The Rugby Muscle Podcast

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 rug...

In this episode, I break down the most effective upper body movements I use to build real rugby strength and on-field performance. This isn’t bodybuilding or powerlifting, it’s practical training that carries over directly to tackles, contact, and shoulder resilience. 00:00 Intro 02:18 Pull-ups 05:50 Bench press 07:58 Explosive push-ups 10:52 Single-arm rows 13:07 Face pulls 14:23 Tricep extensions 15:43 Hammer curls 16:45 Wrap up Join Team Rugby Muscle Get ...

In this episode, I break down the biggest mistake amateur rugby players make in the gym, copying pro-level training. I share my own journey, explain why pro methods don’t work for players balancing work, school, and life, and show the simple framework I use to help athletes get stronger, fitter, faster, and stay injury-free. I also walk you through my first-principles approach so you can build a sustainable system that actually improves your rugby performance. In this episode: 00:00 I...

The 10 biggest strength and conditioning mistakes I see rugby players make from overtraining and poor recovery to chasing the wrong goals. I’ll break down each one and show you how to fix them so you can perform better on the field. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:30 Too Low-Level to Care 03:10 Too Much Gym Time 05:20 Expecting Perfect Recovery 07:50 Chasing Leanness 10:30 Overthinking Conditioning 11:50 Overthinking Exercises 14:15 Perfect Weeks Myth 15:25 Perfect Sessions Myth ...

In this video, I share my top 7 tips to help you minimize injury risk in rugby. From building strength and fitness to improving technique, managing training load, and recovering properly, these are the exact strategies I use to keep players strong, fit, and ready all season. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:52 Tip 1: Accept the Risk of Rugby 04:03 Tip 2: Get Strong 05:57 Tip 3: Get Fit 07:08 Tip 4: Improve Your Technique 08:21 Tip 5: Expose Yourself to Game Stresses 10:04 Tip 6: Manage...

In this video, I break down a big mistake I see all the time in rugby training like an athlete instead of as an athlete. I share my personal experience, including a story about a top-level player getting crushed by CrossFit, and explain why generic athlete training doesn’t cut it for rugby. You’ll learn how to align your strength and conditioning with the actual demands of the game, plus get free tools to help you train smarter with Rugby Muscle. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Understandin...

In this episode, I dive into the parts of rugby culture we don’t always talk about, from social pressure to training habits. I break down what’s really helping your progress and what might be slowing it down, even if it feels normal. Let’s get real about what matters for long-term success in the sport. 00:00 Intro 01:18 The Social Side of Rugby 05:21 Lazy Touch 06:33 Taking Training Seriously 07:38 Avoiding the Blame Game 10:37 The Power of Banter 11:31 Openness to Learning 13:01 Final Thou...

In this episode, I break down what rugby-specific training actually looks like. Most players think it’s all about doing drills that “look like rugby,” but that’s not it. I go through the 5 key areas—strength, power, speed, aerobic capacity, and movement—and show you how to apply them properly to your training. I also explain how general work still plays a role and why timing and structure are everything. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:24 What Specificity Really Means 02:29 Common Mistake...

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind how Rugby Muscle began. I talk about the challenges, the turning points, and how I built a training system that helps amateur rugby players get real results with evidence-based methods. If you’re into rugby, coaching, or just want to hear an honest journey, this one’s for you. 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

Ever feel slow or heavy-legged even when you’re fit? I’ve been there. In this video, I break down 6 real reasons why you’re fatigued, beyond just conditioning. From strength gaps and poor skill to bad training structure, sleep, and mental fatigue. I’ll show you how to fix it and feel better on the pitch. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:27 Lack of Strength 04:29 Lack of Skill 07:16 Poor Training Setup 10:00 Training Volume Spike 13:41 Bad Sleep 15:24 Adrenaline Dump 17:48 Wrap-Up ...

In this episode, I break down why most rugby players hit training plateaus and how simplifying your S&C plan is the key to long-term results. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:55 Why You’re Overcomplicating It 02:27 Stop Program Hopping 04:31 Consistency > Perfection 06:52 Think Long-Term 09:26 Final Thoughts 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

Why Zone 2 Changed My Rugby Fitness In this episode, I break down how Zone 2 training transformed my performance. I cover why it matters for rugby, how to find your Zone 2, avoid common mistakes, and fit it into your week. In today’s episode: 00:00 Intro 01:16 What is Zone 2 02:39 Why I Use It 04:41 My Results 10:46 How to Find Your Zone 2 16:08 How to Add It Weekly 20:08 Mistakes I Made 24:24 Final Thoughts You can now register for the Rugby Specific Fitness Masterclass here Join Tea...