Diet and nutrition

I am always keen to mix things up, trick the mind and keep the body guessing. (Not a quote from that sad man, from the film Dodgeball). I have worked a few times with the guys at W10 Performance and always rated their set up. Its a small bespoke set up, where hard work is the order of the day. Before I started back at wasps I decided to go back down and get beaten into shape by the @W10Performance. I was put through a punishing power endurance workout that is brilliant not only for conditioning, but getting used to working at a high intensity level. It’s the same kind of full body workout you get, from ball carrying, tackling, getting to your feet and competing for the ball. So great rugby specific work. Its constant and challenges you quickly. Try and enjoy, I will be working with them on and off through the season. You are all welcome to go down and train. There is a link at the bottom. W10 Conditioning / Power Endurance Workout 4 sets with 2mins rest in between. Session...

I have been lucky enough to train in some cool places and with some top people.  This time in Miami was no different. Through my training partner and missus @fitnesskitchen, she managed to get us a training session with top fitness guru and conditioning wiz, @Manningsumner.  We are currently on holiday in Miami and he is the man to know. Manning has trained loads of NFL players, and NBA stars, so as this lot are seen as the ultimate athletes in their sports, we thought lets get some of his magic and get him to put us through his paces. We arrived at the legacy fit compound, a complete purpose built training area, with indoor facilities, running sand pit, a horrible hill climb (luckily we didn’t do this) and indoor sled and running track weights racks, battle ropes, you name it. The gym was full of tough looking guys, in various states of training. Manning met us with a big smile. It’s always good to have a trainer who actually looks like he trains himself and has ...

Upper body Starter Session. So it is time to stop lying around and start back in the gym and get on with some training for a massive, start of season with Wasps. Whatever happens after three weeks of not training, or doing a few bits of jujitsu, knee rehab, I am going to get mega DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Which means I walk like a duck, and have even more of an arrogant strut than usual. There are different approaches to getting back into training but mine is to ease my way back in. I like to strip the weights right back, and approach everything with excellent technique. I try to focus on a really good warm up, getting the body moving properly again, before I start. Ill do this before every session to get   it going again, until I am fully back in to rugby training. Then ill switch to my mini band warm up, as detailed in my other blogs or other dynamic warm ups. The easiest session to do, to get back into things, is an upper body routine. I have slimmed down a bit since...