NEW CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse has told his players their two-week high-altitude training camp in Arizona will be intense but not tortuous.

The Blues jetted to the United States on Friday, and Malthouse was in an upbeat mood, waving to reporters as he checked in alongside the players.

"It's pretty exciting," Carlton defender Michael Jamison said at Melbourne Airport.
 
"The boys are all pretty keen to get over there and obviously build our fitness base, but, if anything, just get to know the new coach and a few new faces around the club.

"It will be good to get reacquainted the boys after the break.

"The boys aren't so much looking forward to the flight, but certainly they're looking forward to getting over there."

Last year the Blues held a pre-season camp in the Middle East.

They spent two weeks training in extreme heat and sleeping in a purpose-built high altitude facility in Qatar, and then rounded out the camp with a number of activities in Abu Dhabi.

But Malthouse, who oversaw a number of camps in Arizona during his time at the helm of Collingwood, insisted that Carlton head to the USA this time.

"He said it's going to be mainly about building our fitness base and learn a few things about the new game structure," Jamison said.

"But it's certainly not going to be an old-school commando session where everyone's just getting through the days.

"It's going to be pretty well balanced. No doubt we'll get fitter, but there's not going to be too much torture."

Malthouse only oversaw his first Carlton training session on Monday, so the players have not had a lot to do with him yet.

"Guys have spoken to him throughout the off-season when they've floated through the club, and certainly over the last few days," Jamison said.

"But this will be the guys' first chance to probably sit down and have a proper conversation with him."

New assistant coach Brad Green has also headed to Arizona.

The former Melbourne skipper looked buoyant as he arrived at Melbourne Airport decked out in Carlton gear.