Training with a weighted sled may seem a little out of your league. For most, it conjures up images of NFL linebackers at the combine with veins about to burst from their foreheads. But it’s actually pretty simple, with relatively little risk of injury. Anyone can do it. You don’t need to pull 100lbs, and you don’t have to have any experience.
Working out regularly will lead to a stronger, leaner, and more durable body. Results can be realized quickly at first, but for those who are more advanced, significant results become harder to achieve. The more you workout, the more efficient your body becomes at performing that workout. Eventually you’ll reach a point where you don’t feel much improvement – the dreaded plateau. How do you break through a plateau? You’ve got to change things up, add more intensity to your workout, and make it more difficult.
Weighted Sled Training
The SKLZ Speedsac Adjustable Weight Sled allows you to add extra resistance to sprints and sport-specific drills and increases leg drive, speed, power and explosiveness. Improve your 40 yard dash time or build total lower body strength. The SKLZ Speed Sled is versatile and effective.
Running is a natural movement, you won’t need to spend time mastering the technique as you would for technical lifts like squats or deadlifts. Simply attach the sled to your waist and go. While you can certainly hurt yourself if you use it improperly, the additional resistance from the sled doesn’t alter the form of your body while you’re running, which keeps the risk of injury low.
The SKLZ Speed Sled
SKLZ is a well known and trusted brand that specializes in designing and producing training tools for athletes. They devote a huge part of their time and resources to redefining training methods and developing new and innovative ways to improve athletic performance. They manufacture specialized training equipment to enhance and develop sport-specific skills. They originally produced a weighted vest, but have discontinued the product and replaced it with the Speed Sled.
Related Reading: Benefits of Running with a Weighted Vest
The SKLZ speed sled is essentially a “sac” which holds the weight attached by a strap to a belt that you wear around your waist. The amount of weight you use is adjustable. It comes with 3 bags that can be filled with up to 10lbs of sand each (the sand is not included). The length of the strap is adjustable and can be attached to the belt from any angle, so you can pull the weight forward, sideways, or even in reverse.
The bottom of the sled (the part that drags along the ground) is made of a durable, abrasion resistant rubber runner. However, it’s recommended to only use on grass, turf, or wood, as other materials can affect the lifespan of the product.
SKLZ also produces a Resistance Parachute for speed training. The benefit of the sled vs the parachute is you get the added resistance instantly vs a short delay while the parachute fills with air as you accelerate. This helps you build power and explosiveness right off the blocks. Of course, the parachute has it’s own benefits – you can use it pretty much anywhere and run farther distances without regard to what you’re running on.
Pros
- Increases lower body strength, power and explosiveness
- Amount of weight is adjustable
- 360 degree belt allows for pulling in any direction
- Belt and pulling strap are adjustable
- Abrasion resistant rubber on bottom of sled
- Produced by a well known and trusted brand
Cons
- Only one side has the rubber runner, previous model was rubber on both sides
- Limited to 30lbs
Summary
SKLZ is a well known brand that designs and manufactures innovative athletic and sport-specific training equipment. The Speedsac Adjustable Weight Sled is a well-designed, well-made, useful and effective product. From sprinters to football players to anyone just looking to enhance their workout, the SKLZ speed sled will help you build lower body strength and increase your speed, power, and explosiveness.
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