So you’ve unwrapped all the presents, had enough sherry to last a lifetime and you’ve finally finished off the last batch of turkey sandwiches. Chances are you’ve added a few inches to your waist over the last few weeks, and now its time to slim down again.
Fortunately, there are few activities that give you an all-round workout as good as rugby. Here’s why.
1) A Great cardio workout – Over the course of 80 minutes, forwards will run on average 6.4km each game. If you are a back, this increases to 7km, but this doesn’t mean the pack is slacking! The work/rest ratio time of forwards is 1:2.9 while the backs come in at a slightly more laid back 1:3.1.
2) Burn those calories – A 90kg player will burn over 1000 calories in a game, that’s about 5 mince pies, so the ideal place to start if you are looking to lose weight.
3) Full body work out – More than any other team sport, rugby requires both lower and upper body strength. Playing regularly develops muscles, helping to build strength and tone.
4) Its what’s inside that counts – As well as building muscle, rugby puts strain on the bones, forcing the body to reinforce your skeleton, increasing bone density. As well as the immediate benefits of stronger bones, this also helps to prevent osteoporosis in later life.
5) Improved mental health – It’s well established that general exercise causes the body to produce endorphins, raising mood and general wellbeing, but taking part in team sports can also be positive. Studies show that being part of a team can provide a sense of purpose and belonging to those who suffer from anxiety and depression.

Here's to a great 2020, and we will see you all at training!