PRE-SEASON this year has been all about variety for the Western Bulldogs.

They've run time trials at Princes Park, they've completed swimming sessions at Victoria University and they've torn up the turn at Whitten Oval.

They've even taken their training from the Elite Learning Centre to Phoenix, Arizona.

On Tuesday, the Dogs ventured bayside as they were put through an arduous boxing session at Port Melbourne's BoxingFit gymnasium. 

"What we've been trying to do with the pre-season is get a lot of variety in it, and keep moving the players around to keep them mentally stimulated as much as the physical load," head of physical conditioning Bill Davoren told westernbulldogs.com.au.

"One of the reasons we're here was to get off-site, but it's also a fantastic facility and there are so many different options we can do as a group."

The players were put through boxing drills, a spin session on the bikes, sparring with club boxing coach Tim Smith and some static football skills during the hour and a half session at the double-level gym.

Davoren said boxing was an intense form of training with plenty of benefits because it promoted endurance and strength, and injured players could also participate.

"It's very much power-orientated, can be quite explosive and has an impact on their aerobic fitness as well," he said.

"We're getting a double-edged sword and, with this facility, we're also able to do the cycling and the handball skills.

"Boxing is an old-school type of training and a lot of the clubs are using it, but it's one that I think has a real impact on their fitness levels.

"We can also manage the rehab guys as well as the conditioning group at the same time, and I think that's one of the great things about it.

"We get the large group together and we can all work together."

The Bulldogs headed off to the pool at VU after their session and had an afternoon at Whitten Oval involving a strength and endurance circuit planned to round out the tough day.

Davoren said the club would look to use BoxingFit "once a month" from now on, and would more than likely continue to hold sessions at the facility during the season next year.