Hawthorn boarded a plane bound for Mooloolaba on Monday, ready for nine days of intense training at pre-season camp.

While the training program is set to be similar to their regular routine at the Ricoh Centre, Elite Performance Manager Andrew Russell believes the change of environment will help the boys step their intensity up a notch.

“We know the physiological benefits of the heat, and the boys get to train in an environment that they really enjoy.

“Because they are away in such a good environment, their training intensity is upwards of 10 percent greater than it would be if they were just training in their normal environment.”

After a lengthy off season, Russell believes the camp will be a great opportunity for the boys to get back into a solid and consistent training routine.

“They haven’t been living, thinking and training like elite athletes for the last 10 weeks, so the main goal is to get them back into that zone of being an elite athlete again.”

Read: Pre-season fixture announced

With several new recruits in Hawthorn’s ranks, the camp is as much about team bonding as it is about training.

“Another great part is that the boys get to know each other better,” said Russell.

“We’ve got a number of new players in our system. [The camp] is a fantastic opportunity for them to spend quality time together, so relationships build as a result.”

To stay updated on all things camp related, be sure to visit the Hawks' Pre-Season Camp Hub.