You've probably seen the sleds on the gym floor. Sled training has gained popularity in recent years as a powerful tool for enhancing athletic and general gym performance. It involves dragging or pushing a weighted sled along the ground, which provides resistance and challenges the body in unique ways. In this article, we will explore the benefits of sled training on your gym performance. However, you don't have to be an athlete training for performance or gains to use a sled in your workouts.
Improved Strength - Sled training is an excellent way to improve strength, especially in the lower body. The resistance provided by the sled forces the muscles to work harder, leading to greater gains in strength and power. The use of a sled for training can help to develop stronger calf's, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, which are essential for running, jumping, and many other sports all brought on by how you push or pull the sled under certain loads. Even if you are just trying to build strength for every day life, throwing in some sled training is a great way to spice it up and keep your muscles guessing.
Enhanced Speed and Agility - Sled training can improve speed and agility by requiring athletes to push against resistance while running or performing other movements. This resistance strengthens the acting muscles and enhances the neuromuscular coordination necessary for quick and agile movements. Additionally, with additional set up the sled can be used for lateral movements, improving side-to-side agility and quickness vital for athlete who make quick changes in direction ie Football and basketball.
Increased Endurance - Sled training can also increase endurance by challenging the cardiovascular system in unique ways. The heavy resistance provided by the sled can raise the heart rate and force the body to work harder, which can improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Athletes who incorporate sled training into their routines may notice that they can run longer, faster, and with greater ease after a short time under programming.
Injury Prevention - Sled training can also help prevent injuries by strengthening muscles and improving neuromuscular coordination. Anyone prone to lower body injuries can benefit from sled training, as it can help improve stability and reduce the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries due to the utilization of the smaller intrinsic muscle groups in the lower body.
Improved Mental Toughness - Sled training can also improve mental toughness by requiring athletes to push themselves through fatigue and discomfort. The mental strength required to push through a heavy sled workout can carry over to competition, helping athletes stay focused and determined during challenging events or give the general gym goer self confidence boost.
Sport-Specific Training - Sled training can be tailored to specific sports, making it an effective tool for sport-specific training. For example, athletes who play football or rugby can use sled training to improve their ability to push through resistance and break tackles. Sled training can also be used to improve jumping ability in sports like basketball and volleyball.
In conclusion, sled training is a versatile and effective tool for enhancing training. Its ability to improve strength, speed, endurance, agility, and mental toughness makes it a valuable addition to any athlete's training routine. Athletes who incorporate sled training into their training, improve their overall athletic performance and reduce the risk of injury, leading to greater success on the field or court or the gym in general.
This is your sign to incorporate some sled training to your routine. If you are still unsure how to do this, our Personal Trainers can help you! Schedule a free session today!
Author:
Fraser Gunn
HND Sports Therapy
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
Les Mills Instructor - Pump, Attack, Tone, GRIT and Sprint
Personal Trainer and Group Fitness instructor , The GYM @ Milford and The GYM @ Norton
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