The Best Speed-Training Equipment by Goal and Budget
Organized by what you're training, not just a list of products. Every confirmed recommendation below includes who it's for, what it doesn't do well, and a cheaper alternative where one exists.
Acceleration
Tools for overloading the drive phase — the first 20-30m of a sprint — covered in the acceleration guides in the training library.
SKLZ Speed Chute
BudgetResistance parachute
Builds drive-phase power by adding resistance during the first 20-30m of a sprint, without changing your running mechanics the way a sled can.
Advantages
- Adjustable waist belt fits a range of body sizes.
- Resistance comes from air drag, so it scales naturally with your own sprint speed.
- No setup beyond clipping in — usable on any open field or track.
Drawbacks
- Wind conditions change how much resistance you actually get, session to session.
- Parachute deployment can be inconsistent on very short sprints (under ~20m).
- Not useful indoors.
Lower-cost alternative: A long resistance band anchored behind you (see sprint resistance bands below) gives similar drive-phase overload without wind dependency, usually for less.
Rubberbanditz Athlete Training Bands
BudgetSprint resistance bands
Adds resistance to short sprints, starts, and lateral movement drills — a portable alternative to sleds or chutes.
Advantages
- Works indoors or outdoors, unaffected by wind.
- One band covers sprint starts, lateral shuffles, and general resistance work.
- Compact enough to travel with.
Drawbacks
- Needs a partner or fixed anchor point to use for resisted sprints.
- Resistance changes non-linearly as the band stretches, which takes some getting used to.
- Bands wear out with heavy use and need periodic replacement.
Sprint Mechanics
Footwork and change-of-direction tools for the drills covered in the sprint mechanics guides.
Scandinavian Sports Speed Training Set
Mid-rangeAgility ladder, cones & jump rope set
Bundles the basic tools for footwork and change-of-direction drills so you're not buying each piece separately.
Advantages
- One purchase covers ladder, cones, and jump rope instead of three separate ones.
- Comes with a printed drill program, useful if you don't already know footwork drills.
- Compact carrying bag for practice or team use.
Drawbacks
- Individual pieces are typically cheaper bought separately if you only need one.
- Bundle quality on any multi-piece kit tends to be a step below dedicated single-purpose gear.
Lower-cost alternative: If you only need one piece (e.g., just a jump rope for footwork), buying that single item is usually cheaper than the full set.
Measuring Speed
Ways to check whether the numbers from the Race Predictor and 400m Split Calculator hold up in real training.
Garmin Forerunner 165
PremiumGPS running watch — premium
Lets you measure actual pace, distance, and cadence during training instead of relying on manual stopwatch splits.
Advantages
- Built-in GPS with up to 19 hours of battery life in GPS mode, 11 days in smartwatch mode.
- Tracks cadence, stride length, and ground contact time alongside pace.
- Includes adaptive training plans and daily suggested workouts.
Drawbacks
- Costs meaningfully more than a basic stopwatch or phone app for someone who only needs simple lap times.
- GPS accuracy for very short sprints (under ~100m) is less precise than a handheld stopwatch or timing gates.
Lower-cost alternative: The COROS PACE 3 below offers similar core GPS/training features at a lower price if the extra Garmin features aren't needed.
COROS PACE 3
Mid-rangeGPS running watch — budget
Same core need as the Garmin above — measuring real pace and distance — at a lower price point.
Advantages
- Lightweight at roughly 30g, easy to forget you're wearing it.
- Up to 24 days of battery life in daily use, 38 hours of continuous GPS tracking.
- Dual-frequency GPS chipset for better accuracy in built-up areas.
Drawbacks
- Fewer advanced running-dynamics metrics (like ground contact time) than the Garmin.
- Smaller ecosystem of third-party apps/integrations than Garmin Connect.
Lower-cost alternative: A basic stopwatch is cheaper still if you don't need GPS pace data at all.
Strength & Power
Equipment for the strength-and-power work covered alongside sprint training in the guides.
What to look for in a weighted vest
Choose a vest with even weight distribution across the chest and back, not just front-loaded, with adjustable load increments and a quick-release buckle. Avoid vests that shift or bounce during sprint work, since that changes your running mechanics more than it adds useful overload. We have not selected a specific model yet.
Footwear
What to wear on the track versus in daily training.
adidas Adizero Sprintstar
Mid-rangeSprint spike — entry-level
Provides the traction a rubber-soled training shoe can't on a track surface, without the stiffness or cost of a top-tier competition spike.
Advantages
- TPU spike plate suited to 100m-400m racing.
- Lighter, more flexible ride than stiff carbon-plated spikes — commonly recommended as a first spike.
- Rubberized outsole sections add durability in high-wear areas.
Drawbacks
- Sizing runs differently than everyday trainers — most guidance recommends trying a half-size down from your normal running shoe.
- Not intended for daily training mileage — spikes are for racing and spike-specific workouts only.
- Requires a track (or turf) with a spike-compatible surface; unusable on regular pavement.
Lower-cost alternative: A well-fitted pair of standard track cleats or flats without spikes can work for beginner sprint practice before investing in true spikes.
Recovery
Tools for the recovery work covered in the training library, used between hard sprint sessions.
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
BudgetFoam roller
Self-myofascial release tool for muscle recovery between sessions, an alternative or complement to stretching.
Advantages
- Rigid hollow core holds its shape and supports up to 500 lbs, so it won't compress flat like cheaper foam.
- 13-inch size is compact enough for home use or a gym bag.
- Textured surface targets specific tight spots more precisely than a plain cylinder.
Drawbacks
- Firmer than basic foam rollers, which can be uncomfortable for first-time users on very sore muscles.
- Doesn't reach small or awkward areas (feet, forearms) as well as a smaller massage ball would.
Lower-cost alternative: A plain, non-textured foam roller costs less and covers the same large-muscle-group rolling, just with less targeted texture.