03/06/2026
Body Building is not Rugby Conditioning
Back during the 2019 RWC this image was released of the Boks and that sparked a lot of young rugby players to start lifting weights, the problem was they download body building programs of the internet and started training heavy, because these players looked like they did that but in effect they are athletic. Yes there is the difference Athletic not Body Builders.
The same during the time of Pierre Spies, he is still argued to be one of the most athletic gifted rugby players of his time and he worked hard for it.
Rugby conditioning consist of specific components to improve athletic performance and decrease injury risk and be sport specific ready.
Its true any training is better than no training and will improve performance and decrease injury risk but if you want to be a rugby player then do the correct combination of exercises.
From primary school there is exercises with bands and body weight that can be done to ensure your body is age appropriately strong for the sport.
Lets stay moving...........