6 Speed Training Types: How to Become a Faster, Stronger, More Agile Athlete

If you want to become a better athlete, speed training is a must. Although its primary aim is to breed explosive power in the lower body, it also improves athletic ability overall, helps to prevent sports injuries, and delivers a productive cardio workout. 

To get the most out of your speed training and perform a cut above the competition, get with a program that will tailor your training to your goals while additionally training your mind to stay motivated alongside your body. 

There 6 main types of speed training that will have you going for gold are:

Strength Training

Strength training isn’t just about brute strength— It’s about improving your ability to perform high-intensity movements with the perfect balance of speed and strength. 

Movements that target the hamstrings, glutes, and quads will have you moving faster on the field.

Agility Training

Agility is more than speed— It’s the ability to change direction quickly and bring explosive momentum to your body, even when you start from a still position.

A variety of footwork drills can augment your agility, giving every area of your athleticism an upgrade.

Plyo Exercises

Plyometrics aren’t just annoyingly hard jumps— They increase your explosivity and elevate your heart rate to kick your body into optimum gear to get it on the field.

Workouts where you utilize your own bodyweight to build power, such as box jumps and burpees, will significantly improve your performance in any sport.

Running Drills

Running drills don’t need to be a drag— Keep in mind that they will not only increase your speed but also give your overall athletic performance a boost.

Improve your form and speed and work out many different muscle groups with warm-up drills like high-knees and butt-kicks.

Interval Running

Interval running is a HIIT workout— That means you will get more out of less, all while giving your cardiovascular system a boost and increasing your speed.

Run in short bursts and take brief breaks to recover in order to reap the biggest increase in speed and agility from running.

Fartlek Training

Fartleks are all about how you feel— Meaning speed play in Swedish, this type of training allows you to follow your own feelings and have fun while training yourself to move faster.

Switch between challenging speeds and an easy pace to train your body to run for long distances without getting tired.

Level-Up Your Training With Performance One’s Programs

Want to be faster, stronger, and more agile? Get your head in the game and don’t skip speed training. Chances are, your competition won’t be far behind unless you train diligently and with skillful focus.

Make the most of your time and energy with Performance One’s training programs in Utah, and you’ll…

Have more fun on the fieldLearn how to stay focused and resilientStay in tip-top shapePerform with more power and agilityPrevent injury so you never have to sit outServe as an inspiration for other athletes and players on your team

Whether you prefer to train with a group or in an online 1:1 setting, Performance One has you covered. Become a better athlete, collaborative team player, and more healthy and confident person— Call us today to learn about our athletic training programs and more.

PERFORMANCE COACH

Heather Berglund

Heather Berglund is a certified personal trainer and yoga instructor with over a decade of coaching experience. A former Division I soccer player at Utah State University, she understands firsthand what it takes to compete and perform at a high level. Heather specializes in youth athletic development, combining strength, speed, and confidence-building in a supportive and empowering environment. She continues to advance her education through coursework with Universal Speed Rating and Overtime Athletes, staying at the forefront of speed and agility training to help young athletes thrive—both on and off the field.

Performance Coach

Kyle Blendinger

A former standout collegiate baseball player, Kyle Blendinger brings high-level playing and coaching experience to the training floor. Drafted in 2017, Kyle was a four-year varsity starter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and competed in the College World Series in 2018. He holds a degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Coaching and spent three years coaching at the collegiate level before transitioning into full-time performance training. Now in his fourth year as a trainer, Kyle has worked with several MLB players and numerous collegiate athletes. His approach blends firsthand athletic experience with science-based training and nutrition strategies to help athletes perform at their peak.