Hill Sprints – Three Reasons they are the Secret Weapon in Training!

Hill Sprints are the workout we all have a love/hate relationship with. They are so hard, but so good all at the same time. Below are three benefits of Hill Sprints (Plus a Bonus!). Hill Sprints really are the secret weapon in every training cycle. It is rare that you find a workout that can translate into so many benefits! They are a must try!

1. Strengthen Running Muscles – Hidden Strength Training – Hill Sprints are a form of resistance training. They are strengthening your Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Calves, and Glutes.
2. Reduce Injury – See Above! Speed work is a great way to improve running speed; however, it comes with the risk of pushing to hard and running faster than your body is ready for. With hill sprints you are not capable of sprinting into injury. They allow you to strength muscles, without the risk of reaching the top speeds that increase risk of injury.
3. Improve Running Form – Hill Sprints require your body to fall into proper running form. High Knee Drive, Forefoot to Midfoot, and you can practice controlled breathing as your heart rate is quickly increasing.
4. Bonus! Increase Mental Toughness – Hill Sprints take self-discipline; you have to have the will power to keep running back down to sprint back up. They are also confidence boosters, if you can run strong steep hills repeatedly in practice, you can conquer anything on race day. (Or any obstacle in Life!)

I feel like most people I talk with don’t take advantage of adding hill sprints to their training cycle. I truly think they are the secret weapon! They will allow you to add in strength, speed, and endurance training all in one!

To Start Implementing Hill Sprints – Adding Your Secret Weapon.

• Find a hill (or treadmill with an incline) that takes you at least 20-30 seconds to get to the top.
• Warm-Up (Jog & Drills)
• Add 3-5 Hill Sprints – Jog or walk to the bottom after each. Let Heart Rate lower back to resting.
• Cool-Down (Jog & Stretch)
• To increase intensity of workout, add more sprints, lower rest time, or increase hill distance.

Let me know if you try them!

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