With an international and NRL playing background, Masada Iosefa has no doubt taken part in his fair share of tough training sessions.
But after just one session of pre-season training with the Rockhampton Leagues Club Capras, the club's latest signing said he'd had a huge fitness wake-up call.
"I did my first session on Monday and the only thing I can say is I struggled, which is an understatement," Iosefa said.
"My fitness needs a pick-up, it's kind of like a prison almost, what we're doing.
"I thought I was dying, it was a big wake-up call fitness-wise.
"Hopefully as weeks go on I'll do better and catch up to where the guys are at."
The 1.79m tall Samoan hooker's comments prove just how hard new Capras coach Kim Williams is working his squad in preparation for the 2016 Queensland Intrust Super Cup season.
After falling short of the mark over the past few years, the Capras hope to claw their way back up the ladder next season, and if Iosefa can get his fitness back on track, he may just be the key to their success.
Iosefa, who grew up in Mount Druitt, formerly played for the Penrith Panthers and West Tigers, while also gaining selection in the 2013 Samoa Rugby League World Cup side before being sidelined with injury.
With an abundance of professional rugby league experience, the 27-year-old said he hoped to live up to expectations on the field.
"I was looking to pursue teams overseas but I had visa problems, so I pursued one of the boys I played with, Tarrant Mariner, and was fortunate enough to get an opportunity and hopefully I can repay the Capras by doing well for the club," Iosefa said.
"For myself, I just want to do well and get what I didn't get overseas.
I want to do well for the club and help the club finish better than this year.
"Hopefully we can climb up the ladder and make the finals.
"I've done what I've done in the past and I don't want to rely on that. I just want to start fresh and try and help as best I can.
"The club has been great; they gave me an opportunity when no one else would."
Coach Williams said he was more than happy to give Iosefa a run.
"It sort of came out of the blue. He contacted us through one of our players (Tarrant Mariner) who he'd spent time with at Manly.
"I didn't see it coming but it certainly made my week last week.
"He's great for us in a number of ways. He's a senior player in what still is a very young squad, he's a player of quality, and he can cover a number of positions.
"We're very pleased to have him on board; he ticks a lot of boxes for us and will prove to be an outstanding signing for us throughout the year.
"You can't buy 10 years at the top level of the game in. We've been very lucky to