The 28-man squad, along with the wider training squad, got into some hard work yesterday at its Logan Park base, testing for recovery, agility, strength and speed.
Moore said the next three weeks was an important period as the team looked to put down foundations for the coming season.
He said he was impressed with the team's fitness last year, but felt the levels could be increased.
"We were finishing games well last season but we are looking to take it to another level. We're looking at squeezing another 10% out of them [players]," Moore said.
"It is going to be a very, very taxing next three and a-half weeks."
The Highlanders kick off next year's Super 14 with a match against the Brumbies at Carisbrook on February 13.
Moore said the side would work on game planning before Christmas as he wanted to get players into the game structure they would be following.
Last season, game-related work did not start until after Christmas.
The side would have two weeks off over Christmas then come together on January 5, with the first pre-season game on January 23.
The players from outside Dunedin had all settled in well and were raring to go, Moore said.
"There is some real resolve among the group to do better than last year."
Trainer Matt Dallow, along with a couple of other trainers, would oversee the conditioning work for the next three weeks.
Outside back Ben Smith had had to have a screw inserted in a foot he injured in the Air New Zealand Cup and was restricted at training, but Moore said he should be available for the Super 14.
Hawkes Bay prop Clint Newland, who missed the Air NZ Cup with a shoulder injury, was fit and training.
The side's All Blacks should be back with the side in early January.
Meanwhile, six Otago players have been included in the Highlanders' wider training squad.
Prop Keith Cameron, who is also the team's scrummaging coach, hooker Peter Mirrielees, loose forward Paul Grant, first five-eighth Chris Noakes, midfield back Aaron Bancroft and winger Karne Hesketh are in the squad.
Also in the wider squad are Southland halfback Scott Cowan and utility back Pehi Te Whare.
The players in the wider squad train with the team and provide injury cover.
