If your goal is to improve your speed and strength, speed training is definitely a great way to make both of these things happen. This is especially true if you’re involved in sports or compete in other fitness-related events in which your ability to outmaneuver your opponent or quickly finish a course is critical to your success.
Regardless of what’s behind your desire for more speed, here are nine tips that can help you make the most of this type of training regimen:
- Commit to speed training at least twice a week; anything less won’t provide as good results.
- Engage in speed training all year long (even during non-competition times) so that your body is continuously making improvements.
- Time how long it takes you to get through your speed training exercises, enabling you to more easily see how quickly you are making progress (and to ensure that you are making progress).
- Pay close attention to your form when conducting speed training exercises so that you get maximum results with minimum injury risk.
- If possible, occasionally have someone take video of you performing your speed training drills so you can assess your sessions effectively.
- Include sprinting in your speed training regimen as this particular drill is one of the most effective speed training exercises there is.
- Never perform speed training without doing a proper warmup or you risk injuring your muscles and soft tissues.
- Take the time to stretch regularly so your speed training sessions don’t result in tight muscles that limit your performance as opposed to enhancing it.
- Perform your speed training exercises before any other exercises you do so you have enough power to give them your all.
Follow these nine tips and you’ll be well on your way to speed training success!