When it comes to functional fitness and athletic training, many gym owners, personal training studios, and performance centers believe that large spaces, like tracks at least 15 meters long, are necessary for optimal results. However, this is not always the case. In fact, short synthetic grass tracks, known as SpeedTrack or SprintTu, can be incredibly effective even in smaller sizes. Take, for example, our 1-meter wide and 4-meter long tracks, code 9192: they are sufficient for a wide range of high-intensity functional exercises.
Short tracks; maximum utility: The back-and-forth technique
Short tracks, used with the back-and-forth technique, reveal a surprising training potential. This method involves repetitive movements forward and backward over a short distance, maximizing the effectiveness of functional training without requiring large spaces. Even with just 4 meters in length, you can perform highly functional exercises such as lunges, jumps, lateral steps, squats, agility drills, even with weights and destabilizing weights like our FlowBag 8054. The track can also become the perfect space for High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and contrast training. Contrast training combines strength exercises with explosive movements immediately after, leveraging the principle of Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP). This approach improves power, strength, and speed, making the synthetic grass track perfect for alternating resistance exercises with jumps or explosive sprints. Even in a small space, the benefits of this advanced training technique can be maximized.
Training movement: A global approach
Using a synthetic grass track, even a small one, is particularly useful for training that involves movement in space. Unlike exercises that isolate specific muscle groups, functional training on a track develops overall motor skills. Daily life requires complex, integrated movements, not isolated ones. Even more so, an athlete’s performance depends on global capabilities that involve the entire body.
Functional training equipment, including synthetic grass tracks, is designed to stimulate the entire neuromuscular, skeletal, and joint system. Training on a surface that encourages dynamic and variable movements helps develop a full range of motor skills. Joint mobility, stability, strength, and coordination are all qualities that are enhanced through regular use of these tracks.
Rehabilitation, athletic training, and wellness
A short synthetic grass track becomes an extraordinary tool not only for athletic training but also for wellness and rehabilitation. The surface is ideal for barefoot training, as it feels pleasant to the touch and is not as cold as a traditional floor. This allows work on proprioception, improving body awareness in space, while also enhancing joint stabilization and overall muscle strengthening.
Exercises on a synthetic grass track strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot, which are crucial for maintaining balance and preventing injuries. At the same time, these exercises stimulate core activation, improving the ability to stabilize the torso during dynamic and challenging movements. The combination of these elements helps create a solid support base for the entire body, improving functional strength, endurance, and agility—essential elements for both daily life and athletic performance.
Additionally, training barefoot on a soft and comfortable surface offers specific benefits, especially for those recovering from injuries. The synthetic grass provides slight resistance and destabilization, “protecting” the joints from excessive impact and allowing for ground exercises with a more natural and less stressful feeling than on hard surfaces.
Conclusions: A valuable investment for every gym
Based on these considerations, it is evident that a synthetic grass track, even in reduced dimensions, represents a valuable and wise investment for every gym. Not only does it fit in just 4 square meters, but it also offers endless possibilities for functional, high-intensity, and rehabilitative training. It is a versatile and accessible tool that promotes a global approach to training, perfectly adapting to every need and level of physical preparation.
In conclusion, we strongly suggest evaluating the countless opportunities offered by synthetic grass tracks. A small space can make a big difference in the quality of training offered to clients.