Daily check-ins with the VCF fitness team

One week on from the club's decision to suspend collective training sessions at the Ciudad Deportiva, the players continue to work at home with personalised plans that are constantly adjusted, evaluated and overseen by the Valencia CF coaching staff.

“Each player has a specific workplan that is adapted to their different characteristics," explains Javier Miñano, the head of the Physical Preparation department for the first team. He and assistants Juan Monar, Alberto Torres and Ricardo Da Silva touch base with the squad members on a daily basis.

“The routines are designed to adapt to each player's abilities to undertake certain activities, and involve functional neuromuscular work, strength training and injury prevention exercises," says Miñano, who highlights the importance of staying active during these extraordinary circumstances.

"The personalised work has the main objective of maintaining fitness, but we are also convinced of the contribution that it makes to emotional stability that is so necessary in these difficult times."

Some players have home gyms available to them, whilst others have been given equipment by the club so that they can complete the exercises set.

"Each coach keeps up with the players' work remotely. We can track specific players, a small group or the entire squad, based on the characteristics of the exercises and the objectives set out for them," comments Miñano.

The workplans are revised and adapted along the way, especially based on the possible extension to the lockdown period.

"We've established some short, medium and long term objectives, which we will adapt as we get more information or have more possibilities of working."

"The end goal is to be in the best shape when we get back to competing. However, the most important thing right now is the aspect related to health -both physical and mental," concludes the VCF fitness coach.