Train to jump higher

If you’re looking to jump higher, then you’ll need an improvement in your vertical leap, and focus on leg strengthening exercises with plyometrics.

Vertical Jump is the ability to raise one’s center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one’s own muscles.

It is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.

Jump training can combine leg strengthening exercises with plyometrics.

Plyometrics should not be done after doing leg exercises with weights.

Vertical jump training should not be done year round because serious injury can occur from over training.

Another way to increase vertical leap is through repetition.

Repetition builds muscle memory so that jumping becomes more natural to the athlete.

Repeated jumping builds up the quadraceps which are the base muscles in the legs needed to jump.

Another misconception is that increasing your vertical jump requires several hours of training, almost everyday of the week. This is actually quite the opposite of the truth.

Jennifer DiDonato training tips to jump higher

This week’s Made Fit TV episode shows you how to get started properly on improving your vertical jumps and leaps. Keep in mind that you want to be fairly conditioned before implementing body weight jumps and weighted jumps into your program.

According to the Vertical Jump Resource, training for more than one hour and more than 5 days per week can actually be detrimental to your jumping ability.

The recommended exercise time is set at a maximum of 1 hour due to the fact that your body has used most of its glucose energy stores by that point.

After this time, your body will begin to use other sources like fat, and probably even muscle. If you can, try to spread your workouts out during the week.

Take one day off between workouts to allow for maximum recovery. Also, your training cycles should last a maximum of 16 weeks with a 1 week break before the next one begins.

Most athletes find that their vertical jumps actually improve the most during that one week rest period. In conclusion, make sure you get enough rest after each workout and between each training cycle.