On his third consecutive high altitude camp in Boulder, defender Michael Hibberd is finding the conditions just as challenging as ever before.

Hibberd was part of the club’s inaugural camp to the region back in 2012 and was selected to go on this trip based on previous benefits from the training.

Following a busy day one schedule the 24-year-old said the altered conditions still had a significant affect on his training.

“It doesn’t get any easier at all, they are always tough and I think that is why we come here every year to test ourselves out,” Hibberd said.

“With the hikes even though you are walking and not going a quick pace it is just as hard as the running you would be doing back home because it is at altitude and is taxing on the legs so it is hard work.

“It is definitely not like home, the altitude even gets you in the gym and so that was tough as well as the hike.

“It is tough back home but it was even tougher here but to get into a new environment in the gym that is there was good fun.”

Hibberd is part of a smaller group that is currently taking part in the two-week intensive camp in Boulder.

He is currently joining captain Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker in the training program to end 2014.

“There is a group of four of us and we are all probably pretty similar on fitness levels and in the gym as well,” Hibberd said.

“It is a good group to have as we push through it together.”

“To have a small group, you stay a little bit tighter so over the next two weeks we will see how we go together but it has been really good for the first few days.”