Why I Started Training for Power (And Why You Should Too)

For most of my life, I thought “getting in shape” meant two things: lift weights and do some conditioning. Power training wasn’t even on my radar. But a few years ago, something happened that changed the way I train forever.

I was coaching an athlete in his mid-40s. Strong. Fit. Trained for years. But whenever we added anything explosive (jumps, sprints, quick changes of direction) he struggled. Not because he was weak, but because his nervous system wasn’t used to producing force quickly anymore. 

His body had the strength, but not the speed.

That was the moment I realized how fast power declines if we don’t train it. Research backs this up. You can lose measurable power in just 7–10 days of inactivity, and it naturally drops with age starting in your 30s. Watching him work made something click for me: strength keeps you capable; power keeps you athletic.

So I started incorporating more plyometrics, medball throws, and short sprints into my own training. I practiced landing mechanics, quick isometric holds, fast concentric efforts. All the phases that make explosive movement possible. 

Within weeks, I felt sharper. My joints felt more stable. My lifts felt more coordinated. Even my conditioning improved because my nervous system was firing more efficiently.

The deeper I got into the science, the more obvious it became.

Power training improves fast-twitch muscle fibers, cardiovascular efficiency, bone density, metabolic health, and overall athleticism. It’s one of the best tools we have for aging well and staying explosive long after most people slow down.

If you’re new to it, start simple: snap downs, box landings, short accelerations, hill sprints. Focus on clean movement, not max effort. And always put power work early in the session when your nervous system is fresh.

Training for power has become one of the biggest game-changers in my own longevity. It keeps me feeling athletic instead of just “in shape.” And the earlier you start, the longer you keep the benefits.

Power fades fast. But the good news is it comes back quickly too, if you train it with intent.