Bath Rugby players have been taking part in internal Iron Man-style fitness contests as they seek to reach peak physical condition in time for the start of the Guinness Premiership.

Despite the mercury in the city rising close to 30C, coaches at Bath have been showing no quarter to their charges since pre-season training got underway two weeks ago.

An unnamed back passed out during circuit training earlier this week, while other players admit to have been left retching by their exertions.

A 22-strong squad, including half a dozen Academy players, are now back in Bath and are being put through their paces. The squad will expand as players return from international duty and other close-season commitments.

As part of their Iron Man activities, the current training group have been flipping tyres and pulling sleighs laden with weights along grass courses.

But despite the high demands placed upon them by the Bath strength and conditioning team, the players insist they are enjoying themselves.

Tighthead prop Duncan Bell, who is facing a more demanding time than most after his wife gave birth two days into the pre-season, said: "Everything is fun-based. We play games and only at the end of them do you realise you have been running around non-stop for an hour.

"There is of course a competitive element, but it has been really fun."

Among the pacesetters at training, according to Bell, have been Olly Barkley and scrum-halves Michael Claassens and Scott Bemand.

Bath skills and defence coach Brad Davis said he believed a strong team spirit was being forged at the sessions, particularly in light of the club's close season woes.

"There's a mantra that one of the guys said during training. He said we want to be quiet off the pitch and loud on it," said Davis. "That's apt. We want to do our talking on the pitch.

"What I've seen is a huge amount of enthusiasm to put a few things right. Over the first couple of weeks the attitude has been outstanding. There is a real sense that we are all in it together.

"Everyone has come back with a definite attitude of us needing to work hard and crack on from day one.

"There is a real sense of optimism about what the Guinness Premiership 2009-10 holds for Bath Rugby."

Click here to see more pictures of Bath back in training.