Al Hilal’s players have been using air-filled resistance umbrellas during training in Austria as part of their preparations for the 2026-27 season.
The Saudi club is continuing its overseas camp under Italian manager Simone Inzaghi, with the squad pictured in training on Saturday morning, just days before the camp concludes.
Images published by Al Hilal’s official account on X attracted particular attention because several players were shown running with small umbrellas attached to their bodies. Despite their appearance, the equipment is not being used to protect the players from the sun.
The devices are known as resistance umbrellas. They are secured to each player during running exercises and collect more air as the player moves, creating additional resistance and forcing them to work harder.
Such drills are designed to improve a range of physical qualities. They can help players develop greater acceleration, increase explosive power, improve maximum speed and strengthen the muscles in the legs and thighs. The exercises are also intended to refine running mechanics.
Coaches often favour resistance umbrellas over conventional weights because the load changes naturally according to the player’s speed. As the runner accelerates, the umbrella catches more air and the resistance increases automatically.
That means the equipment acts as a form of self-adjusting training tool, changing the intensity of the exercise without requiring further intervention from a coach or another member of staff.
Al Hilal will play Al Ahli of Qatar on Monday in their fourth and final friendly of the pre-season camp in Austria. The match is part of the club’s preparations for the new campaign.
The Saudi Arabian side have played three matches so far during their stay abroad, winning two and losing one.
They opened with a 2-1 victory over Austrian club Sturm Graz before beating South African side Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0. Their most recent fixture ended in a 2-0 defeat by Algerian club MC Alger.
The training camp is being overseen by Inzaghi, who is preparing Al Hilal for the start of the new football season. Saturday’s session provided the latest indication of the physical work being carried out as the club approaches the end of its preparations in Austria.
The resistance equipment formed one of the most notable features of the training photographs released by the club, offering supporters a glimpse of the methods being used to improve the squad’s speed, power and running efficiency before competitive action begins.
