Appears in642 Workouts*

Sprint

Unleash your inner speed demon! Sprint to boost your power, coordination, and fitness. Perfect for athletes and fitness enthusiasts!

The Sprint is a compound exercise that mainly works the quads and glutes & hips, with help from the hamstrings and calves / shins. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Sprint demo video 2
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Sprint Muscles Worked

Primary

Quads (quadriceps femoris); Glutes (gluteus maximus)

Secondary

Hamstrings; Lower Calf (soleus)

How to do the Sprint

Warm-up: Begin with a proper warm-up consisting of dynamic stretching to prepare your muscles and joints for the explosive movement. Mobility work for ankles, knees, and hips can be beneficial.

Starting Position: Start from a balanced standing position or a sprinter's starting block for a more powerful launch.

Engage Core: Engage your core for stability, and ensure your weight is on the balls of your feet.

Initial Drive: When ready to sprint, lean slightly forward and drive off with your back leg, pushing through the balls of your feet, propelling yourself forward.

Acceleration: Accelerate with quick, powerful strides and a rapid arm swing opposite your leg movement to maintain balance and momentum.

Maintaining Speed: Focus on a smooth, fast cadence, with your knees lifting high and pushing the ground away behind you with each step.

Posture: Keep your head up with your gaze forward, your shoulders relaxed, and avoid tensing up, which can slow you down.

End of Sprint: Depending on the sprint length, either continue to increase speed or maintain a steady, fast pace. For short-distance sprints, gradually decelerate as you approach the end to a complete stop.

Cool Down: After sprinting, cool down with light jogging and static stretching to aid recovery.

Safety Tips: Remember to listen to your body and do not overexert yourself, especially if you are new to sprinting or are not used to high-impact exercises. Proper form is essential to avoid injury.

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Sprint FAQs

What muscles does the Sprint work?

The Sprint mainly works the quads and glutes & hips, with help from the hamstrings and calves / shins. The main muscles are the quadriceps femoris and gluteus maximus.

What equipment do you need for the Sprint?

None. The Sprint is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

Is the Sprint a compound exercise?

Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.

What workout day should the Sprint go on?

It belongs on leg day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Sprint variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Assault Run, Downward Dog Sprint, High-Knee Sprint and Power Skip.

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