There are a lot of ways to get faster. There are speed programs such as mine that help people get faster. There are special shoes supposedly that help people get faster. Most speed coaches that have taken the time to put together a system have created it based on years of studying theories, putting them into play, and creating the perfect mix for you.

I’ve also learned that some people just don’t have the resources to be able to utilize such speed programs. Maybe they can’t afford a program or just don’t have any training facility near them that trains people to get faster.

What I thought I would do would list 5 simple ways that will help you get faster. You don’t need a coach. You don’t need fancy tools. These are things you could do today and start getting faster.

1. Lower Your Bodyfat

Have you ever tried running fast with a backpack full of books. It is tough to do. That is the same as having excess bodyfat. Shift your bodyfat composition around so that it is low, your muscle is high, and you will be able to move faster. The more muscle that you have available to use for speed, the faster you will become.

2. Run On The Balls Of Your Feet

I see so many athletes that run flat footed or worse, run on their heels. You increase shockwaves through your body by running on your heels. You generate power by running on the balls of your feet. You ever try to shoot a lay-up in basketball. You don’t jump off the heel, you jump off the ball of your foot. The same when you are trying to run fast. Get up on the balls of your feet. Watch this short video I created on this subject.

3. Get Stronger

I don’t know where I heard it, but a fast athlete is a strong athlete. If you are weak, the chances of you being real fast isn’t good. This is the one simple way that needs a little bit of planning, but if you are on a good strength program, that will definitely help you get fast. When I was a strength coach at Columbus Academy, we had kids that put in the hard work in the weight room. Pound for pound, they were strong kids, but what was interesting was the speed they developed. Some of those kids had no business being as fast as they were, but a big part was their strength program.

4. Pump Your Arms

As much as I see people running flat foot, I also see arm action that isn’t conducive to fast running. You want to run faster? Don’t focus on moving your legs faster, pump your arms faster. Your arms moving fast, with the proper range of motion, will directly get your legs to move faster.

5. Run Sprints

In order to run fast you have to train fast. If you do all of the above, then start doing this 5th thing to get you faster. They don’t have to be long sprints. You pick the distance based on your sport, anywhere from 10 – 40 yards. But run some. After all of the corrections you have just done, you start running sprints (on the balls of your feet, pumping your arms, your legs are stronger, and your excess bodyfat is gone), you will be faster.

That is it. Basically, ways to get faster on a budget. Sure there are a lot of other methods to get you faster. Like I said, if you don’t have the means these are the ways. Just do it and you’ll be faster than the guy on your team that isn’t doing diddly squat.