An athletic camp Tenerife trip gives your athletes optimal outdoor conditions all year round. Playa de las Américas is Tenerife’s most popular seaside resort, and the hotel is only 300 metres from the local athletics track.
Here is everything you need to know.
Athletic camp Tenerife at a Glance
Here are the key facts for a athletic camp Tenerife trip, so you can compare it quickly with other training camps:
- Accommodation: 4-star hotel
- Training: Athletics centre
- Meals: Full board
- Accommodation: Located just 400 metres from the beach, Hotel Zentral Center offers a private outdoor pool and rooftop hot tub, as well as a sauna.
- Training: You will train at the city’s local athletics facility, which is only 300 metres from the hotel. Tenerife has optimal weather for year-round training conditions. In addition to your training, you have access to an ice swimming pool, gym and
- Price: on request, depending on dates, group size and room types
Why Tenerife for an Athletic Camp?
Tenerife is one of Europe’s sunniest islands and offers good weather throughout the year, which makes it a favourite for winter and early-spring camps. Playa de las Américas has developed sandy beaches, and along the seafront the Fañabé area offers shopping and restaurants.
Golf courses are nearby for coaches or parents who want a round on the lighter day.
Hotel Zentral Center
The hotel is just 400 metres from the beach and has an outdoor pool, a rooftop hot tub and a sauna. Rooms are modern with air conditioning and a bathroom with shower and toilet.
All meals are served at the hotel restaurant with full board, and the hotel also offers car and bike hire.
Training Facilities
The group trains at the town’s local athletics facility, only 300 metres from the hotel. In addition to the track, athletes have access to an ice bath, a gym and equipment to borrow.
The ice bath is a valuable recovery tool after hard speed or plyometric sessions, and the short distance means athletes can rest in their rooms until just before training.
Training Through the Winter
For clubs from northern Europe, a camp in Tenerife in the dark months can transform the season. Athletes train in spikes outdoors, test their speed and return home motivated.
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.
Event Groups and Session Design
Mixed athletics groups need careful planning, because sprinters, jumpers, throwers and endurance runners all have different needs. A simple solution is to share the warm-up and drills, then split into event groups for the main part of the session.
- Sprints and hurdles: acceleration, rhythm and short speed work with full recovery.
- Jumps: approach runs, take-off drills and short runway jumps.
- Throws: technical drills, standing throws and full throws when facilities allow.
- Endurance: tempo runs, intervals and easy runs on varied terrain.
End with a shared cool-down so the whole group finishes together.
Why Warm-Weather Training Works
For clubs from northern Europe, the main reason to travel is simple: training outdoors in warmth during months when the track at home is cold, wet or covered in snow. Warm muscles tolerate speed work better, technical sessions can run longer, and athletes can practise in spikes instead of trainers.
A week of focused outdoor training also gives a clear picture of each athlete’s form. Coaches can test sprint times, approach runs and throwing distances in good conditions, and use the results to plan the rest of the season.
The change of environment also refreshes motivation. Athletes return home with new energy and a clearer sense of purpose.
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.
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:
- Athletic Camp Albir: Albir Garden Resort on the Costa Blanca
- Athletic Camp Albufeira: New Tartan Track on the Algarve
- Athletic Camp Alfamar: The Algarve’s Largest Sports Resort
Athletic camp Tenerife: Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the track from the hotel?
Only about 300 metres.
Is Tenerife good for winter training?
Yes, it offers optimal weather for training all year round.
What recovery facilities are there?
An ice bath and gym at the facility, and a sauna and rooftop hot tub at the hotel.
Can we borrow equipment?
Yes, equipment can be borrowed at the facility.
Final Thoughts
A athletic camp Tenerife 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.