26 Jan 2018 England Rugby stars reveal fitness secrets in new training hub with Virgin Active BYRob Gibson
England's Maro Itoje demonstrates his explosive power during Old Mutual Wealth Series between England against Samoa at Twickenham Stadium in November photo: NurPhoto/SIPA USA/PA Images
England Rugby has teamed up with Virgin Active to create a training programme aimed at improving physical strength and mental wellbeing.
Devised by the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) head of sport science and medicine, Mark Bennett, the ‘Fit for Rugby’ programme brings together the RFU’s expertise on optimal exercises for rugby and Virgin Active’s knowledge of a holistic approach to fitness.
The initiative, which caters to all abilities, includes an online training hub featuring England Rugby’s men’s and women’s players.
Through the hub, Maro Itoje shows participants how to increase strength and explosive power and Rachael Burford offers advice on balance, conditioning and flexibility.
“Rugby is a complex sport to train for – it requires a variety of fitness attributes,” said Bennett.
“This training programme focuses on sequences of exercises to effectively and safely train you for the rugby, but it’s suitable for general fitness enthusiasts as well.”
Virgin Active head of product development James Trevorrow said: “Whether you’re a regular rugby player or simply want to add something new to your fitness regime, it will allow you to take the way you train and recover to the next level.
“This programme offers an opportunity to learn from England’s elite – the very best at achieving optimum physical and mental wellbeing.”
The video tutorials also include tips from Elliot Daly on how dynamic and explosive exercises can build speed, Katie Daly-Mclean demonstrating exercises including hamstring stretches and Jamie George performing landmine presses and frog jumps.
There are six training pillars which help build strength, power and agility, and each pillar has a specific sequence of exercises to deliver optimal results.
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