Jamie Mackie believes he is one step ahead of his team-mates after QPR boss Mark Hughes called on his squad to bulk up for the run-in.
Hughes felt his team struggled to deal with the physical side of the game on Saturday as they were beaten by fellow strugglers Blackburn at Ewood Park and as a result extra gym sessions have been ordered.
Mackie was one of the few players to emerge from the defeat with any credit as he came off the bench to score twice to get the R's back into the contest on a ground where he broke his leg only a year ago.
The Scottish international striker is now convinced his hard work during his lengthy stint out of action doing weights and other non-football related exercises will stand him in good stead for the end of season battle ahead against relegation.
Mackie told the Fulham Chronicle: "When you spend a long time on the sidelines like I did, you get to work on other parts of your game and I did spend a lot of time working in the gym.
"I'm feeling the benefits now. I'm much fitter and stronger than before, and at a time of season when players are starting to tire, I am still feeling really fresh.
"What the gaffer said was fair enough, but when you are playing teams in and around you at the bottom, it is always going to be a battle, and we have to do better."