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Home » Q & A » Strength Training
Question: Can you train your body to improve by speed training instead of strength training?
Question Description:
I was told that weights slow down your reflexes for sports activity. I believe it does with some people being everyone's body is different. Anyway, you do build strength through speed but not as much as speed through strength anyone find this to be true? I mean if I'm doing lots of sprints I'm building muscle within my speed training so really there's no need to stress strength training in itself am I correct?
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Answer#1: Okay, this isn't as easy to answer as you'd like! Muscle is generally comprised of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers. Fast-twitch is for explosive compression--think of it as lifting weights, acceleration, raw speed and strength. You need these to come off of the line in football, or for rapid acceleration, or for moving heavy objects.Slow twitch is generally more of the endurance type muscle. You can do repetivie motion more easily, such as running for long distances, etc.You need both!Weights definitely do not slow reflexes. However, development of substantial muscle CAN slow you down. Far too many of the muscle-heads get bulked up, and don't stretch enough. They have much shortened (though very strong) tendons and muscles, so rapid movement over a longer range is slowed by the tightness of the muscles and tendons themselves. There is also a question of outright mass--a 240 lb power lifter is just going to be slower over the distance than a 140 lb professional runner.Sprints can do a lot to increase your speed and muscle tone. However, don't throw out weights either. While you may not want to bulk up and have to move additional mass, the additional of fast-twitch muscle from power lifting may be a great advantage in allowing you to accelerate from 0 to full speed faster than you presently can. Races can be won or lost at the starting gate.A good regimen of weights can also speed your ability to develop slow-twitch fibers.I'd recommend some checking some boards on running and fitness specialists and see what they recommend, but I believe most knowledgeable professionals would agree that until you reach your ideal goal weight and strength, weights can definitely assist you in your goals.Additionally, consider some stomach, back and chest exercises. Core strength is also intimately tied up with endurance, injury reduction, and speed.
Answer#2: yes doing agility and speed drills does increase muscle but its a different kind of muscle. depending on what sport you are playing and what position this may be enough but in some cases there are no alternatives to plain old lifting metal which is a much more noticeable and larger gain in muscle mass
Answer#3: it might be a good idea to do both strength training and speed or explosive training to stimulate both slow and fast twitch muscle fibers. if your concern is how it will affect sports activity, perhaps you should put your focus on sport-specific exercises.
Answer#4: sure but you have to increase the time of training not the mass
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