Most rugby players don’t need more training hacks they need to get the basics right. I break down the five things that build real rugby fitness...

In this episode:

00:00 Rugby fitness is simple
01:31 Consistency beats gimmicks
02:33 Skylar’s Zone 2 turnaround
05:37 The five essentials
06:19 Aerobic fitness
07:34 Strength training
10:51 Speed work
12:48 Power training
15:41 Movement and mobility
17:30 Stack the basics
18:10 Wrap up

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Rugby preseason gym training requires a smart approach to balance strength work and pitch fatigue.
In this episode, we explore how to adapt your weight training programme during rugby preseason so you can keep making progress without burning out. Managing fatigue, reducing unnecessary volume, and handling post-training soreness are essential for any amateur rugby player looking to stay competitive. By focusing on minimal effective dose weight training, you will maintain your gym habits, protect your recovery, and arrive on the pitch feeling fresh and powerful.

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0:00 — Intro & about Rugby Muscle
1:06 — Why preseason doesn't have to stop gym progress
4:04 — Reduce volume without losing key work
7:11 — Managing soreness during preseason
11:18 — Protecting recovery between rugby sessions
14:20 — Tracking & continuing to make progress

If you found this guide helpful, please give this video a thumbs up, subscribe to the channel for more rugby strength and conditioning content, and let us know in the comments: what is your biggest challenge when balancing gym work and preseason rugby training?

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Discover why hybrid training isn't a new trend for rugby players, but rather a fundamental aspect of the sport they've been excelling at for decades!

In this video, I get into the inherent hybrid nature of rugby, explaining how players naturally develop a diverse range of physical attributes that make them incredibly versatile athletes.

We'll explore how rugby demands a unique blend of strength, speed, endurance, and mobility, preparing athletes for almost any physical challenge life throws their way.


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tags:hybrid training, rugby fitness, hybrid athlete, rugby muscle, rugby player training, what is hybrid training, hybrid athlete definition, rugby strength and conditioning, physical preparation rugby, rugby cross training, hybrid athlete lifestyle, fitness trends, athletic development, sports performance, jiujitsu training, functional fitness, turf games, crossfit rugby, rugby podcast, first responders fitness

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Are you a rugby player wondering how to have your best ever rugby pre-season? This video reveals the four crucial priorities you need to focus on to truly prepare your body and improve your game, ensuring you're not just surviving, but thriving when the season kicks off. Stop the endless suffering and learn how to train smarter, not just harder, for peak performance.

Many players approach pre-season with the mindset that every session must be brutal, leading to exhaustion rather than improvement. This often results in neglecting crucial aspects like speed development, proper lifting technique, and skill acquisition. Instead, pre-season should be about strategic preparation and building a robust foundation. We'll dive into how to avoid common rugby conditioning mistakes, optimise your rugby nutrition, and focus on individual skill development to ensure you're at your absolute best for the upcoming season.

Buy the Learn to Tackle program and get Wrestling for Rugby and Solo Tackle Prep for free, use code "TOM" at checkout:


The Art & Science Of Coaching The Tackle

Take our comprehensive Rugby Physical Preparation Audit to discover your strengths, identify your limiting factors, and receive personalized guidance to elevate your game:



In this video:
0:00 Why preseason isn’t about getting destroyed
1:45 Build fitness intelligently
7:25 Fuel your training
11:15 Choose the rugby player you want to become
17:15 Expected fatigue
21:55 The four preseason priorities recap


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tags:
rugby preseason, rugby training, rugby fitness, rugby performance, rugby hacks, rugby tips, rugby workout, rugby motivation, rugby preseason training tips, rugby strength and conditioning, rugby player diet preseason, improve rugby skills presea

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Buy the Learn to Tackle program and get Wrestling for Rugby and Solo Tackle Prep for free, use code "TOM" at checkout:


The Art & Science Of Coaching The Tackle

Take our comprehensive Rugby Physical Preparation Audit to discover your strengths, identify your limiting factors, and receive personalized guidance to elevate your game:


In this episode, I continue my conversation with Keir from Learn to Tackle and dive into how I coach tackling beyond bags and into real match situations. We discuss game-based learning, constraint-led progressions, how I develop contact skills in both kids and adults, why grappling isn’t the same as rugby tackling, and how improving skill can have a huge impact on conditioning and performance.


00:00 Intro
01:48 Game-Based Learning
06:02 Tackle Progressions
13:32 Mental Toughness
16:16 Kids vs Adults
20:26 Coaching Games
22:39 Video Analysis
25:09 Grappling vs Rugby
27:48 Skill & Conditioning
34:55 Courses & Discounts


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In this episode of the Rugby Muscle Podcast, I sit down with Keir Wenham-Flatt to break down concussion prevention, why most tackle training is ineffective, and how purposeful practice can help players become both safer and better.

Drawing from his experience working with professional rugby teams and developing the Learn to Tackle course, Keir explains the five phases of an effective tackle, why static bag drills don’t transfer to matches, and what rugby can learn from grappling sports.


In this pod:

00:00 Intro
01:33 Concussion Prevention
04:21 Keir’s Journey
12:52 Why Learn to Tackle
16:52 CTE & Head Impacts
20:32 Lessons from Grappling
26:02 The 5 Phases of a Tackle
37:02 Games-Based Training
40:23 Final Thoughts

Buy the Learn to Tackle program and get Wrestling for Rugby and Solo Tackle Prep for free, use code "TOM" at checkout:
https://learntotackle.com/?orid=4663

The Art & Science Of Coaching The Tackle
https://learntotackle.com/art/?orid=4663

Take our comprehensive Rugby Physical Preparation Audit to discover your strengths, identify your limiting factors, and receive personalized guidance to elevate your game:
https://assessment.rugby-muscle.com/

Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook
https://rugby-muscle.com/playbook

Join Team Rugby Muscle
https://rugby-muscle.com/team

Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C
https://rugby-muscle.com/aaa

Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint
https://rugby-muscle.com/blueprint

Support the show

Unlock your rugby strength and conditioning potential by understanding why context is king! In this video, we delve into why conflicting advice in rugby training can all be true and how to make smarter training decisions for your performance on the pitch. You'll learn why applying a generic programme might not be the best approach and how to tailor your physical preparation for rugby to your unique circumstances.

Many rugby players hear vastly different advice regarding their training, from specific exercises like squats to conditioning methods, and often assume one side must be wrong. However, this episode explains that context is everything. We'll explore how understanding your individual needs, available time, and playing style is crucial for optimising your rugby performance. Discover how to move beyond generic guidelines and truly personalise your training, whether you're focusing on speed, power, or aerobic development for rugby players.


Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook

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#RugbyTraining #StrengthAndConditioning #RugbyPerformance

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Improve your rugby performance with this crucial training shift! Many rugby players make the same mistakes in the gym, training harder but not seeing the benefits on the pitch. This video reveals the one fundamental change you need to make to ensure your gym time isn't wasted and actually enhances your game.

After 20 years of performance training and over a decade coaching amateur rugby players online, I'm making the case for full-body training. Discover why this approach is superior for rugby athletes, especially compared to traditional body part splits. I'll delve into how it provides more frequent quality exposures to key movement patterns, offers greater flexibility for in-season niggles, and allows for varied training stimuli throughout the week. Crucially, full-body training frees up your week to prioritise conditioning, speed, and actual rugby training, which are often overlooked in favour of gym-focused off-season programmes. Learn why fitness is often the real bottleneck to your best performance and how to avoid sacrificing it for temporary gym gains.


Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook
https://rugby-muscle.com/playbook

Join Team Rugby Muscle
https://rugby-muscle.com/team

Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C
https://rugby-muscle.com/aaa

Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint
https://rugby-muscle.com/blueprint



If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up to support the channel! Subscribe for more rugby training insights and hit the notification bell so you don't miss out. Let me know in the comments if you've ever struggled with your training programme falling apart due to missed sessions or if you've prioritised gym work over fitness, I'd love to hear your experiences!

#RugbyTraining #FullBodyWorkout #RugbyFitness

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