A common question we get is ‘Do I need to strength for speed?’. There are many debates to this question, so we have the answer for you.
Coach John Novak takes us through why it is important to have strength for speed.
Research indicates a strong correlation between maximal strength relative to body mass in full body and lower body strength training movements and sprint times. This means that it is likely that the stronger an athlete is for their body weight, the faster their times in short sprints will be.
Efficiency in exercise selection and prescription in strength training for speed is also critically important. We are looking to increase maximal strength primarily in full body and lower body movements without unnecessary increases in body mass.
Therefore, we choose to prioritize the use of heavy squats, deadlifts, single leg training, and Olympic lifting over isolating specific muscles and training like a bodybuilder.