Zooming in on how Preston North End are staying fit during football's shutdown

Mention the word ‘zoom’ before the Covid-19 lockdown and many people would instantly have thought of the three-flavoured ice lolly.
By Dave Seddon
Published 14th May 2020, 16:45 BST
Updated 14th May 2020, 16:51 BST
PNE fitness coach Tom Little leads a stretch session at Springfields during pre-season training last summer - sessions like this are having to be done remotely at the momentPNE fitness coach Tom Little leads a stretch session at Springfields during pre-season training last summer - sessions like this are having to be done remotely at the moment
PNE fitness coach Tom Little leads a stretch session at Springfields during pre-season training last summer - sessions like this are having to be done remotely at the moment

These days the Zoom video conference system is being used extensively to keep people in touch, in business and socially.

For Preston North End’s squad, they log into it for a weekly group training session which is tough going to say the least.

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While the remainder of their fitness programme is done individually, the Wednesday morning strength class is one they do together.

Josh Harrop has a shot in PNE's defeat against QPR - the last game they played back on March 7Josh Harrop has a shot in PNE's defeat against QPR - the last game they played back on March 7
Josh Harrop has a shot in PNE's defeat against QPR - the last game they played back on March 7

For a few minutes the banter flows between them remotely and then they are put on mute while the hard work is done.

North End midfielder Josh Harrop told the Lancashire Post: “On a Wednesday we all get to see one another over Zoom when we do our strength work.

“When we log in from home we’ve got a couple of minutes when we can terrorise each other with some banter, then we all get put on mute.

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“That is when the hard work starts and it is a tough session to say the least.

“We do a lot of weight exercises – squats, lunges, explosive stuff.

“There’s some upper body and core work. When we are doing the 60 press-up exercise it is interesting to see a few of the lad’s faces.

“It is work we have to do to make sure we come back with a good level of fitness.

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“We’ve got a programme to do individually at home but those group sessions are good to see the lads and have a sense of training together.”

Harrop attempts to get a bit of variety into the sessions he does at home.

“We have a programme to do which changes from time to time,” said Harrop.

“There are a certain amount of miles we have to cover a week with our longer running and then you have the sprints to do.

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“I try to vary it, doing some running one day and then focus more on the gym work the following day.

“It makes for a bit of change and is a good challenge.

“The thing I obviously miss is playing football and the training we do.

“Just so I can kick a football around – I bought a small set of nets for the garden.

“At least I can have a few shots, enjoy the feel of kicking a football.

“Hopefully it won’t be long before we can get back and do some work on the pitch as a squad again.”

Related topics:ZoomLancashire Post