ZUU meets Brisbane Lions

I was given the opportunity of showcasing ZUU to the Brisbane Lions. Matt Hass one of the Head Conditioners there had heard about ZUU. As someone with an open mind and always looking for a new stimulus, he set up the session. They had 2 of their fittest club players experience ZUU.

Funny as an S&C coach myself you have preconceptions about the fitness of codes that you train with. With AFL I expected the boys to be very strong in their legs due to the amount of km's they cover per game depending on position. Lots of multidirectional movement and contesting requires power & strength, so I thought their top half should be pretty good as well. They generally are lot leaner then Rugby League & Rugby players so conditioning/cardio should be up there.

After training for many years with ZUU it never ceases to amaze me how it affects athletes from every field or code and this encounter was no exception. Within a few mins one of the boys turned to me and commented how his legs were already feeling the lactic set in. That surprised me considering the amount of running they do so ZUU is great for off feet for the boys taking the load off the joints but keeping the fatigue present as in a game. Then when we went up stairs to the upper body ZUU hit its mark even quicker. Some of the boys were finding our fundamental moves quit difficult and having to stop to shake out the lactic build up. Cardio wise the boys felt it especially when we broke their breathing rhythm through specific exercises. They had to constantly stop to try and catch their breath while under extreme fatigue. ZUU simply challenges you on all levels (anaerobic, aerobic & mentally) but in a controlled environment. Their experience is not unique in the sense that every team I have ever trained with goes through the exact same responses.

ZUU drills with the Lions were around 4-5 mins longs with 30 sec rests and total work time around 35 mins. As always even though extremely challenging, the players loved it due to ZUU being unique with our exercises and sequences. 2 said it was 'one of the hardest workouts they had ever done' which seems to be a common remark after a ZUU sesh.

The Lions boys knuckled down during the session and did their code proud as did their S&C coach Matt Hass who certainly knows his stuff but better then that, participated to understand ZUU for himself.

Michael Voss watched the session with very positive feedback & the Lions are now looking at where ZUU may be incorporated into their training.

As always I was flanked by my Head Trainer Rowan Baxter and helping us dish the pain was also ZUU trainers Shaun Butler our Englishman & Luke Bashara who's one crazy Gorilla!!



Nathan Helberg......shar'n the Journey that is ZUU...