Renowned for his dynamic style of play, Harlequins stalwart Danny Care – who recently retired from England duty with 101 caps to his name – has established himself as a legend of the game, through a career marked not just by world-class skill, but also resilience and adaptability.
Despite the acclaim, however, Care remains grounded. His lengthy career in the sport is rooted in a deep understanding of his body and a steadfast positive outlook. Rarely without a smile on his face, the 37-year-old continues to thrive in a sport often thought of as a young man’s game.
Ahead of Harlequins’ recent victory in the Big Summer Kick-Off, he talked us through the conditioning and mindset fundamentals that have ensured his longevity in such a bruising and at times brutal profession.
Men’s Fitness: Talk us through your weekly training routine
Danny Care: We train Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Wednesdays and Fridays off, and play Saturdays. On a Monday you’re running around 3k in training, so in and out of plays and conditioning games.
Tuesdays are our tough days, which we call our ‘uncompromising days’. That’s a lot of physical work, so longer periods of ball in play that give the lungs a good hit, and some more contact work. I’d run around 5 or maybe 6k on a Tuesday, and we work up to 90% of maximum speed sprints during those sessions.
Thursday will be our fast day, so probably around 4k of running, but shorter periods of ball in play, but at a higher intensity and with longer recoveries.
MF: How has the strength and conditioning in rugby changed since you first started playing?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2024 من Men's Fitness UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2024 من Men's Fitness UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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