For this week’s brand new playlist we have SquashSkills Fitness & Performance Director Gary Nisbet taking over, with a very timely series of videos taking a look at ways you can adapt your squash-specific fitness work, to be able to still train hard even if confined to your home.
We’re going through very difficult times in the world right now, with much of the earth’s population operating under some kind of lockdown or restriction of normal movement. For those who are used to being in the gym or on the court on a regular basis, this can mean a big part of your weekly routine is suddenly missing. From elite professional players who play and train as their full-time job, to the amateur enthusiasts bashing it out at the local leisure centre a couple of times per week for a bit of much-needed stress relief, sport and exercise play a very important part within a lot of people’s lives.
While we, unfortunately, can’t do anything to get the courts and gyms open again anytime soon, what we can do is provide you with some novel ideas and training methods that will help you stay engaged and motivated to keep fit and active both physically and mentally.
Gary brings all of his knowledge and experience to bear in this series, drawn from 15yrs as an elite strength & conditioning coach working with high-level professional athletes from a range of sports including squash, football, and martial arts. He’s crafted a great playlist for us consisting of video demos and sample sessions for each of the main fitness components that comprise the sport – endurance, strength/stability, power, speed/agility, and mobility
Whatever space you have available, whether that be the back garden, the middle of the lounge, or the corner of your bedroom, you’ll be able to use Gary’s exercises to help you get a first-class workout in no matter the circumstances.
The aim of this blog is to outline the sessions Gary discusses in the video series, as well as to point you in the direction of some other great limited space sessions we have on the site. We also have some links for you to check out looking at related content focused on racket skill exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home, as well as some more in-depth fitness and conditioning playlists for those interested in learning more about the physical side of the sport.
We’re all looking forward to the day when things return to normal, and we can resume our lives free from the fear and restrictions that so many of us are currently living under. In the meantime though, please try and stay active, stay healthy, and stay safe.
Put it into practice
Squat Thrust
Tuck Jump
Lateral Touches
Lunges
Ghosting
30secs work, then rest 15secs before moving to the next exercise.
Complete 3 to 5 sets through the circuit, with 2mins rest between each set.
Lunge Matrix (3 x 20reps)
Rear Foot Elevated Split Squat (3 x 12reps each leg)
Press-Up (3 x 30secs max reps)
Tricep Dip (3 x 10reps)
Stability Plank (3 x 30secs hold)
90secs to 120secs rest between sets.
Squat Jump (3 x 6reps)
Switching Lunge Jump (3 x 12reps)
Double Jump (3 x 6reps)
Plyo Push-Up (3 x 8reps)
Sprint on Spot (5secs sprint/10secs jog x2)
Quick Lunge
Ladder Footwork Patterns (lateral shuffle, 2 in/2 out, jump & switch)
30secs work, then rest 90secs before moving to the next exercise.
Complete 3 to 5 sets through the circuit, with 2mins rest between each set.
Ankle Flexion
Deep Squat
Hip Circles
Back Flex/Extend
Arm Circles
30secs work, then rest 5secs before moving to the next exercise.
Complete 4 sets through the circuit, with 60secs rest between each set.
We also have a great range of additional limited space workouts on the site for you to try out if you’re currently training from home:
Related content
Endurance for the squash player
Gary Nisbet discusses how crucial the element of endurance is for the squash player, explaining how to train it, which drills to include in a session and highlighting how professional players use it to get through tough five game matches.
Strength and power for the squash player
Gary explains how the elements differ, how to train them, specific drills and analyses how professional players use strength on court.
Speed and agility for the squash player
Gary explains what speed is, how to train it, specific drills and analyses how professional players use it to attack and defend.
Mobility for the squash player
Gary discusses the importance of mobility, how to train it, his favourite mobility drills and analyses how some of the pro players use it on court.
Ball skill development from home
In this brand new style content catered to these uncertain times, Jesse takes us through a set of exercises to do at home or in a confined space to help keep everyone’s racket and ball skills fine-tuned.
Let us know how you get on with the sessions, we’d love to hear your feedback!
Haven't seen the full series yet?
Gary Nisbet takes us through exercising at home or confined space and shows us how to make the most of training when you can’t get to a gym or on a court.
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