RL fitness question

[Fraser]

I want to get into playing rugby league and I have heard of the tough fitness involved.

I've got a couple of weeks preparing for a short tournament then I'll play the last couple of games of the season. My problem is doing fitness, weights and trying to gain weight at the same time. I eat a sh*tload of food, on cricket camp I was eating 3 times as much as everyone else but the weight just doesn't go on for me, combine it with a few fitness a week and there's no chance in getting the weight on.

How much fitness sessions should/can you do a week while at the same time doing a weight gain program doing weights 3-4 times a week and having protein shakes? At the same time getting in shape for me and being one of the fitter players at the same time?

I'm 192cm and 75kg. Would I better off being a really fit 75kg second rower or bit above average 80kg?

 

[maple_69]

How old are you?

 

[Firey_Dragon]

I want to get into playing rugby league and I have heard of the tough fitness involved.

I've got a couple of weeks preparing for a short tournament then I'll play the last couple of games of the season. My problem is doing fitness, weights and trying to gain weight at the same time. I eat a sh*tload of food, on cricket camp I was eating 3 times as much as everyone else but the weight just doesn't go on for me, combine it with a few fitness a week and there's no chance in getting the weight on.

How much fitness sessions should/can you do a week while at the same time doing a weight gain program doing weights 3-4 times a week and having protein shakes? At the same time getting in shape for me and being one of the fitter players at the same time?

I'm 192cm and 75kg. Would I better off being a really fit 75kg second rower or bit above average 80kg?

If you're that tall and that weight, you don't belong anywhere near the forwards. Especially if you've never really played before, your defensive technique won't hold up if you don't have the weight behind you. Your weight for that height should be in the low 90's.

Having protein can actually make you lose weight in the short term not gain it, protein helps metabolise fat. The key is to not over-train, work on one set of muscles once or twice a week allowing AT LEAST 48 hours for recovery, if you do it more than that, you can actually break down muscle, not build it. As a general rule though, your daily intake of protein should be 0.45g for every kilo of your body weight, the average person consumes nowhere near this and as a result often find it hard to put on muscle mass.

Depending on how far away your game is, I wouldn't expect any noticeable results, it generally takes 6 weeks of training to start building muscle.

But as maple asked, how old are you? Alot of that advice could be irrelevant based on your age.

 

[Nerd]

With such a short lead up time where your going to struggle is for aerobic fitness. Doing weights 2 or 3 times a week wont hurt but concentrating on running will reap the most rewards in such a short amount of time.

Short sprint work will improve your breathing the best. Just remember to warm up first.

 

[Fraser]

If you're that tall and that weight, you don't belong anywhere near the forwards. Especially if you've never really played before, your defensive technique won't hold up if you don't have the weight behind you. Your weight for that height should be in the low 90's.

Having protein can actually make you lose weight in the short term not gain it, protein helps metabolise fat. The key is to not over-train, work on one set of muscles once or twice a week allowing AT LEAST 48 hours for recovery, if you do it more than that, you can actually break down muscle, not build it. As a general rule though, your daily intake of protein should be 0.45g for every kilo of your body weight, the average person consumes nowhere near this and as a result often find it hard to put on muscle mass.

Depending on how far away your game is, I wouldn't expect any noticeable results, it generally takes 6 weeks of training to start building muscle.

But as maple asked, how old are you? Alot of that advice could be irrelevant based on your age.

16, I'm actually 80kg. I've played union for a couple of years but I'm sick of it now so I want to play league again (last played u8). I played second row in union so I know how to tackle. I've done weights for ages and fitness my main question is if I step up and do more fitness for league, how can I do heaps of fitness while putting on weight? I find it amazing how blokes like Dave Taylor can be as fit as they are and weigh so much.

 

[Shorty]

If you're that tall and that weight, you don't belong anywhere near the forwards. Especially if you've never really played before, your defensive technique won't hold up if you don't have the weight behind you. Your weight for that height should be in the low 90's.

Having protein can actually make you lose weight in the short term not gain it, protein helps metabolise fat. The key is to not over-train, work on one set of muscles once or twice a week allowing AT LEAST 48 hours for recovery, if you do it more than that, you can actually break down muscle, not build it. As a general rule though, your daily intake of protein should be 0.45g for every kilo of your body weight, the average person consumes nowhere near this and as a result often find it hard to put on muscle mass.

Depending on how far away your game is, I wouldn't expect any noticeable results, it generally takes 6 weeks of training to start building muscle.

But as maple asked, how old are you? Alot of that advice could be irrelevant based on your age.

Agreed.
Also what is your level of activity?
And you need to load on carbs about 90 minutes before you do weights - This is important.
The timing of when you take your protein after activity is the way to success.

 

[Binga]

16, I'm actually 80kg. I've played union for a couple of years but I'm sick of it now so I want to play league again (last played u8). I played second row in union so I know how to tackle. I've done weights for ages and fitness my main question is if I step up and do more fitness for league, how can I do heaps of fitness while putting on weight? I find it amazing how blokes like Dave Taylor can be as fit as they are and weigh so much.

Don't worry so much about your size at the moment cause your only young and your body will fill in soon. I was in the same boat as you at 16. I was 198cm tall but only 75kg. Now im 28 and im 200cm and 117kg so dont worry your body will fill out. The best way to keep fit will keeping size is high intensity excerises such as hill spints, sprinting etc. Combine this with a 30-45 min run 1-2 times a week and you'll see the gains. But the most important thing obviously is your diet.

 

[adamkungl]

16, I'm actually 80kg. I've played union for a couple of years but I'm sick of it now so I want to play league again (last played u8). I played second row in union so I know how to tackle. I've done weights for ages and fitness my main question is if I step up and do more fitness for league, how can I do heaps of fitness while putting on weight? I find it amazing how blokes like Dave Taylor can be as fit as they are and weigh so much.

Muscle weighs more than fat. Heavy weight training, after a few weeks of consistent effort, will increase your weight. More important for a 16 year old is the running fitness.

 

[Sir Biffo]

You're only 16, so you have a few years to grow into your body yet mate.

Just a word of advice when you're doing your aerobic fitness, if you plan on doing a lot of running take it VERY easy to start with and build up SLOWLY. Only add about 10% a week to your total distances ran, and forget about doing any high intensity stuff for a few weeks at least.

I used to do all of my running training flat out, and was always sore and tired and struggled to get a lot of distance in. Now I do most of my running at an easy pace, run about double the k's I used to and have taken about 8 minutes off my 10k time in the last 6 months. I know that you're not trying to specifically be a runner, but you will need a base.

 

[Big Time]

Roids tend to help with the whole putting on weight issue. .

 

[Perth Red]

Can you drink till 3am after a game? If not that is where you need to be training to make it in the NRL!

All seriousness though good luck, I was the same, tall and light and wasn't till I reached 21 that I "filled out" and was able to hit hard! Size isn't everything (look at Menzies), attitude and willingness to work hard and never quit is what will make you succesful.

 

[sooperdooper]

a couple of weeks training wont put on muscle...
i would focus on just having the right amount of fitness to last a game...
and just show some heart.

do a couple of weeks of weights wont do anything, it might mentally though..

i can suggest some fitness exercises if you wish?!?

or some weight programs

 

[Thomas]

As posters have said, I wouldn't be worrying about putting on muscle. That's something for the long term. Keep doing weights etc but for now I'd be looking at increasing your cardio.

Follow Biffo's advice about taking it easy and look at alternating your running schedule. Don't just go out and belt an 8km run. Mix it up. Run medium distances while varying your pace. I'd have a couple of sessions of hill sprints or shuttle runs in there as well.

Either way and regardless of how hard you work now, you'll be one sore and sorry fella after your first game. Good luck.

 

[thommo4pm]

I want to get into playing rugby league and I have heard of the tough fitness involved.

I've got a couple of weeks preparing for a short tournament then I'll play the last couple of games of the season. My problem is doing fitness, weights and trying to gain weight at the same time. I eat a sh*tload of food, on cricket camp I was eating 3 times as much as everyone else but the weight just doesn't go on for me, combine it with a few fitness a week and there's no chance in getting the weight on.

How much fitness sessions should/can you do a week while at the same time doing a weight gain program doing weights 3-4 times a week and having protein shakes? At the same time getting in shape for me and being one of the fitter players at the same time?

I'm 192cm and 75kg. Would I better off being a really fit 75kg second rower or bit above average 80kg?

Did you pose this question last year under a different user name, only to take the piss....cause you are a Union fan?
Just curious, cause this is very similar to a Union troll who used to post in the fight club forum who disappeared.