How Should I Train to Jump Higher?

The question of how can I jump higher is frequently asked, the answer is everyone is different and your mechanical make up will dictate the limits of your jumping abilities. All you can do is follow a good program and give it all you've got.

The process of training to jump higher is relatively straight forward but does require a commitment. To undertake a program it will take months to make real progress and must be kept up so as not to loose what you have earned.

First find a vertical jump program that you feel may work for you and stick with it. Do not jump from one program to another trying to find a quick fix because you will not make as much progress. Be persistent with your program and you will see improvement in your jump height.

You will have to spend time in the beginning working at strengthening the legs. The thigh muscles are the main muscle group to work on because they are more responsible for being able to jump. It is weak thighs that limit many people from being able to jump higher.

The most important exercise to use to strengthen the thighs would be the squat. The next would be dead lifts; both of these exercises will really develop the thigh muscles and also have the side benefit of being a good whole body workout. The bulk of your strengthening phase will be using these two exercises plus a few other leg exercises.

Following the strengthening phase you could start to do plyometric type workouts. These would be for developing explosive strength in your legs. Be careful with plyometrics and do not over do them. Plyometrics are stressful to the body and if not done correctly could be counter productive. Only do them two or three times a week.

These two components are the more important parts of the vertical jump training. You will find there are other things that to do that are part of your training. Do them all correctly without cheating and you will see progress.



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