fartlek
C1Technical/Formal (within sports/athletics), Informal (outside specific technical use)
Definition
Meaning
A training method in running and other endurance sports alternating periods of fast and slow running over varied terrain, typically unstructured.
Any interval training involving varying pace or intensity, often used in a figurative sense for other activities that alternate between bursts of high and low effort.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a mass noun ('do some fartlek'). Coined from Swedish, it literally means 'speed play'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally known in athletic communities in both regions.
Connotations
The word's phonetic similarity to an informal vulgar term for flatulence can lead to unintended humour or juvenile reactions, especially among non-athletes or beginners.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in formal athletic contexts, but overall a low-frequency, specialised term in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[athlete] + do/perform/incorporate + fartlek[coach] + prescribe + fartlek[training plan] + include + fartlekVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Play with speed (a direct translation/cognitive metaphor)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in sports science, exercise physiology, and coaching literature.
Everyday
Rarely used except by runners, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in athletics coaching, training manuals, and sports periodisation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're going to fartlek around the common this afternoon.
- The coach advised us to fartlek twice a week.
American English
- Let's fartlek on the trail today.
- The plan has us fartlekking every Thursday.
adverb
British English
- He ran fartlek-style through the woods.
American English
- She trained fartlek-fashion along the river path.
adjective
British English
- It was a tough fartlek session in the park.
- Her training included a fartlek element.
American English
- He prefers fartlek workouts to track repeats.
- The fartlek portion of the run was the most challenging.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Running fast and slow is good training. (Concept only, word not introduced)
- The runner changed her speed many times during training.
- To improve her stamina, she added interval training to her routine.
- The coach incorporated fartlek into the weekly schedule to build race-specific endurance and mental toughness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FAR (you go far) + TLEK (sounds like 'track') = 'speed play' on the track or trail.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRAINING IS PLAY; INTENSITY VARIATION IS A GAME.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation or association with Russian vulgarisms. The term is a direct borrowing with a specific, technical meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun ('a fartlek' is uncommon). Confusing it with high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which is more structured.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of fartlek training?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Fartlek is a type of interval training, but it is typically less structured, often based on feel and terrain, rather than precisely timed intervals on a track.
It is a Swedish loanword, a compound of 'fart' (speed) and 'lek' (play), coined in the 1930s by Swedish coach Gösta Holmér.
Yes, but it should be introduced gently. Beginners can use landmarks (run fast to the next tree, jog to the corner) to keep it simple and unstructured.
Due to its phonetic similarity to a vulgar term, it can cause amusement, especially among children or those unfamiliar with sports terminology. In athletic contexts, it is a standard, non-humorous term.