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Fitness


Mix up your rugby training regime

Posted 67 days ago

FANCY A change from your regular rugby drills? Well, why not vary your training regime this summer by trying other sports. It’s a great way of improving your fitness and skills for rugby – and helps to avoid monotony setting in. The pros have tested out these four sports so why don’t you give them a go too…
Speed golf

Wrestling

Boxing

Basketball (well,…

How to perfect your gym technique

Posted 77 days ago

Make sure you reap the maximum benefits in the gym with our instructional videos explaining the correct technique for four key weights exercises…
THE BENCH PRESS

THE DEAD-LIFT

THE OVERHEAD PRESS

THE POWER CLEAN

Maintain Speed and Sharpness

Posted 85 days ago

It’s important to keep on top of your speed for the end of the season, says Darren Grewcock…
Quick feet into pass
Working in small 5m grids, combine high-knee, quick-feet movements with quick repetition of low passes off the ground to a standing target.

Perform quick-foot drills at max speed for 8-10 seconds at a time
Immediately do 8-10 passes off the ground, off…

Burn off the extra festive pounds

Posted 137 days ago

Serious aerobic work will help you get your cardio fitness back, says Darren Grewcock
Treadmill Intervals
Alternating between inclines on a treadmill is less punishing on your joints than road running, and it’s easier to regulate your heart-rate.

Start walking on an incline at 6kmh moving from 2-8° for ten minutes
Then work in sequences of two-minute runs at 4° followed by…

Be the best 10 you can be – tips from our Kicking Coach

Posted 143 days ago

No matter what level you play at, there’s a range of kicks that every team should have in its locker. Dan Cottrell of betterrugbycoaching.com explains what they are and when to use them.
You can’t always make touch with a kick and sometimes you don’t want to anyway. Kicking into touch gives the opposition the throw-in and so, in all likelihood,…

Save your season

Posted 166 days ago

Sweat test

Are you an underperforming amateur rugby club looking to kick your poor form into touch? Well help is at hand as Rugby World and sports nutrition experts, Gatorade, are looking to save your season.
Rugby World have teamed up with Gatorade to offer one lucky amateur club the chance to turn their season around through professional coaching sessions and expert nutrition…

Shape up for Sevens Rugby

Posted 178 days ago

The new-look HSBC Sevens World Series kicks off in Australia on 25-26 November. Sevens players are placed under intense physical stress over the two days, and preparation is the key to success, as England’s strength and conditioning expert Brett Davison explains…
“The England Sevens squad had a five-week break to recover from last season, during which they had a total break…

Learn how to maintain your Lean Mass

Posted 217 days ago

Four- to six-week dedicated spells will help you stay lean up top, writes Darren Grewcock
Bench Press
The daddy of upper-body exercises, this is a good test of where you’re at, particularly in your chest- and shoulder-strength levels.

Remember we want muscle growth, not just out and out strength
Therefore, ensure you can perform a nice, full range of movement on every rep,…

How to train hard without too much strain on your body

Posted 233 days ago

Cardio combinations and circuits have a minimal impact on the body, says Darren Grewcock

Cross-trainer & Press-ups
Combining sets of 30-second reps on the cross-trainer – sprint-steady-sprint-steady – with press-ups on the floor can leave you feeling nauseous. But work through it!

* Set cross-trainer at moderate resistance so you can keep up speed
* Vary sprints. Use arm rods for some and not for others
* Only take 30 seconds’ rest when you do your press-ups. Swap quickly

Having asthma as a player won’t hold you back

Posted 246 days ago

Having asthma doesn’t mean you can’t be as fit as the next athlete. Ireland team doctor Eanna Falvey gives you the low-down
Baseline asthma can be related to an allergy to pollen or dust, whereas exercise-induced asthma is brought on by highly intense physical activity, especially in cold weather. So, everyone involved in winter sports should be screened for exercise-induced asthma…

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