2255: The Smart Way to Improve Speed, Power, & Performance With Brian Kula

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Jan 22, 2024

Brian Kula, a world-renowned sports athletic trainer known for his unique training methods, shares insider insights into enhancing speed and power. He emphasizes that fatigue is the enemy, and that sleep is the top supplement for athletes. Kula discusses personalized training approaches, the critical role of the central nervous system, and how tailored warm-ups can maximize performance. He also highlights key exercises for football players and reflects on the differences in training high school versus professional athletes, revealing what makes stars like Christian McCaffrey stand out.

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INSIGHT

Speed-Based Training

Speed development is a critical component of athletic training, regardless of the sport or level.
Prioritizing speed-based training, including proper mechanics and recovery, yields significant improvements.

ANECDOTE

Family Business

Brian Kula's family has a rich history in coaching; his grandfather and father were both state champion coaches.
Growing up in this environment, he was exposed to various training methods from a young age, shaping his approach.

ADVICE

Training for Speed

To improve speed, focus on central nervous system training with fast, explosive movements.
Incorporate exercises that emphasize stretch reflex, ground contact, and efficient recovery mechanics.

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The difference between how he applies or approaches training his athletes vs. how other athletes try to improve speed, power, and performance. (2:39)
It’s a family business! His background in the training space. (4:52)
The components that contribute to speed and how you train for it. (6:47)
Fatigue is the enemy. (8:19)
“If there’s a PR done in practice, you’re done with that session immediately.” (11:08)
Getting the client to adapt to the philosophy. (15:49)
The power of the central nervous system. (18:26)
How a warmup looks for one of his athletes. (21:21)
How the assessment process changes with various levels of athlete. (26:00)
Sleep is the #1 supplement. (28:10)
The fine line between using technology and simply kicking ass. (32:00)
Building upon the foundation built over years of experience and great mentors. (35:03)
The influence of various sports methods on how he programs. (37:18)
The three most important exercises for football players. (39:20)
The concept of ‘slack and contract’. (46:52)
The big rocks to aim for when it comes to diet and nutrition. (50:08)
What makes Christian McCaffrey so special? (52:44)
The level of difference between high school, college, and professional athletes. (55:02)
The mental attributes of top athletes that separate them. (59:25)
Does he get more joy from training younger or pro athletes? (1:01:20)
The work that goes into training a pro athlete. (1:02:57)
“If you choose to do something, there is inherent risk in all of them.” (1:05:54)
Top supplements for his athletes. (1:09:59)
His favorite recovery tools. (1:11:57)
How does he currently train? (1:13:12)
Scaling his business to a mainstream audience. (1:16:15)