Why Rugby Players Need Pilates and Strength Training

At Luna Collective, we believe that movement is powerful - and that strength, mobility, and injury resilience go hand in hand. That’s why we’re proud to have James on our team as our dedicated strength coach.

With over 15 years of experience in the fitness and a background in competitive rugby from the age of six, James brings a deep understanding of what it takes to train hard, perform well, and stay injury-free. He’s played at various club levels and knows firsthand the physical and mental demands of contact sports.

Now, James channels that experience into designing strength training plans tailored to our clients’ goals - whether they're working on long-term athletic performance or simply want to feel stronger in everyday life. While Sandra (our founder) leads the 1:1 strength sessions with women, James oversees the structure and progression of all our strength programs, ensuring they’re smart, safe, and sport-informed.

Why Strength Training Matters for Rugby Players

Rugby is a physically demanding sport that requires explosive power, speed, endurance, and a whole lot of resilience. Effective strength training plays a crucial role in:

• Building muscular power for sprinting, tackling, and scrummaging

• Improving joint stability to reduce risk of common rugby injuries like ACL tears, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring strains

• Enhancing recovery by balancing strength and mobility work

• Supporting longevity in the sport, especially as the body takes more hits over time

With James’ rugby background, our clients benefit from someone who truly understands how to train the body in a way that reflects the demands of sport - not just what looks good on paper.

Adding Pilates to the Mix

Sandra specialises in teaching Pilates to athletes, including those from rugby, CrossFit, running, and tennis backgrounds. While Pilates might not be the first thing that comes to mind for rugby players, it’s actually a secret weapon when it comes to long-term performance.

Pilates helps rugby players:

• Strengthen deep stabilising muscles that support the spine and joints under pressure

• Improve mobility and flexibility in hips, shoulders, and spine - key for tackling, lifting, and sprinting

• Enhance balance and proprioception which helps with agility and staying grounded in unpredictable play

• Prevent injury by addressing muscular imbalances and improving body awareness

• Aid recovery with low-impact movement that keeps the body moving without adding stress

  
  

We often say: strength gives you power, Pilates keeps you on the pitch.

The Luna Approach: Smart Strength + Intelligent Movement

Whether you're returning to sport after a break, managing an injury, or simply want to future-proof your body, our approach at Luna is holistic, evidence-informed, and always tailored to you.

With James leading our strength programming and Sandra bringing her Pilates expertise, you get the best of both worlds: athletic training that builds power, and movement education that builds longevity.

Want to learn more about how Pilates and strength training can work for you - or your team? Get in touch with us to find out how we can support your performance, on and off the field.