As a high jumper, my training consists of 4 main areas

• Jump technique
• Sprinting
• Strength training
• Plyometrics and explosiveness training

Naturally, some of these are critical in a seven-foot high jump. Jump technique alone accounts for a massive portion of a jump, while being explosive is another large part. However, my coach set one of my Key Performance Indicators (KPI) on weight room numbers.

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t see deadlifts adding 4 inches to my jump, but I trust him and have been executing accordingly.

Many studies and books have agreed with my thinking. Top textbooks in track and field have noted that strength levels on lifts like the clean, snatch and deadlift do not correlate well with performance.

I learned today that they are wrong.

Over the past 4 months, my strength levels have increased substantially. Currently I am the strongest I have ever been, thanks to consistency in the weight room. The results are speaking for themselves:

• My bad knee hasn’t been problematic since Dec 11
• My other bad knee (lol) has been great since Nov 28
• Shot put heaves (where you throw the shot over your head backwards) are at a lifetime best
• Most importantly, I opened my season with one of my better jumps ever and set a new lifetime best jump in practice today at 2.10m. Even more encouraging, it was a clean jump with lots of room

As you can see, it has been a promising start to the season. In December I reduced the volume in sprint workouts and increased weight training intensity. My drills, physical health and performances have all been improving.

I finally buy in. Do you?

Let me know in the comments below your experiences with strength and performance.