How To Increase Sprinting Speed

By: JBTodd

Break Studios Contributing Writer

By finding out how to increase sprinting speed, you can improve your overall athletic performance. Use weight training and plyometrics to help you increase sprinting speed. Incorporate some interval training into your running workout. Review your diet to make sure you have a balanced nutrition plan. Make sure you also get enough rest between training sessions.

  1. Weight training will increase sprinting speed. Hit the gym and blast your quads, hamstrings and calves. Use moderate weight for high repetitions. Do some squats, leg extensions and curls, leg presses and seated and standing calf raises. Slowly lower the weights after you finish each repetition, which will increase the difficulty of the exercise. You may need to take a day off from running after you train with weights, to let your legs recover.
  2. Do some plyometrics to work on your sprinting speed. Perform a variety of lower body plyometrics a couple of times each week. Do some box jumps, lateral jumps and one-legged jumps. Plyometrics can put a strain on your joints, so make sure to stretch before and after each session.
  3. Hit the track for some interval training. You can increase sprinting speed by improving your overall fitness level. Jog a quarter-mile lap around the track to warm up, then do some interval training. Sprint 100 yards, then jog 100 yards without resting. Repeat this pattern for four full laps around the track, which is one mile. Take a rest and grab some water, and then sprint 50 yards and jog 50 yards for one-half mile. End the session by jogging a full lap and then stretch your legs.
  4. Take a look at your diet. It is important to get the proper amount of nutrition when you are an athlete. If you are running on an empty tank, your sprinting speed will decrease. Make sure you are eating the proper amount of food for your bodyweight, and try to cut down on the amount of calories that come from fat.
Posted on: Aug. 02, 2010