Story By Coach Bjorn Jansen
At SpeedPro, our athletics coaching integrates strength work into the indoor season to support speed, protect the body, and build championship resilience. This article explains how strength and power training shape performance across the indoor season.
Why Strength Matters During the Indoor Season
Indoor tracks challenge an athlete's body in unique ways. The tighter bends require greater stability, the fast accelerations demand explosive force, and the repeated rounds test strength under fatigue.
Developing strength for the indoor season improves:
- power through acceleration
- control around bends
- posture and running mechanics
- resilience against injury
Athletes who invest in structured strength training are better equipped to handle the demands of indoor competition and progress into the outdoor season with confidence.
Building Power for Indoor Performance
Power is the link between strength and speed. Indoors, where athletes have less space to accelerate, power plays a critical role in how quickly they can reach top speed.
At SpeedPro, we focus on:
- Olympic lifting variations for explosiveness
- plyometrics for stiffness and speed
- resisted and assisted sprints
- specific drills that reinforce technical power
Athletes match their power work to the right track days, so everything links together. With the right balance, they feel fast, sharp and ready to perform.
Strength Training That Supports Speed
Strength work for the indoor season is not about lifting as heavy as possible. It is about building functional stability and efficiency.
Our coaching focuses on:
- glute and hamstring strength for acceleration
- core stability for control on bends
- single-leg strength to improve symmetry
- mobility to maintain range and posture
This targeted approach reduces injury risk and allows athletes to hold form at high speed, which is essential for indoor performance where mistakes cost metres.
Integrating Strength Into the Indoor Season Plan
Strength and power work must fit seamlessly into the broader training structure. Too much load leads to fatigue; too little limits progress.
At SpeedPro, we integrate strength work around key sessions. Heavy lifts pair with lower-volume track days, while explosive and plyometric work aligns with speed-focused training.
This approach ensures that every session contributes to the broader goal of indoor season performance and long-term athlete development.
Why Strength Training Boosts Confidence
When athletes feel strong, everything changes. Strength work gives them the stability, control, and belief to execute their race model when it matters.
For athletes preparing for the indoor season, this confidence is invaluable. It allows them to attack bends, maintain their pace, and keep form when fatigue sets in.
Finish Line
Strength and power training are essential parts of indoor season preparation. When planned with purpose, they support speed, protect the body, and create the resilience athletes need for championship racing.
At SpeedPro, our athletics coaching ensures every strength session serves a purpose, helping athletes develop the power and confidence that lead to indoor and outdoor success.
