03 · TRAINING PROGRAM

An example program built around the sprint season.

This is how I would organize a training cycle for myself: start by building strength, turn more of that strength into fast force, then make speed the main priority as races get closer.

READ THIS FIRST

This is an example, not a prescription. Training age, school sport, injury history, meet schedule, and coaching all change what a good plan looks like. I would adjust the volume before forcing myself to complete a week exactly as written.

THE BIG PICTURE

Three phases, one direction.

Every phase keeps some sprinting and some strength work. What changes is the main emphasis and how much fatigue I am willing to carry.

014–6 WEEKS

Strength emphasis

Build force and useful positions

The weight room carries more volume here, while short accelerations keep sprint mechanics in the plan. I would finish this phase stronger without feeling slow or beat up.

EXERCISE MENUSquat or trap-bar deadlift · RFESS · step-up · hip thrust · low-volume jumps · 10–30 m accelerations
023–4 WEEKS

Speed-strength emphasis

Move meaningful loads faster

Heavy lifting drops slightly. Jumps, throws, Olympic-lift variations, and fast concentric intent get more attention. Max-velocity work becomes a regular part of the week.

EXERCISE MENUJump squat · clean pull · bounds · hurdle hops · fly sprints · one heavy lift kept for strength
033–4 WEEKS

Speed and competition

Arrive fresh enough to sprint fast

Track quality now comes first. Lifting volume falls, but a small amount of intensity stays in so strength does not disappear. The last week may be lighter before an important race.

EXERCISE MENUBlock starts · fly 10–30 m · speed endurance · low-volume jumps · brief heavy or ballistic strength work
ONE WEEK

High days together, easier days between them.

I use high and low to describe nervous-system and impact demand, not effort or character. Grouping the fastest work with lifting leaves clearer recovery days between quality sessions.

MONHIGH

Acceleration + lower-body strength

Short starts and 10–30 m sprints first. Lift afterward: explosive movement, main lift, unilateral work, then trunk.

TUELOW

Recovery + easy movement

Mobility, an easy tempo option, upper-body work, or complete rest depending on soreness and school stress.

WEDHIGH

Max velocity + power

Build-ups into fly sprints with full rest. Follow with jumps or throws and a short power-focused lift.

THULOW

Restore and review

Easy movement, rehab work, and video or notes from the previous sessions. No need to turn recovery into another test.

FRIHIGH

Speed endurance + full-body lift

Longer fast reps with generous rest. The lift is brief and avoids extra volume that would ruin track quality.

SAT / SUNRESET

Optional low day + one full day off

One light technical or tempo day can fit here. At least one day stays completely open for recovery.

INSIDE THE WEIGHT ROOM

Put the highest-priority work first.

The exact exercises can change. The order keeps fast, technical work from being buried under fatigue.

I would rather leave one accessory unfinished than lower the quality of the next sprint session.
01

Warm up and prepare

Raise body temperature, move through the positions needed that day, and use a few progressive sets instead of a long routine that drains energy.

02

Explosive work

Jumps, throws, or an Olympic-lift variation. Keep the reps low enough that speed and landing quality stay high.

03

Main lift

Squat, trap-bar deadlift, or another major pattern that matches the phase. This is the clearest strength target of the session.

04

Secondary and unilateral work

RFESS, step-ups, RDLs, hip thrusts, or hamstring work. Choose a few useful movements instead of collecting every exercise.

05

Trunk, lower leg, and notes

Finish with targeted support work, then record load, sets, reps, RPE, pain, and anything that affected the session.