Rugger buggers and being fat.
Discussion
I will not willy wave and post my stats.
On Sunday I was described (by a coach)as one the teams bulky athlete's, I took this to mean chubber.I was corrected - it is possible to be big and an athlete.
But yes,I think lots of people use their sport as an excuse to be fat. The thing is that most peoples view on what makes you fat is comparing to a beckham type. I will never ever again see the 'right' side of 14st, but can p*ss as high up a wall as any of my peers.
For what it's worth being fat doesn't help you play any sport, nor should the sport played be a reason to carry fat.
On Sunday I was described (by a coach)as one the teams bulky athlete's, I took this to mean chubber.I was corrected - it is possible to be big and an athlete.
But yes,I think lots of people use their sport as an excuse to be fat. The thing is that most peoples view on what makes you fat is comparing to a beckham type. I will never ever again see the 'right' side of 14st, but can p*ss as high up a wall as any of my peers.
For what it's worth being fat doesn't help you play any sport, nor should the sport played be a reason to carry fat.
Edited by beefcake42 on Tuesday 13th October 12:55
I used to play rugby at school because of my size, not skinny not massively over weight but carry a bit more than i should but with a big back and broad shoulders it suited.
These days I lift weights and Kick Box, Still carry a bit more than I should but my size helps with both, Big dead lift, Squat and decent bench but also a strong round kick and cross punch so while I am no where near as fast as the thinner lads I can knock there hits back easier than they can mine.
Swings and round abouts and you just need to play to your strengths, I would say I have a rugby build but I just dont care whats in that egg.
These days I lift weights and Kick Box, Still carry a bit more than I should but my size helps with both, Big dead lift, Squat and decent bench but also a strong round kick and cross punch so while I am no where near as fast as the thinner lads I can knock there hits back easier than they can mine.
Swings and round abouts and you just need to play to your strengths, I would say I have a rugby build but I just dont care whats in that egg.
beefcake42 said:
For what it's worth being fat doesn't help you play any sport, nor should the sport played be a reason to carry fat.
agreed- i played rugby despite being fatter than i wanted to be, and its no defense to say i'm because i play rugby. I'm fat because i eat too much.
Being fat does not help me play rugby, its hard to get fit and stay fit, and it makes me slower than i could be.
its also a health risk.
pugwash4x4 said:
agreed- i played rugby despite being fatter than i wanted to be, and its no defense to say i'm because i play rugby.
I'm fat because i eat too much.
Being fat does not help me play rugby, its hard to get fit and stay fit, and it makes me slower than i could be.
its also a health risk.
I feel your pain, when will the naturally 'skinny' folk realise how hard it is to be big and fit.I'm fat because i eat too much.
Being fat does not help me play rugby, its hard to get fit and stay fit, and it makes me slower than i could be.
its also a health risk.
My Joints hate me.
The jeans excuse is mainly down to the bulk of most of the ex and current players legs....
Jeans are not designed for the players who are 5'9" and below that have the 34" waist but the thighs and calves of someone who has spent too much time strength and acceleration training....
Its my excuse for being a fat git (in everyones book) and im sticking to it... all the rest of the ex players above 5'9" are all just fat
s!!!
HTH...
P
Jeans are not designed for the players who are 5'9" and below that have the 34" waist but the thighs and calves of someone who has spent too much time strength and acceleration training....
Its my excuse for being a fat git (in everyones book) and im sticking to it... all the rest of the ex players above 5'9" are all just fat
s!!!HTH...
Pbeefcake42 said:
For what it's worth being fat doesn't help you play any sport, nor should the sport played be a reason to carry fat.
Useful in Sumo, and strongman.Edited by beefcake42 on Tuesday 13th October 12:55
Here are some 32inch thighs
Edited by Halb on Tuesday 13th October 13:34
pugwash4x4 said:
WildCards said:
pugwash4x4 said:
am i unfit? well not totally- i go to British Military Fitness 2-4 times each week and have a monthly fitness test- i'm in the intermediate group, run a mile in under 10 mins, can do over 60 pressups and over 50 situps in 2 mins, and do 300m of shuttles in less than 70seconds. This means i am fit enough to go to war according to the army.
The BA Regular Soldier fitness requirements are st, don't compare yourself to them and think you must be fit.Edited by WildCards on Tuesday 13th October 12:15
sday12 said:
And why do they have to bring their fat girlfriends to the pub to watch internationals? (complete with matching cotton traders xxl rugby shirts on)
Gave up playing with a smashed knee....gave up coaching when the under 9's could put me on my bum and it hurt!Now I just watch. We do have some that carry weight in the first team but I've known them and coached them for 12 years and they always have. Bloody strong and fit chaps though.
The old image of players though is wrong. Play at a reasonable standard (Essex 1 in our case) and you get stuffed if you are unfit exactly the same as if you are too small. Much bigger, leaner and fitter that when I played. Get down the teams though and it's more like the old days, but then it's great that a mix of old experienced beer bellies can play with the colts who aren't big enough to survive higher up.
And...I'm bound to say.....the girls they bring along to watch.....simply gorgeous. We played in front of 3 old blokes with pipes, now it's a right old social thing!
How times change.
Halb said:
beefcake42 said:
For what it's worth being fat doesn't help you play any sport, nor should the sport played be a reason to carry fat.
Useful in Sumo, and strongman.Edited by beefcake42 on Tuesday 13th October 12:55
Edited by Halb on Tuesday 13th October 13:34
as to strongmen- it really doesn't help to have a lot of fat to be honest- they tend not to have the stamina to win- look at Mario- he's got no fat at all, plays rugby and karate and wins just about all the time. if more of the strongmen were thinner then they would be more competitive.
I would certianly be a mmuch better rugby player if i was thinner!
The thiing is though, generally speaking being fat doesn't hold many advantages in rugby. With the exception of the front row, you're much better off being slimmer but stronger and faster.
Interestingly though, props are one of the only rugby positions that have avoided the general trend for players to shed a bit of weight and pack on the muscle - even most international level props are still slow lumbering heaps compared to the second and third rows, Gethin Jenkins is one of the few I can think of who's genuinely quite quick on his feet.
So in answer to the OP, I'd guess that most were carrying a bit of extra weight to start with, and became props because it's one of the few sports where they could be comparatively effective.
Interestingly though, props are one of the only rugby positions that have avoided the general trend for players to shed a bit of weight and pack on the muscle - even most international level props are still slow lumbering heaps compared to the second and third rows, Gethin Jenkins is one of the few I can think of who's genuinely quite quick on his feet.
So in answer to the OP, I'd guess that most were carrying a bit of extra weight to start with, and became props because it's one of the few sports where they could be comparatively effective.
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