The Rugby Muscle Podcast

Rugby Muscle: Gym, Training, Diet and Strength and Conditioning
  • 4.8 (37)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

The Rugby Muscle Podcast – Gym, Training, Diet and Strength and Conditioning. The podcast for rugby players of all ages and abilities that will help you lose fat, add muscle, strength and power and perform better on the pitch than ever before, with expert guests and unique stories from around the world, the Rugby Muscle Podcast cuts the crap to give you a simple no BS approach to your nutrition and training.

  1. 6d ago

    Stop Training Toughness for Rugby (Do This Instead)

    RUGBY PHYSICAL PREPARATION AUDIT Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint In this episode, I explain why "training toughness" in rugby S&C is a massive mistake. Enduring brutal workouts doesn't build true mental grit it just sabotages the physical gains that actually improve your game. Because everyone hits physical limits, your training must focus on expanding raw capacity: strength, speed, power, and aerobic fitness. Raising your physical baseline lowers the relative effort of every match action, preserving the energy you need to execute skills and dominate the 80th minute. Build a deep "strength reserve" in the gym, and leave toughness practice for rugby itself. 00:00 Why Toughness Is Overrated 01:38 Capacity Beats Grit 02:52 Key S&C Qualities 04:51 Toughness Reserve Explained 07:43 Momentum From Being Fit 09:12 Military Training Myth 11:27 Be Tough In Rugby 12:29 Train Adaptations Not Pain 13:45 Wrap Up And Next Steps Support the show

    Stop Training Toughness for Rugby (Do This Instead)

  2. Sep 2

    Getting in Shape for Rugby is This Simple

    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 Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint Support the show

  3. Aug 8

    A Guide to Lifting During Preseason - Common Rugby Player Mistakes and Fixes

    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. Understand Real Rugby Fitness https://rugby-muscle.com/pyramid Take the free Rugby Player Audit https://assessment.rugby-muscle.com/ Join Team Rugby Muscle https://rugby-muscle.com/team Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C https://rugby-muscle.com/aaa Program Yourself with the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook https://rugby-muscle.com/playbook 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? #RugbyTraining #PreseasonRugby #RugbyFitness Support the show

  4. Jul 31

    Thoughts about Rugby Players and Hybrid Training

    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. Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint 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 Support the show

  5. Jul 28

    Do These 4 Things and Have THE BEST Rugby Pre-season

    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 Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint 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 Support the show

    Do These 4 Things and Have THE BEST Rugby Pre-season

  6. Jul 8

    This is How You REALLY Learn to Tackle - (Part 2) | Rugby Muscle Podcast

    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 Get the Rugby Muscle Training Week Playbook Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint Support the show

    This is How You REALLY Learn to Tackle - (Part 2) | Rugby Muscle Podcast

  7. Jul 1

    Learn to Tackle: Why Most Tackle Training Is Wrong (Part 1) | Rugby Muscle Podcast

    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

    Learn to Tackle: Why Most Tackle Training Is Wrong (Part 1) | Rugby Muscle Podcast

  8. Apr 8

    Rugby Training: Why EVERYTHING You Know Is WRONG!

    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 Join Team Rugby Muscle Get personalised 1on1 Coaching from me for S&C Get early access to the ALL-NEW 5-day Rugby Athlete Blueprint #RugbyTraining #StrengthAndConditioning #RugbyPerformance Support the show

    Rugby Training: Why EVERYTHING You Know Is WRONG!
See All (356)

4.8
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

The Rugby Muscle Podcast – Gym, Training, Diet and Strength and Conditioning. The podcast for rugby players of all ages and abilities that will help you lose fat, add muscle, strength and power and perform better on the pitch than ever before, with expert guests and unique stories from around the world, the Rugby Muscle Podcast cuts the crap to give you a simple no BS approach to your nutrition and training.

Information

  • Creator
    Rugby Muscle: Gym, Training, Diet and Strength and Conditioning
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    356
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Rugby Muscle Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Rugby Muscle Podcast

You Might Also Like