THE ADDITION of a Pilates instructor, extra yoga work and an early return to pre-season is all part of Steven May's plan to bounce back to full fitness in 2020.
May has been back alongside younger Melbourne teammates for the past fortnight as he attempts to put a horror debut season at the Demons behind him.
Restricted to eight games in 2019 with groin and hamstring setbacks, the former Gold Coast captain has started an individual program to ensure he's capable of a full AFL season in defence.
May was not required back at Gosch's Paddock until November 18 but has already started running and completing work in the gym after asking for guidance from club fitness staff in August.
"I came in and saw the rehab coach and said my break looks like this, when do you want me in and who can I see?" May told AFL Nation in August.
"I've got a new Pilates coach, I've got some yoga stuff and cross-training stuff."
May put in a power of work last pre-season after arriving unfit, only to injure his hamstring on a training camp in January.
He was then suspended for round one for an off-the-ball bump in the JLT Community Series before tearing his groin three quarters into his first AFL match of the season in round two. He then missed the following 10 weeks.
Back-to-back hamstring injuries upon his comeback in the second half of the season then ended his campaign after round 21.
Steven May endured a horror 2019 season (Photo: Quinn Rooney)
"As I was trying to get fit, my body just couldn't keep up with the demands," May said.
"I was probably blaming other people, but Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) sat me down and hit me between the eyes and (said) 'This is your fault, you've got to get yourself out of it'.
"The most frustrating (thing), I got myself really fit and in the best position I've been in and then I do a hammy, then I do another one and I was like 'Why is this happening to me?'
"I think when you're playing catch up all year something has to give."
May has previously admitted he'll never win the club's time trial but will focus on a running program under new fitness boss Darren Burgess that suits his attacking position in defence.
"My running is a lot different – very role specific running," the 27-year-old told the club's website last month.
"A lot of repeat efforts, like two or three quick efforts then you walk for a bit rather than just running 1km – that's just not what we do in a game.
"There's still an aspect of that certain base line endurance that you need to play the game, but I think to be the best defender, being able to maximise those high intensity efforts will allow me to stop a forward getting the ball."
May signed a five-year deal at the Demons ahead of 2019 after 123 matches in eight seasons at the Suns.
