A flicker of an eye might be enough for you to miss Noah Lyles’s dash past on the track. Yes, that’s how exceptionally fast the man is! However, with a 9.83 100m personal best and a 19.31 seconds 200m American record, the sprinter’s ambition still seems unsatiated. He’s now eyeing the Olympic quadruple at Paris and Usain Bolt’s world records, his confidence regarding the latter being unparalleled: “I know that I’m going to break it.” 

But what is the secret behind Lyles’ commendable success? Well, beyond his grit and athletic talent, his veteran coach and rigorous training surely play a vital part. Let’s have a detailed look at both these contributing factors.

Who is Noah Lyles’ coach?

Coaches indisputably play a pivotal in an athlete’s journey, guiding them at every step- quite literally! And as per NBC Olympics, for track sensation Noah Lyles, that all-important mentor on the field is Coach Lance Brauman. Besides being a professional track and field coach, Brauman is the Founder of PURE Athletics, an international sprint group. He is also an Adidas consultant and has been an instructional figure for Lyles since 2017.

Digging deep into Brauman’s background, one can comprehend the immensity of his experience in the sphere. Brauman commenced his coaching career in 1994 as a Graduate Assistant at Auburn University. Within a year, he advanced to join Barton County Community College and led their team for the next seven years before switching to the University of Arkansas. After a 13-year career in collegiate coaching, he transitioned to the role of CEO and launched Pure Athletics, a club that now harbors elite names like Junelle Bromfield, Alonso Edward, Elijah Godwin, and Jereem Richards, among others.

As it appears, for Lyles’ flawless form, Coach Brauman seems to be getting down to the nitty-gritty of things. Pointing out a crucial area of improvement, Brauman recently expressed, “For him [Noah Lyles], to be the athlete he’s capable of being, he has to get better in the first 40m of the race.” Evidently, Brauman has gauged Lyles’ caliber and his shortcomings to a tee. Moreover, spilling the beans on his carefully carved strategy for Lyles ahead of a vital year, Brauman had even stated, “…We’re lifting a little bit more aggressively than we have in the past. I mean, if it starts going to get better, he has to be stronger”.

However, in a profession where a fraction of a second can change everything, it takes more than just prudent coaching. This is where physical preparation comes into play. For Noah Lyles, it seems he has mastered this aspect as well. Here’s what goes into the on-field fitness regimen of the six-time World Champion.

Unveiling the track and field star’s workout routine

To be fleet-footed on track, Noah Lyles seems committed to a diverse training regime. Sharing a sneak peek into his pre-season groundwork in January 2024, Lyles posted on X, revealing how tirelessly he prepares. He first set the tone by posting, “We are about to get active today.”  And later justified it with impressive numbers, “250m- 27.3, 100m- 10.9, 10 min rest; 250m- 26.5, 100m-11.5, 10min rest; 150m- 15.5, 100m- 11.0, 10 min rest; 4x60m – not timed.” 

While Lyles’ in-season focus remains on quicker starts and increasing speed mid-run, his off-season drills include fundamental leg work. These exercises cover a variety of movements, such as back and front squats, leg presses, single-leg Romanian deadlifts, and using the glute/ham machine, according to the Men’s Health Body Bible.

This is not all. To condition Lyles for the ultimate level of field fitness, weekly massages and chiropractor sessions are other essentials. Additionally, under the supervision of an expert physiotherapist who routinely flies in from Australia, Lyles completes his pre-run glutes and calf activation movements. What’s more, the 26-year-old turns to the hot tub and the Normatec leg-compression sleeves for a rejuvenating self-care session.

Therefore, Lyles’ backend training is a mixed bag of sorts. But it sure exhibits a clear intent- Lyles gives it his all to be the ‘fastest man in the world’ today.