Despite suffering a foot injury which curtailed most of his 2011 AFL campaign, Claye Beams is beginning to reap the benefits of having spent most of his rehabilitation program in the gymnasium.

Beams was elevated permanently to the Lions’ senior list at the end of 2010, and played five of the team’s first six matches before being foot surgery in May prematurely forced him to the sidelines.

The 20 year-old midfielder/forward returned to full training just as the Lions’ 2011 season came to an end, so hit the track running once pre-season commenced.

“I’ve improved fitness-wise,” Beams told LIONS TV.

“I’d never run too many 3kms before, but at the Club you end up doing a fair few 3km time trials per year.”

“I’ve gotten it down more than minute which has been pretty good so far. I just need to get it down a little bit more…”

Beams’ other noticeable improvement has been in the gym where he has added 7kg to his frame since being drafted at the Club at the end of 2009.

“I came to the Club pretty skinny. I hadn’t touched a weight in my life,” he said.

“So I got a pretty rude awakening after coming the Club and realising just how much time you spend in the gym.”

“I came in weighing 76kg and I weigh around 83kg now.”

CLICK HERE to watch the full Beams interview on LIONS TV