During which phase of training is a high volume of work aimed at building general fitness?

The general preparation phase is designed to establish a strong foundation of fitness, focusing on increasing overall physical capabilities. This phase involves a high volume of work that typically includes varied exercises aimed at improving strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall conditioning. The objective is to prepare the athlete's body for more specific and intense training later on.

During this phase, the emphasis is on developing general fitness attributes that will serve as a base for more sport-specific skills and conditioning in subsequent phases of training. It is when athletes build their aerobic and anaerobic capacities, muscular strength, and other fundamental components of fitness. This varied training ensures that the athlete is well-rounded and able to handle the increased demands of more specialized training in later phases.