Optimizing a Real Rugby S&C Program

In this episode, I break down a real rugby strength and conditioning program sent in by a listener. I talk about the balance between keeping training simple enough to be consistent, but complex enough to actually work. I go through each part of the program—from warm-ups to main lifts and conditioning—explaining what works, what doesn’t, and why.


In this episode:
00:00 – Intro
00:24 – Reviewing a listener’s program
03:22 – Program breakdown
08:44 – Conditioning and cardio finishers
11:41 – Day 2 & Day 3 review
20:08 – Final thoughts


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Optimizing Off-Season, Pre-Season, and In-Season Training for Amateur Rugby Players

In this episode, I explain how to train smart through the off-season, pre-season, and in-season as an amateur rugby player. I break down why pro-level S&C plans don’t work for most people and share a realistic year-round approach to strength, fitness, and performance.


00:00 Introduction
01:26 Common Misconceptions About Training Phases
04:12 The Rugby Muscle Model Explained
05:29 Off-Season
08:28 Pre-Season
11:31 In-Season
13:55 Recap and Final Thoughts
14:47 Wrap up



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In this Rugby Muscle podcast episode we've got listener questions about zone 2 calculations, effective aerobic training strategies, best ways to improve flexibility for older athletes, and how to maintain fitness while recovering from an injury.

Join Team Rugby Muscle
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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

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:27 Question 1: Importance of Aerobic Training

07:03 Question 2: Improving Flexibility

13:58 Question 3: Training with Osteitis Pubis

19:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Many rugby athletes find themselves falling for this law with their strength and conditioning, it's a very easy mistake to make and never recognise... hence this podcast where you'll understand how focusing on specific metrics, like penalties or weight targets, can sabotage overall performance, and outcomes.



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

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

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To play your best Rugby you need to be fit, but you also need to be big, strong and powerful. In this episode you'll learn how you can do that within a single week and become a weapon of a rugby player

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

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

00:00 Introduction: Are You Training Effectively for Rugby?

01:48 Understanding Training High: Strength, Power, and Speed

02:41 Training Heavy: Building Strength for Rugby

05:02 Training Fast: Enhancing Speed and Explosiveness

07:30 Training Low: Developing Your Aerobic Engine

13:04 Blending High and Low Training for Optimal Performance

15:14 Conclusion: Train Smart, Dominate on Game Day

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In this episode of the Rugby Muscle Podcast, we'll go through 15 common mistakes that rugby players make during their off-season training, preventing them from achieving optimal results.

To apply for one of the limited spots for 1on1 Off-Season Coaching:
https://rugby-muscle.com/cta-6551

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

00:00 Off-Season Training

02:19 1. You don’t have a plan—just workouts.

03:07 2. You have a plan—but it's copied from another sport.

03:56 3. You think off-season = bulking time.

05:20 4. You do no conditioning.

06:03 5. You chase fatigue, not progress.

06:38 6. You do endless fluff work to build muscle.

07:18 7. You think cleans and snatches are enough speed/power work.

08:14 8. You have no progression—just sets and reps.

09:14 9. You don’t progress your conditioning.

09:40 10. You force lifts that don’t fit.

10:18 11. You only train up and down.

11:32 12. You sleep like a uni student in exam week.

12:23 13. Your nutrition goal is to "eat healthy."

13:35 14. You “grind” for 4 weeks then ghost the gym.

14:04 15. You constantly second guess yourself.

14:31 Conclusion

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You want to dominate contact in rugby? You're in the right place, in this Rugby Muscle Podcast expect to learn the common misconception when it comes to building a strong collision-ready frame, and the main concepts used within Rugby Muscle to have athletes win rucks, turn over ball and just boss the tackle area!

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

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

00:00 Introduction

00:46 Building Muscle and Strength for Rugby

04:26 Foundational Training Principles

04:36 Principle 1 and 2

06:12 Principle 3

07:08 Principle 4 and 5

08:31 Principle 6

09:21 Conclusion and Coaching Offer

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Most rugby conditioning routines fail to translate to game time performance. This Rugby Muscle Podcast will go through progressive conditioning plan that balances low-intensity aerobic work with high-intensity interval training to ensure players stay fresh and perform optimally on the field.

GET THE 12 WEEK CONDITIONING PROGRAM HERE
https://rugby-muscle.com/team

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



00:00 Intro
01:18 Understanding Rugby's Energy Demands
03:16 Fitness Mindset Shift
04:59 Progressive Conditioning Plan: Stage 1
08:13 Progressive Conditioning Plan: Stage 2
11:15 Progressive Conditioning Plan: Stage 3
13:49 Conclusion and Next Steps

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