While there are numerous exercises to increase vertical jump, athletes have found a few more engaging and successful exercises to adding a few inches to victorious leaps into the air.

For starters, building leg strength is one of the best approaches towards enhancing vertical leap. While some individuals prefer to enhance leg strength through squats at a gym (using a squat rack), this simple exercise is performable anywhere (with or without weights).

First, squats begin in an athletic position with one starting to bend at the knees, as if they are about to sit down. Keeping the back straight, the exerciser should maintain their knees above their feet. Next, they should squat until their knees are at a 90-degree angle. The last step is to then raise the back into an upward position.

Lunges are another popular exercise for increasing vertical leap, as it assists in building the muscle about the quad region. Some people enjoy the use of dumbbells, while others prefer to start out without any weights. First, you should start in a standing position and then lunge forward until one knee is at a 90-degree angle. Next, you will push yourself back into a standing position. These steps should be repeated using the other leg. During this exercise, it is suggested to keep the torso upright.

Explosive Power and Jumping Ability for All Sports

Strengthened calf muscles are known to help increase vertical leap and that is just what toe raises aim to accomplish. Local gyms offer the use of toe raise machines, but some people are able to use a thick piece of wood or small step at home. To begin, you should start with your heels hanging off of a ledge, which you then raise up to your "tippy" toes. Next, you are to lower as far as you are able and then rise back up. This exercise works with dumbbells or no weights at all.

Step-ups may use a bench or chair to help build the quads needed to increase vertical leap. One should start by standing in front of the bench (or chair), putting one foot flat on the bench and then proceeding to step up. Next, one should step back down onto the floor and then repeat the process with the other leg.

Plyometric drills and exercises are also known to help an athlete increase their vertical leap. This may include side box jumps (sideway jumping over a box or bench), stair jumps (a series of squats and jumps - up and down 1 or 2 stairs), box jumps (using a box or stairs to jump up and down), and jumping rope (the longer, the better).

And remember, before starting any exercise program, it is extremely important that you warm up and stretch your muscles before and after your exercise routine.

Having a good vertical jump is an important athletic skill for basketball players. Improving your vertical jump not only increases your ability to dunk but it can also help you become a better rebounder, better shot blocker, better shooter and a better athlete in general.

Having a good vertical jump allows the volleyball player to leap above his opponents and spike the ball.
A good vertical jump program put together by a knowledgeable trainer can help an athlete improve his speed, quickness and jumping ability.

Is there a single best way to increase your vertical jump?

Actually, after much experimentation, it has been shown that combining two training techniques into a single program gives the best results in increasing one's ability to jump higher. Each technique has been shown to increase your vertical jump ability and each has it's own advantages and disadvantages.

The first technique to increase your vertical jump is the traditional training method. The traditional training method uses exercises such as squats, lunges and leg presses to increase your strength.

Why is this method an effective way to increase
vertical jump ability?

Jumping Into Plyometrics Video

The principal fitness component of vertical jumping is power. Power is a combination of strength and speed.A weight training program that improves your maximum strength can improve you power and increase vertical jump ability, but...

As an athlete improves his ability to lift more weight, the speed of movement decreases and so does power output. Hence, this is where the second technique plays an important function.

Plyometric training is the other training method used to increase vertical jump power. It "bridges the gap between speed and strength". It is a type of training that uses explosive movements to develop muscular power,

Plyometric training incorporates exercises like depth jumps and box jumps.

Studies show that a plyometric program that runs alongside a weight training program produces optimum results. Each offers the ability to prevent injuries by preparing the body for the forces of competition. Working together, this makes the ideal vertical jump program.

A REVIEW

A popular vertical jump program

Let's review the vertical jump workout program from Athletes Vertical Resource. This is a fine vertical jump workout program.

Founder Andre Davis has been selling vertical jump programs for a few years now, and in my opinion, has the whole process down pat. He offers you an easy-to-follow program that can be adjusted to meet your individual needs and specifications, and, in what makes this vertical training program unique, he makes the program fit in specifically with training for a particular sport.

For example if you are a baseball player you would develop your vertical jump training along with swing power and arm strength, or if you are a basket ball player you would work more on lateral quickness along with your vertical leap training.

In all, there are six individual exercise programs available. They are for basketball, baseball,football, volleyball, soccer and track. Other vertical jump workout programs lack sport specific training. I believe that focusing on your specific sport will make you a much better performer.

The vertical jump training itself consists of 3 six week programs designed for every level of athlete, from beginner to expert.

There are 5 levels of training that are used to make up each program. There are also 4 types of weight training programs that are used along with the vertical leap programs. Each is designed for users that either need to add bulk, or speed, or both.

The routines focus both on plyometric and isometric exercises, performed twice a week . However, as mentioned earlier, what makes this program score high in my estimation is the fact that each program is designed specifically to not only help you gain vertical leap but also develop strength and agility that is best for your particular sport discipline.

As in most things in life, one size does not fit all. Athletes Vertical Resource overcomes this hurdle by offering individual vertical workouts for the popular sports.

To find out more, visit Athletes Vertical Resource