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Curlers' Full-Time Grind: More Than Just Sweeping
18 Feb
Summary
- Team GB curlers train daily year-round with ice and gym sessions.
- Strength and conditioning programs are tailored for elite curling performance.
- Curling demands intense physical fitness, including Olympic lifts and core strength.
The athletes representing Team GB in curling are engaged in a demanding, full-time profession.
From early July to late April, they adhere to a strict weekday schedule at the National Curling Academy in Stirling. This involves two daily two-hour ice sessions and gym workouts, with a strong emphasis on Olympic lifts like clean and jerks and snatches.
Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan note that their enhanced physicality sets them apart globally. Women's team members, like 2022 gold medallist Jen Dodds, exhibit impressive strength, lifting comparable weights to some male counterparts.
Rebecca Morrison emphasizes the critical role of core strength for balance on the ice. The athletes' days are further filled with tactical analysis, sports psychology, nutrition, and physiotherapy sessions.
Even during the May and June off-season, strength and conditioning continue, with a brief holiday period. Vicky Wright states that curling involves 44 weeks of dedication annually, underscoring its all-year-round nature.
