Even if you have no intention of ever stepping onto a rugby pitch, you can pick up a lot of great training tips from the new Fit for Rugby video series launched by England Rugby and Virgin Active.
That’s because Fit for Rugby highlights six training pillars that apply to everyone, and the pillars complement each other to provide a rounded approach to your health and fitness. Those pillars are “balance and conditioning”, “strength and explosive power”, “speed and acceleration”, “agility and mobility”, “power, endurance and stamina”, and “core strength”. There is a series of videos designed to help you train each area, including a variety of exercises and full workouts fronted by England Rugby stars like Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly.
While the programme was created by England Rugby’s strength and conditioning coaches, it’s intended for all. Mark Bennett, RFU head of sport science and medicine, says that “this training programme focuses on sequences of exercises to effectively and safely train you for rugby, but it’s suitable for general fitness enthusiasts as well.”
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The videos are short and snappy, lasting around a minute for each exercise and two minutes for the workouts, so you get all the information you need to upgrade your training routine quickly.
As well as individual exercises and one-off workouts, the hub also has full training plans that put together all six pillars. If you’re worried your own training isn’t covering all the fitness bases you want it to, or haven’t got a training programme at all, it’s definitely worth checking out the Fit for Rugby plans.
The focus isn’t solely on physical fitness either. The hub has another section devoted entirely to off-the-pitch activities and mental health. That includes recovery tips, plus advice from the players on how they cope with stress and keep themselves fit mentally. englandrugby.com/virginactive
