Hello! I am currently working on improving my overall level of fitness, with an eye toward being more competitive on the ultimate frisbee field. If I get leaner in the process, all the better.

While playing ultimate, it seems to me that cardiovascular fitness is very important, as games can last a while. Speed, agility, and jumping ability also count for a lot since the game basically revolves around sprinting in the open field, quick changes of direction, and leaping to snatch the disc out of the air. Core strength and upper body strength also come into play when you're trying to make long passes down the field, and in terms of avoiding injury on contact with the ground after diving catches.

Do any of you traineo folk have experience training for field sports (ultimate, soccer, rugby, etc)? What workout routines do you follow to get the right balance of endurance and explosiveness? Do you have different routines for off-season/pre-season/in-season training?

I've known several ultimate players who have said that plyometric training can be great for adding power to your running and jumping, but I've also heard that the training can be really hard on your body (especially knees). Any experience with plyos around here? Are plyometric training and traditional weight training complementary? How should they be combined in a workout routine: plyos and lifting during a single workout, or alternating days during the week, or should they not be combined at all?

Thanks for any help,
/au