Sprint Drills Round Two

asweatlife_Sprint-Drills-Round-Two

(This is the second post in a series covering sprint drills. Want to check out the first one? Read it here.)

I was drawn to sprinting because I thought it would be a fun alternative to long distance running. I was right and Im really enjoying my workouts, but it turns out there are other benefits to the sport as well.

If you do a search on the positive effects of sprinting, youll see a list of recurring themes including fat loss, muscle building, increased speed and improved metabolism. (Since I started sprinting and going to Fit Body Boot Camp, my clothes fit better than they have in months.)  

There are many ways to incorporate sprinting into your fitness routine. If it’s the only workout I do for the day, I will add plank exercises, many of which Ive gotten from videos fitness trainer Gideon Akande posts on Instagram. You can also include aSweatLifes No Equipment Workout ideas, add sprints to a longer run or do them as a stand-alone workout.

In order to keep things interesting, I went back to my dad, track coach Pat Wilson for a new set of sprint drills. Before jumping in, remember to first run two laps, stretch and go through one round of sprint warm ups.

Otherwise, try them out and have fun!

Bounding

(Take a look at bounding at 3:57 in this video)

Bounding is basically leaping, as if youre jumping over a series of big puddles one foot at a time.

Do 10 bounds in a row, alternating feet.

Repeat three times.

High Knees

Line 10 9-inch cones (or something similar) 2 feet apart.

Run over them in a high knees motion: lift up your knee and toe as you pass over each cone.

Repeat 10 times.

Play around with it by separating the cones farther apart: 3, 4 or 5 feet.

Stride

As you run, count each time you land on your right foot. Once you get to 30, drop a marker (or a repurposed cone from above).

Repeat this up to 10 times (depending on your stamina) to see where you are in terms of developing your stride. The goal is to make it to 100 yards.

Keep in mind good form: land on ball of foot, bring your heel to your butt, extend your legs, keep your hands loose.

Dont do an all-out sprint; run as if you are chasing your dog.

After each drill, run two to three 50-yard pick ups,meaning that you gradually increase your speed up as you near the finish.

Have you added sprints to your workout? Have any good drills or tips of your own? Share them below!

Endurance Move

About Lori Wilson

After moving away from her hometown, just outside of Detroit, Lori has done her best to stay out of her former constantly-working-to-make-ends-meet rut. Having lived in Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver, Lori began her writing career covering soap operas. While she will always keep track of the latest returns from the dead on “General Hospital,” she now focuses her writing on fun ways to stay happy, fit and out of the house. Recent adventures have led to her love of indoor cycling, getting pampered at the spa and her new favorite city New Orleans. A Midwestern girl at heart, Lori is back in Chicago, where she continues her quest to top the thrill she felt her first time on the trapeze.