!["I Don't Go Chasing Pbs at My Age-there's No Point"](https://cdn.magzter.com/Men's Fitness/1716472393/articles/2SZVXlhwq1716540558635/Danny-Care.jpg)
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?
This story is from the June 2024 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
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This story is from the June 2024 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
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