You come home from training soaking wet on a dark Tuesday evening; battered, bruised, tired… so, why is rugby good for you? And why is it – in my humble opinion – one of the best sports in the world? Find out in this guide!
Although it may not seem it at first, the advantages of rugby league and rugby union are vast, and can benefit a person not only physically, but psychologically and socially also.
Everyone can benefit from rugby; children in school, adults playing for their local team, as well as older people and those with disabilities.
Here, we’ll explain the main benefits of playing rugby for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a parent looking to get your child started in rugby or someone looking to get into the game yourself, the advantages we discuss here will leave you sold on rugby.
So… what are the benefits of rugby, exactly?
Health benefits of rugby union and league
The health benefits of rugby are what first come to mind, being such a physical sport.
But how does rugby help your body?
One of the many physical benefits of playing rugby is that it includes heaps of running and dynamic movement, meaning that you’ll naturally work your cardiovascular system and burn a LOT of calories and fat.
The beauty of rugby training, whether it be touch or full-contact, is that the majority of the sessions should involve the ball – which means you won’t realise just how much you’re working on your fitness because you’ll be too busy enjoying.
It’s not quite as tedious as simply jogging or doing laps of a field, which is why it can feel so easy.
There are also studies out there that say you lose weight on your hips, which is always a focus point for those out there wanting to slim down.
Not only will rugby improve your cardio and help you lose fat, but your speed and agility will also increase, thanks to the nature of rugby meaning you’ll often find yourself needing to be evasive and agile on the ball.
Your balance will also improve naturally, as will your coordination, thanks to the skills you’ll pick up on your rugby journey.
As with all sports, there is an element of risk. But what’s life if you live it wrapped in bubble-wrap?
The effects of rugby on the body are positive – barring the odd bruise and scrape, or even a broken bone or two, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Psychological benefits of rugby – Mental health
The mental benefits of rugby are probably not as commonly considered as they should be.
It’s proven that intense physical activity – including rugby – can help clear your mind of any stress or worries that you may have previously had.
Rugby will also make you more likely to get a deep sleep during the night, which is known to transfer negative information from the conscious memory to the subconscious memory. That means you’ll be able to rid your conscious of any negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
The importance of rugby for many people in the UK’s mental health is huge, and it’s especially beneficial to those adolescents dealing with the pressures of reaching adulthood.
Rugby promotes positive mental health, general psychological wellbeing, and promotes confidence.
And quite frankly, there’s no better feeling than being out in the fresh air with your mates.
Social benefits of rugby
The social benefits of playing rugby can do a lot for a person, regardless of the level they train or compete at.
The feeling of friendship, team-work, and having fun with good company are some of the obvious advantages of rugby. Playing rugby from a young age can help kids deal with normal social situations and help bring the best out in them.
It’ll also promote a healthy competitive edge and provide a wealth of experiences, from the disappointment of defeat to the thrill of victory.
That is, in short, part of the reason why rugby is the best sport for social development in many people’s eyes.
Benefits of playing touch rugby
Not everyone that plays rugby has to be big, burly athletes, it’s known as a sport for everyone, and that includes older people, children, and those with disabilities.
Touch rugby is a great way for people to get involved in the sport for the fun, social and health benefits, regardless of their ability.
Across the UK, there are rugby clubs with mixed ability sides who train touch rugby on a weekly basis, so it’s definitely worth looking into.
The advantages of touch rugby include all those associated with full-contact rugby, on and off the pitch.
The health benefits will have you feeling a lot fitter in your day-to-day lives, and it’s great for mental health.
Lace those rugby boots up and get going!
You might like: The 5 Best Rugby Boots
Benefits of rugby in schools
Wondering why children should play rugby at school? It’s great for confidence, self-discipline and mental wellbeing, as well as being great for their overall physical fitness.
The benefits of rugby for kids are never-ending, both on the pitch and off it. It’s also been noted by the RFU that teachers are always referring to children improving within the classroom once they start playing rugby.
That’s one of the advantages of hosting the Rugby World Cup – it gets kids involved and inspires them to participate, as we saw after the World Cup in England and Wales back in 2015.
Why play rugby?
You probably don’t need any more convincing, but there are plenty more benefits of playing rugby that we haven’t mentioned.
Rugby is good for you in terms of your physical fitness, absolutely, but it also promotes a healthy social balance and fantastic psychological benefits.
It can teach basic life skills – such as discipline, team-work and communication – by experiences, so the earlier you start playing, the better.
BUT, even if you’re 50 years old and never played before, it’s never too late to reap the mental and physical benefits of touch rugby.
Rugby is for everyone; whether you play international rugby in the Six Nations or Autumn Nations Series or in the local village field, you can benefit from it.
A list of the benefits of rugby
- Cardiovascular health
- Lose fat and burn calories
- Increased fitness, agility and strength
- Your reactions and co-ordination will improve
- Promotes a positive mental health
- Great social benefits
- Teaches life lessons about respect, team-work and self-discipline
- Make friends for life
If you’ve got any stories about how rugby has helped you or your family, get in touch with us and we’d love to include your story – if you’d be willing to share.
So that’s the benefits of rugby in a nut-shell. Get out there and enjoy your rugby.
Happy egg chasing!
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