity, and organization. While Sunday league footballers focus more on maintaining social bonds and enjoying the game, professional clubs like Cambridge United strive for a competitive edge through advanced training methods, technology, and player analysis.
