There is one tool that is overlooked in our fitness routine. Overlooked by the exerciser, within facilities and overlooked in programming.

This is the resisted walk, and its big brother the resisted run, also known as sled pushes and/or pulls.  

The resisted walk can target the beginner through the elite athlete. It can be used to improve aerobic and anaerobic capacity, muscle endurance and strength as overall body composition changes.

The variety is almost endless with multiple variables at play. Resistance, range of motion, direction, and time.  Sled work can benefit all fitness levels and age groups as well as rivalling what you can get from other forms of cardiovascular and strength training.

Obstacles for not having sled options in your gym:

1.      Space. Not every gym has the space for a sled to be pushed or pulled.

2.       Flooring. Sled work is best on turf, not every gym has turf

3.      Programming expertise. How to program sled work is critical and based on assessment of the client and objectives as well as experience/knowledge base.

Some of the benefits to the gym or exerciser:

1.      Differentiates from other gyms.  

2.      Guaranteed results. You push a sled regularly you will get results.

3.      Versatility: cater to all fitness levels.

Solutions to overcome obstacles and tap into benefits:

1.      Add a sled/treadmill hybrid machine.

2.      Build knowledge base. Understanding how to progress safely and progressively before starting.

3.      If no space to accommodate: implement weighted carries into your routine. A little different than sled work, but many of the benefits  would still apply.