Even after being one of the select few to have already experienced high-altitude training last year, Black says he has continued to reap great benefits from a return to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2012.
“I’ve still found it really refreshing this year,” Black told LIONS TV.
“It’s great to get out of Brisbane and do different things from mountain-biking to hiking up the mountain. It’s just a different environment.”
“It’s not often you get to train at an indoor gridiron stadium.”
Check out all the latest news and video from the team's Arizona training camp
This time around, Black has been joined by 17 of his Lions teammates - a considerable increase from the five players who journeyed to the west coast of the United States in 2011.
“It’s been really good to see the guys come over for the first time and enjoy the experience here,” Black said.
“The group has come back in pretty good shape and have worked really hard.”
Black did have the opportunity to experience a new ‘first’ during the trip, when the travelling party headed to Phoenix to watch a live NBA game between the hometown Suns and Chicago Bulls.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I was a big NBA fan growing up, so it was a fantastic experience,” he said.
“The athleticism of those guys is quite incredible, just awesome.”
“The game went into overtime too, so it was pretty exciting.”
