diff --git a/src/art/tinker_native/backend.py b/src/art/tinker_native/backend.py
index 2aba95947..8641c3318 100644
--- a/src/art/tinker_native/backend.py
+++ b/src/art/tinker_native/backend.py
@@ -424,16 +424,15 @@ def remove_mask(datum: tinker.Datum) -> tinker.Datum:
                 model_input=datum.model_input, loss_fn_inputs=loss_fn_inputs
             )
 
-        forward_output = await self._tinker_train_call(
-            "forward_backward",
-            state.training_client.forward_backward(
-                [remove_mask(datum) for datum in datums],
-                loss_fn=loss_fn,
-                loss_fn_config=loss_fn_config,
-            ),
+        forward_future = state.training_client.forward_backward(
+            [remove_mask(datum) for datum in datums],
+            loss_fn=loss_fn,
+            loss_fn_config=loss_fn_config,
         )
-        optim_output = await self._tinker_train_call(
-            "optim_step", state.training_client.optim_step(adam_params)
+        optim_future = state.training_client.optim_step(adam_params)
+        forward_output, optim_output = await asyncio.gather(
+            self._tinker_train_call("forward_backward", forward_future),
+            self._tinker_train_call("optim_step", optim_future),
         )
 
         if forward_output.metrics: