How Many Days Per Week Should an Athlete Train?
A Clear, Age-Specific Guide for Strength & Speed Training One of the biggest mistakes in youth and high-school training is guessing how often an athlete should train. Some athletes train too little and never improve. Others train too much and stall, get hurt, or burn out. The right answer isn’t vague, it’s age-specific, load-specific, and realistic when you factor in school and after-school sports. Below is a clear, precise breakdown of exactly how many days per week athletes should train for strength and speed , based on age and sport participation. Ages 10–13: Build the Foundation (Not the Schedule) Exact Weekly Training Recommendation: 2–3 performance training days per week (4 days only in very specific cases, explained below) At this age, athletes are still developing: Coordination Motor control Basic strength Sprint mechanics More days do not equal faster results here. Quality, consistency, and recovery mat...