For the life of me, I can’t figure out why anyone would not want to do speed training.  Who doesn’t want to be able to run faster than their opponents?  Apparently, there are people out there that feel speed training is just not for them.  So, I’m going to provide you the top 10 reasons why people don’t want speed training.

Note: Sometimes my readers are a serious bunch so I’m going to forewarn you – THERE IS SOME SARCASM IN THIS LIST.

  1. “I Enjoy Being Slow” – There are some people that believe, slow and steady wins the race.  I always feel that statement was said by someone who wasn’t fast.  Look, I get it.  If you’re slow, there are no expectations that you are going to be able to get an infield single.  It should be understood by your team that if you happen to hit the ball and it doesn’t go out of the infield, you will be out.  They shouldn’t get mad, that’s just how it is because you are slow.  You also won’t be used for a pinch runner anytime soon.  Hey, one less demand you have to put on yourself, so go relax.
  2. “Don’t Have Time” – People tell me, “you know, I’d be in great shape like you if I had a job where I got to work out all the time.  I just don’t have the time.”  Actually, I don’t work out all the time.  I get in the gym 3, maybe 4 times a week, going for 75 minutes each time.  So, I don’t spend loads of time in the gym and you don’t have to either with speed training.  If you want to be fast, the fact of the matter is you got to put in the time to do it.  I got gymnasts that train 5 days a week, 4 hours a day (after going to school), and on their off days, come in to train with me to get faster because they need to in order to achieve their goals.  You have to be the same way.  It’s easy to find excuses not to do something and usually those people are sitting on the sidelines.
  3. “Uh, I Really Don’t Need To Be Fast For My Sport” – Okay, you got me there.  I tried and tried, but could not get this chess player into my facility.  I said it would help his reaction time, but he wanted nothing of it.  So, I guess there are a few sports where running speed is irrelevant – golf, golf, and maybe golf.  Is a staring contest a sport?
  4. “I’m Already Fast” – Look, if the fastest man on the planet, Superman, can train with me, I’m sure you can learn a few things from me as well.  Superman did train with me.  You can read about it here.  Okay, I thought it was a funny blog post, but you wouldn’t be alone if you didn’t agree with me.  Seriously though, do you know who Travelle Gains is?  He is the speed and strength coach for Tennessee Titans running back, Chris Johnson.  Do you know how fast Chris Johnson is?  He ran a 4.24 in the 40 at the NFL Combine.  If that guy with that speed uses a speed coach, then until you run a faster time in the 40, you better come talk to me.
  5. “Don’t Want To Be Too Fast” – Yeah, we’ve had athletes train with us that got too fast.  It really put them on the spot.  No one could tackle them from behind.  No one could throw them out at second.  They were tracking down every ball in tennis and returning them like a human wall.  They really felt like they had done something illegal to get that decided advantage over the opposition.  Who wants to have that advantage (sarcasm laid on thick here)?
  6. “You Aren’t A Hot Female Speed Coach” – Even though I feel I am a pretty attractive looking dude, I can understand the allure of a fetching female speed coach.  Female athletes aspire to be them and male athletes want to be with them.  Look, I do not see myself turning into a female in the foreseeable future, so the best I can do is wear some tight spandex.  I really don’t think you want to see me in those.  Although, if we get at least 20 requests in the comments box below, I will pose for a picture on this post.  Except if you are those guys from Cell Block D.  I told you to stop sending me those photos.
  7.  “Too Pricey” – I know tennis and baseball instructors that charge up to $70 – $80 an hour.  There is a guy that charges people how to improve your ball handling for basketball.  You’re going to pay money for something you can do on your own in your driveway?  I’ve priced my program at a fair price and if that is too expensive for you, you can click here and get the digital version and do it yourself for a fraction of the cost.  You just have to make it a priority.  Stop purchasing frivolous items and invest in your athletic potential.
  8. “You Don’t Like Me” – I think you and I both know that is a YOU problem and not a ME problem.  In the words of the immortal Sgt. Hulka from the classic movie Stripes, “I think I’m one helluva guy.  I got a hell of a sense of humor.”  If I really rub you the wrong way, then I guess I don’t want you around me either, but I’ve had a lot of success getting athletes faster.  I’m not asking you to marry me.  I already got a wife.
  9. “Speed Training Doesn’t Work” – There is so much research in the last 20 years out there that refutes this statement.  I can’t do it justice by commenting in 3 or 4 sentences.  What I will say is that can I get you to be an Olympic sprinter?  Not unless you are genetically predispositioned, but I can get you faster than what you currently are at.  And that might make all the difference in the world for your sport.
  10. “There Isn’t An App For It” – You’re right.  There isn’t an app that you can purchase that will transform you to a speed demon.  I’m sorry about that.  But, I heard there were some eggheads working on that so maybe there is hope for you yet.