An athletic camp Alfamar trip is one of the best options in Europe for clubs with many throwers. Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort is the largest sports complex on the Algarve coast, located right by the sandy beach of Praia da Falésia.
This article explains the resort, the athletics facilities and why throwers love it.
Athletic camp Alfamar at a Glance
Here are the key facts for a athletic camp Alfamar trip, so you can compare it quickly with other training camps:
- Accommodation: 4-star hotel
- Training: Athletics centre
- Meals: Full board
- Price: on request, depending on dates, group size and room types
What Makes Alfamar Special
Alfamar is a four-star resort with a spa, outdoor and indoor pools, a gym and much more. It has its own athletics arena as well as football, volleyball and handball pitches.
The resort suits both elite athletes and recreational groups, but its real speciality is throwing: there is a separate throwing area with four throwing cages, and the gym is large with a lot of free weights.
Accommodation by the Atlantic
Groups can stay in single, double or three- to four-bed rooms, either in hotel rooms or apartments. For an extra fee, rooms facing the Atlantic can be booked.
All rooms have satellite TV, air conditioning and room service. The camp runs on full board.
Training at the Resort’s Own Arena
All training takes place at the resort’s own athletics arena, about 500 metres from the hotel. Next to the arena is a larger gym adapted to athletes.
The separate throwing area lies right next to the hotel, which makes it easy to schedule extra throwing sessions. For sprinters, jumpers and runners, the arena covers all the usual needs, and the beach and surrounding area offer variety for easy runs.
A Complete Sports Environment
Because everything is inside one resort, the group spends very little time on transport. That leaves more time for training, recovery and team activities, and makes it easy for coaches to keep the group together.
Injury Prevention on Camp
A sudden increase in training volume is the most common cause of small injuries on athletics camps. Athletes go from cold-weather training at home to fast tracks, warm weather and two sessions a day.
Build volume gradually over the first two days, include thorough warm-ups with mobility and drills, and limit the number of maximal sprints and jumps. Encourage athletes to report niggles early so the coach can adjust the plan.
Plenty of water, good sleep and sensible footwear on hard surfaces go a long way to keeping everyone healthy until the last session.
Building Team Spirit on Training Camps
Athletics is often an individual sport, but a training camp turns a club into a team. Sprinters, jumpers, throwers and distance runners share meals, rooms and long days at the track, and they learn to support each other’s events.
Plan a few short activities that add to the week without taking energy away from training: a walk through the town, a beach visit on the light day, a quiz evening or a mixed relay at the end of camp. Older athletes can take responsibility for younger ones, which builds leadership.
Those shared memories often keep young athletes in the sport for years.
How to Plan a Week at an Athletic Camp
A successful athletic camp balances quality and recovery. Most groups work well with two sessions a day for the first part of the week, a lighter day in the middle, and a final block of specific work before the trip home.
- Day 1: a gentle session to wake up the legs after travel, with drills and strides.
- Days 2-3: technical work in the morning for jumpers, throwers and sprinters, and aerobic or circuit work in the afternoon.
- Day 4: one session only, followed by rest, mobility and a group activity.
- Days 5-6: event-specific quality: speed, approach runs, throws in full and tempo runs.
- Final day: a short session, testing or a fun relay, followed by a debrief.
Write the plan on a shared sheet so that athletes, parents and coaches all know what to expect.
Setting Goals for the Training Camp
Before the trip, decide what the camp should achieve. An early-season camp might focus on volume and technique, while a spring camp just before competitions can include more speed and event-specific quality.
Ask every athlete to set one or two personal targets for the week: a technical cue in the long jump approach, a consistent rhythm over hurdles, or a set of tempo runs at a given pace. Review them halfway through and again on the last day.
Clear goals keep the group focused and make it easier to measure whether the camp was a success.
Coach Checklist for Athletics Training Camps
Preparation makes the difference between a stressful trip and a productive one. Before you leave, check the details that affect training every single day.
- Confirm which events can be trained at the stadium, especially throws such as hammer and discus.
- Ask about track times, gym access and whether equipment can be borrowed on site.
- Pack spikes, spare spike pins, tape measures, cones, mini hurdles and a stopwatch.
- Plan sessions for bad weather or for days when the track is busy.
- Agree on sleep, meal and phone routines with the whole group.
With those points covered, you can focus on coaching and let the athletes focus on training.
Budgeting and Booking an Athletic Camp
Prices for athletic camps usually depend on travel dates, group size, room types and track time, so offers are normally given on request. Planning early gives you the best choice of hotels and flights.
- Book well in advance, especially for Easter and other popular weeks.
- Confirm which events can be trained, so that throwers and jumpers are not disappointed.
- Choose larger rooms to reduce the cost per athlete if the group is young.
- Start fundraising early so that everyone in the club can travel.
- Check the travel guarantee and insurance before paying a deposit.
Good planning makes the camp easier to repeat year after year.
Recovery and Nutrition at an Athletic Camp
Two sessions a day on a fast track puts real stress on muscles and tendons, and athletes who are not used to the volume can pick up small injuries quickly. That is why recovery should be planned with the same care as the sessions themselves.
Full board helps a lot: the group eats at regular times and the coach can make sure that athletes refuel after training. Encourage a proper breakfast, a snack and water straight after each session, and a balanced dinner with carbohydrates and protein.
Build in mobility, easy jogging and stretching on the lighter day, and protect sleep with a fixed lights-out time. A rested athlete gets far more out of the last days of camp than a tired one.
More Training Camps and Sports Camps
If you are comparing destinations, take a look at our overview of athletic camps in Europe. Clubs that travel with several teams can also explore our football camps and other sports camps. Related guides:
- Athletics Camp Nicosia: Stay Inside the Allegra GSP Sport Centre
- Athletics Camp Båstad: Summer Training Next to the Stadium
- Athletic Camp Lloret de Mar: Hotel Samba and a 400m Track
Athletic camp Alfamar: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alfamar good for throwers?
Yes. It has a separate throwing area with four throwing cages and a large free-weights gym.
How far is the athletics arena from the hotel?
About 500 metres.
Can we book sea-view rooms?
Yes, rooms facing the Atlantic are available for an extra fee.
Which beach is Alfamar on?
Praia da Falésia on the Algarve coast.
Final Thoughts
A athletic camp Alfamar week gives your group the right mix of quality facilities, full board and a destination that athletes remember. Request a tailored offer with your dates and group size, and start planning a training camp that moves the whole club forward.