4 Fun Activities To Improve Your Sprint

Are you a sprinter in desperate need of a change to your regular workout? Do you want to add more activities to stay in shape and make building strength and endurance more enjoyable? Here are a few fun ideas.

Bouldering 

If you have a bouldering gym in your area, this can be a fun alternative to rock climbing. The walls used for bouldering are much shorter, so you don’t need a harness or rope, and you can climb around on top of the boulders and chart whatever path you want. You don’t need any rock climbing experience, and you can go at your own pace and do what feels right and safe for you.

You can get a great workout by challenging yourself to tackle tougher areas of terrain and utilizing those crucial sprinting muscles- the hamstrings. It can also improve your balance and focus.

Biking

Whether you bike through city streets, along a rural road, or up a mountain, biking can strengthen your legs, improve endurance, and give you an enjoyable workout. Choosing to bike to school, or going on a long, Saturday ride with friends can boost your spirit, help you get a restful night’s sleep, and stave off illness. Cycling also helps build new brain cells in the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory, so you are contributing to your brain health as well!

Playing Tennis

Playing tennis can be a fun way to improve agility and balance. Skilled tennis players know the importance of proper footwork training. Before starting a tennis match with a friend, do a few shuttle runs to get your body warmed up and your feet prepared. 

Because you sprint a lot, your footwork is probably already pretty good. Pay attention to how you move around the court. Are your feet moving naturally and getting into proper position when you arrive at the ball? Are you keeping balanced as you strike the ball? Learn tips and strategies for improving footwork on the court, and not only will you improve your tennis game, but you might just increase your sprint times!

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is a great cardiovascular exercise. It can help improve coordination and harness your focus. Switch it up with double jumps, swinging the rope on either side, or playing double-dutch with friends. It may seem childish, but adult athletes jump rope all the time- from basketball players, to boxers, to martial artists. Jumping rope also strengthens the muscles surrounding your ankles in your feet, decreasing the likelihood of injury during a sprint. 

No matter what activities you choose to do, be safe and know your limits. Try a new activity occasionally to stay motivated in your sport and enjoy your life. You work hard to improve your sprint, have fun with it.