Football Association of Serbia Sports Centre

The Football Association of Serbia installs Queenax functional training system in run up to FIFA World Cup 2018

The Serbian National Football Team has installed a bespoke Queenax functional training system in its gym in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup, being hosted in Russia this summer. 

The 200m2 gym, located in the “House of Football” at the Football Association of Serbia Sports Centre, has been totally reorganised since it was originally built in 2010, with approximately 70% of their existing machines being removed.

Marko Stojanovic, PhD, Sport Scientist - Strength & Conditioning, and Coach of the Serbian National Football Team, says: “Our previous facilities failed to have a dedicated functional fitness area and after careful consideration we decided to use the Queenax system, as we wanted the best possible product for the National Team. We are delighted with our decision.

“We already use Precor’s fantastic cardio equipment, including treadmills, adaptive motion trainers (AMT), bikes and Assault AirRunners, and the addition of the Queenax rig has really harmonised our training programme, and has totally transformed the gym. We now have the complete package and the Queenax has become an integral part of our everyday gym planning.”

The Queenax X2 700 Open Format unit, which took two days to install, was chosen due to its versatility. As a freestanding system (L 714cm x H 287cm x W 287cm) it can accommodate both functional and suspended body weight training. Whilst the open configuration allows group circuit training sessions, empowering the elite athletes to engage, compete and inspire each other.

The Queenax X2 700 equipment/accessories include; battle rope, rebounder, boxing shelf, mobile parallels, plyometric platform, flexibility/vertical/Olympic bars, a pull up rack, 30kg punch bag, horizontal shelf, stair attack, torso trainer, Strong++, TRX, up strength, suspension abs and handle extensions. The format has eight suspension units and a total of 18 functional and suspension stations.

The Serbian National Team are elite athletes, who play for many international clubs including; Nemanja Matic at Manchester United, Aleksandar Kolarov at Roma, Sergej Milinkovic Savic at Lazio, Branislav Ivanovic at Zenit, Dusan Tadic at Southampton, Aleksandar Mitrovic at Fulham and Dusko Tosic at Besiktas.  This caliber of player expects the best equipment and training facilities.

Coach, Stojanovic, continues: “The Serbian National Team love the accessories and apps provided with the Queenax, from dip bars and punch bags to super functional suspended training. It’s so versatile and creative.  As a coach, it’s fantastic to be able to incorporate soccer-specific drills into our core functional training, both during warm up and power training exercises. The adjustable configuration means I can train individuals with specific requirements but also coach groups. The unique design makes it perfect for both. I’ve trained up to 12 players at one time on the Queenax system; it’s a highly efficient solution.”

The players and the coaches of the Serbian National Team are excited to have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2018. It’s the first time in eight years that the National Team will play at this tournament and expectations are high. 

Stojanovic concludes: “The team are in excellent shape, both physically and mentally. The Queenax system has contributed in turning our elite players into a National Squad that we can all be proud of. The players enjoy their unique Queenax functional training sessions, it makes practice more enjoyable, more sport specific and enforces team spirit. Thanks to the Queenax system, we are ready to take on the world.”