Jumping Higher

Have you ever wondered what makes other people jump so high? Have you ever felt that you are not jumping as high as you should? Are you always looking for ways to make yourself jump higher? You need not worry so much and you do not need to look any farther. There are a lot of online resources that can help you improve your vertical jump. However, if too much information threatens to overwhelm you, here are some exercises that many people believe are the best exercises to jump higher. In choosing sets of exercises to help you jump higher, keep three things in mind. You must remember that you need exercises that develop the amount of force that you can apply (limit strength), the maximum amount of force in the least amount of time (explosive strength), and quick counter-movements before jumps (plyometric strength). A good exercises routine that develops vertical jump must cover these factors. Following are exercises that help improve your limit strength, explosive strength, and plyometric strength. Of course, these exercises will not make you jump higher overnight. Improvements in your vertical jump will come if you will include hard work and consistency into the equation.

Squats and lifts are known to develop your limit strength. To jump higher, you can try making full back squats and split squats. In doing full back squats, see to it that you are able to go down as far as you can while keeping your back straight. Each squat made should be in a parallel direction as with the others. When doing split squats, elevate your non-working leg by resting it on a bench or chair behind you. Do this exercise while holding a barbell on your back or a dumbbell in each of your hands. Go down until your back knee touches floor then instantaneously go back up to the start position.

Lift exercises that help you jump higher are those that focus on improving the strength of your glutes and hamstrings like deadlifts and glute-ham raises. Deadlifts are done through loading up a barbell, grabbing the bar, and pulling it up while keeping your back straight. In doing so, make sure you are using the power of your glutes and hamstrings to set off the movement.

Glute-ham raises can be done through the help of a glute-ham apparatus or you can do it the old-fashioned way. Have someone or something that can keep your feet down while you place your knees on a pad. Then start arching your back from the top and keep your chest out while controlling your downward descent. Then, start pulling yourself up with your hamstrings. Use your hands to assist yourself.

Jump exercises best develop your explosive strength. Jump shrugs are done by jumping from the floor or from a hang position. As you extend your hips and start to leave the floor, do a follow through motion by doing shrugs. Doing hurdle jumps also helps. Jump over a row of hurdles one after another. Pause momentarily in between repetitions.

There are also exercises that develop your plyometric strength. Ankle jumps are done through jumping off the ground while maintaining a certain rhythm. Remember to do this by merely springing your ankles. While in the air, try to pull your toes up. Also, keep your heels from touching the ground.

You can also do shock jumps. Find a sturdy box that has a height that is almost equivalent to that of your best vertical jump. Step off the box and try to absorb the impact of the contact without doing any movement. See to it that your heels do not touch the ground. And remember, do not jump off the box, just simply step off from it.