The Rugby Muscle Podcast
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.
The Rugby Muscle Podcast
Stop Training Toughness for Rugby (Do This Instead)
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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