SPRINTS, push-ups, agility workouts, jumps and more were all part of the Bendigo Bank Pioneers Football Club's latest round of fitness tests.
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Players from right across the club's recruiting zone faced many challenges in the workouts at the La Trobe University Bendigo gym.
Pioneers coach David Newett said there had been great improvements by many players since their previous round of tests.
A standout was Maryborough's Bailey Edwards, who achieved 15.1 in the beep test, 2.85 seconds in the 20m sprint, and more than 90 push-ups in a minute.
"Bailey's results were exceptional, but the great thing was the improvement in results by so many players," Newett said.
"Aerobic capacity has increased because of a lot of hard work at club sessions and away from the club."
After this weekend's break the club's build-up to the TAC Cup season really starts to gain momentum.
"It will be a massive campaign across the next eight or nine weeks," Newett said.
The final trial game will be on Sunday, February 2 at Epsom Huntly Reserve.
The under-16s will play from 11am, with the under-18s clash to kick off at 1pm.
"There will be about 65 players involved," Newett said of getting closer to finalising the 18s and 16s squads.
A training camp will be in Swan Hill on February 7 to 9.
Then it's on to trial games against four TAC Cup rivals. Three matches will be at Epsom Huntly.
The Pioneers have about 20 returning players, either second-year or top-age.
Bendigo starts its TAC Cup season on March 29 against Murray Bushrangers at Shepparton's Deakin Reserve.