By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The calendar shows the date to be August 27. Following a quite busy summer, transfer-wise, by now nearly all 16 EuroLeague clubs have launched their preseason training camps ahead of the 2018-2019 season.
While the teams’ group preparation has just started, the work outing for EuroLeague players was a continuous, never-ending process over the summer. It’s the grind and effort that many players will agree it plays a significant part in the quality and consistency of their performance during the season. And since we are talking about Europe, where players often have official games from September to June (usually in three, or more competitions) it goes without saying that reaching the endgame situations of May/June with a top-notch shape backing your game is more than critical.
Summer provides an abundance of time, yet adjusting your day-to-day schedule to include the necessary workout sessions and also spend moments with family and loved ones (something that often becomes a luxury for many American players who spent nearly 10 months per year in Europe) can be tricky. As you will read below.
From young players that will embark on their maiden campaign in the top-tier continental competition, to veterans with a multitude of continental titles and individual honors in their resume, several EuroLeague players talked to Eurohoops answering questions regarding the offseason workout, training program, diet schedule, and eating habits they follow during summer. The list of players also includes EuroLeague Players Association president Gigi Datome and 1st Vice President Kyle Hines.
1. What do your training/workout schedule and gym routine involve during the summer?
Gigi Datome (Fenerbahce): I had two weeks totally off. After that, I followed a specific program in order to arrive ready to practice with Fenerbahce’s strength and conditioning coach in August. Let’s say, I have a day off every five-six days. And every day I spend more or less three hours in the gym between lifting athletic and basketball.
Bobby Dixon (Fenerbahce): After about two weeks off I slowly started to get back into shape. I do mainly weight training and conditioning in the morning and shooting drills at night, four days a week.
Jayson Granger (Baskonia): This summer has been a little bit different regarding my ankle injury.
After finishing the season at the end of June I started with my PRP injections treatment. After resting for two weeks following medical advice, I started a two-week training in order to gain strength and power on my ankle. In that time, I worked on my lower and upper body, plus some cycling and elliptical sessions because I wasn’t able to run yet. Combining intensive cardio sessions. All this while working with the physiotherapist every day.
Then I had my two weeks of “rest”. But this offseason I couldn’t stop working! So, during my vacation journey, I kept doing what doctors and trainers told me: ankle exercises, cardio, and some work on my flexibility.
Back in Spain at the end of July, I continued with my daily routine, without missing a day, hoping to get healthy and be back as soon as possible.
Kyle Hines (CSKA Moscow): Usually, I take a break from all activities for about 10 days to let my body heal from the previous season. Then I usually start training with weights, strength, and conditioning. I try to do alternative sports like boxing, swimming, bike riding, and yoga. Then I start basketball training usually in the middle of July to start preparing for the new season.
I usually do strength and conditioning in the morning with a trainer. And then in the afternoon, I do a basketball workout with my brother (Tyler Hines) to work on new skills and game rhythm.
Charles Jenkins (Khimki Moscow): The summer is interesting because I’m going away for 10 months so you want to enjoy your time with friends and family before you go back overseas. Thus, I work out really early so I can have the rest of the day available. For the most part, I train for five days a week in the summer. I start at seven in the morning with basketball training. Then at 9 a.m., I’m doing lifting, then later another basketball practice at noon, at 3 p.m.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas (Olimpia Milano): Even right after we finish the season I immediately start doing something, because my body is used to it and I feel guilty if I spend a day without any activity. So in the beginning, I am going to swim in the pool, do yoga, pilates etc.
Later on, I am starting working out on track and field stadium with my coach to improve speed, stamina, jump and help with injuries prevention. At this moment, step by step I am adding basketball to my daily routine.
Every year after the season I am doing the same tests to see at what point my body is and where I should improve the most compared to other years.
