Stephen Curry put a twist into his offseason training this week.
The Golden State Warriors point guard was seen running up and down sand dunes during a trip to the United Arab Emirates in an Instagram video posted by Curry’s director of performance, Carl Berstrom.
In the footage, Curry was seen sprinting down and up a dune and doing sideways crossovers with Berstrom. These workouts are often used to build endurance and lower-body strength. Other star athletes who have used sand dune training during the offseason include Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller and Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Sand dune training was popularized by famed Australian holistic wellness coach Percy Wells Cerutty in the 1950s and 60s. Sand presents more resistance to running than a hard surface, while also reducing the impact, which is healthier for joints and lower-body muscles.
However, the soft surface also puts extra strain on the Achilles tendon, and those with a history of Achilles problems are advised to avoid sand dune training. Curry has not had an Achilles injury throughout his basketball career. Curry’s teammate, Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, who did not appear in the video, ruptured his Achilles in 2020.
For the 35-year-old Curry, the workout offers a challenging way to test his endurance as he enters his late 30s and his 15th NBA season, while limiting the impact on his aging joints.