Why Athletes Never Get Faster: The Truth About Speed Training
For many athletes, the pursuit of speed is a never-ending journey. They spend countless hours training, pushing their bodies to the limit, yet their times on the track or field remain stagnant. Despite all their hard work, they’re left wondering why they aren’t getting faster. The answer lies not in the effort they’re putting in, but in the approach they’re taking.
The Misconception of Speed Training
The fitness industry is filled with quick fixes and trendy equipment that promise to make athletes faster. Among the most popular are sled pushes and resistance bands. These tools are often marketed as essential for building speed, but the reality is they may be doing more harm than good.
Sled Pushes: Sled pushes are often touted as a way to build explosive power and strength, which in turn is supposed to translate into greater speed. While pushing heavy sleds can indeed increase strength, it doesn’t necessarily lead to improvements in sprint speed. The movement pattern of a sled push is vastly different from that of running at full speed. When you push a sled, your body is in a lower, more horizontal position, which doesn’t replicate the upright sprinting posture needed for maximum speed. Moreover, the heavy resistance can alter your natural running form, potentially ingraining bad habits that can slow you down on the track.
Resistance Bands: Resistance bands are another popular tool used in speed training. Athletes often use them for resisted sprints or to add resistance to various drills. While resistance bands can be useful for building strength in certain muscles, they don’t necessarily translate into faster running speeds. The added resistance can alter your movement patterns and timing, making it harder to achieve the fluid, coordinated motion that is essential for sprinting. Over time, this can lead to inefficiencies in your running mechanics, ultimately making you slower.
The Importance of Specific Training for Speed
Speed is a complex attribute that requires a specific and targeted approach to improve. Simply lifting heavier weights or adding more resistance to your drills won’t make you faster. Speed is a skill that needs to be developed through precise training that focuses on the unique demands of sprinting.
Time and Patience: One of the most common reasons athletes don’t get faster is that they expect results too quickly. Speed development takes time, and there are no shortcuts. It requires consistent, focused training over weeks, months, and even years. Patience is key. The body needs time to adapt to the demands of speed training, and rushing the process can lead to frustration, burnout, or even injury.
Specificity in Training: To get faster, your training needs to be specific to the goal of improving speed. This means focusing on exercises and drills that closely mimic the demands of sprinting. Instead of pushing sleds or using resistance bands, athletes should be engaging in exercises that improve the components of speed, such as acceleration, maximum velocity, and speed endurance.
At Bio-Dynamic Athletics (BDA), we understand that true speed development requires a more nuanced approach. We don’t rely on gimmicks or trendy equipment that promise quick results. Instead, we focus on evidence-based training methods that are proven to improve speed.
Why Bio-Dynamic Athletics Delivers Results
At BDA, we take a holistic approach to speed training. We understand that speed is not just about moving your legs faster—it’s about optimizing every aspect of your performance, from strength and power to coordination and recovery.
Targeted Strength Training: While we don’t use sled pushes or resistance bands as our primary tools for speed development, we do focus on building the specific strength needed for sprinting. This includes exercises that target the posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes, and lower back), which are critical for producing the powerful hip extension needed for sprinting. Our strength training programs are designed to enhance your ability to generate force quickly, which is a key component of speed.
Plyometrics and Power Development: Explosive power is a critical factor in speed. At BDA, we incorporate plyometric exercises that improve your ability to generate force rapidly. These exercises, such as jump training and bounds, are specifically chosen to enhance the elastic properties of your muscles and tendons, allowing you to spring off the ground more quickly and efficiently.
Neuromuscular Training: Speed is as much a neurological skill as it is a physical one. Our training programs include drills that enhance your neuromuscular coordination, helping you to fire your muscles in the correct sequence for maximum speed. This includes reaction drills, quick footwork exercises, and other activities that train your nervous system to respond faster and more efficiently.
Customized Programs: We know that every athlete is different, which is why we create training programs that cater to your specific needs and goals. Whether you’re a sprinter, soccer player, or basketball athlete, our programs are tailored to help you reach your full speed potential.
Focus on Recovery: Speed development is demanding, and proper recovery is essential to prevent injury and ensure consistent progress. At BDA, we emphasize the importance of recovery through techniques like active rest, mobility work, and nutrition, ensuring that your body is always ready to perform at its best.
Conclusion
If you’ve been frustrated by a lack of progress in your speed training, it’s time to take a closer look at your approach. Sled pushes and resistance bands might seem like effective tools, but they often do more harm than good when it comes to improving speed. At Bio-Dynamic Athletics, we understand the complexities of speed development and provide the targeted, evidence-based training you need to get faster. Don’t waste your time and money on ineffective methods—trust the experts at BDA to help you achieve real, lasting results.
