Physical preparation: building capacities that are stronger than constraints
In my latest YouTube video with Clem Padel(watch it here), I meet him in his practice in Wavre and, from the very first minutes, the tone is set: in padel, many players underestimate the basics of strengthening + routine.
Clem recaps with a simple image: overload injuries occur when your capacities (tendons, muscles, mobility) remain below the constraints you impose in a match. Periostitis, epicondylitis, shoulder pain, Achilles tendinopathy… we all know someone who suffers from it.
His message isn’t “stop playing” – on the contrary. He explains that a complete stoppage often results in a drop in capacity, and that returning becomes more risky. The idea: adjust the load (play a little less), while stimulating the tissues with targeted renfo. We also talked about a very concrete point: the abdominal belt. For Clem, it’s the most underrated “muscle” in padel, because it’s the one that enables the transfer of force between the legs and the upper body on a bandeja, vibora or smash.
Preventing injuries: retrieval, healthy living and false positives
What I liked was that we stayed away from miracle recipes. Yes, electrolytes can help some players who sweat a lot, but Clem always goes back to the “hygiene of life” trio: sleep, drink and eat properly. On the subject of collagen, he admits that he’s not “ultra knowledgeable” on the subject, but warns against the hype and reminds us that there are often plenty of levers to activate before spending 40-50 € a month.
Another debate that comes up all the time in the club: pre-match stretching. Clem is clear: static stretching just before playing is not the best choice. He prefers a dynamic warm-up and “active” mobilizations. And if you want a complete routine, check out my video on warming up and stretching in padel with Clem, followed by more leisurely stretching after your game (or later in the evening) if your goal is retrieval or increased mobility.
To remember:
- Reduce the frequency of your games a little if the pain sets in, but keep up an appropriate level of activity.
- Priority is given to strengthening legs + sheathing, then shoulders and calves according to your profile.
- Hydrate “before” a tournament, not just during it.
- Dynamic warm-up first; static stretching later.
On grit, social networks and level in Belgium: “real” padel
We also turned our attention to the mental side of tournaments: how to avoid spinning out after a fault, how to prepare for a busy weekend, and how to keep a positive internal attitude (“the next one’s in”, rather than “don’t miss”). I shared my own return experience with the cold baths: beyond the recovery, it gave me a little boost on the court, that feeling of “I can take it”.
Finally, Clem talks unfiltered about social networks: create content, yes, but don’t create an image that puts you under pressure. And when it comes to the current level in Belgium, her view is pragmatic: the higher you go, the more the difference is made on the details… because the best do everything “a little better”: technique, tactics, physical and mental.
If you’d like to find out more about her approach, Clem has compiled her schedules and resources on her website clempadel.com.
