Crew life is physical, but carrying fenders and scrubbing decks is not the same as training. With little space, odd hours and a galley that never closes, it's easy to lose fitness over a season. This is the simple approach that works for me.
Short sessions beat no sessions
Twenty minutes of bodyweight work, squats, push-ups, lunges, planks and step-ups, needs no equipment and fits in a quiet corner or on the crew mess floor. Do it at the same time each day so it becomes habit. Always check with your head of department where and when training on board is allowed.
Get outdoors when you're ashore
Time off is the chance to do something completely different from the boat. Around Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol there is walking, climbing and via ferrata within easy reach. My guides to the Ronda and Gaucín routes are a good place to start, and I run guided via ferrata days.
Recovery counts
Sleep, water and food matter more than the workout. Drink plenty in the heat, stretch after long days on your feet, and look after your back when lifting heavy gear.
Fitness is a safety skill
Being fit makes you better at the emergency jobs: hauling a hose, helping someone out of the water, climbing a ladder in a hurry. That's part of why it matters to me as a safety trainer, and why it ties into looking after your mental health too.
