j0442234There are sports where your vertical jump is a huge asset. Basketball is the primary example, obviously, when how high you jump often translates into rebounds and points. NBA phenom LeBron James, for example, has a vertical leap of 44 inches! While you may be well below that or even within reach, working on your vertical leap can be quite easy when you know the best exercises to jump higher.

 

Vertical jumps mostly utilize the leg muscles. As you slightly squat and then spring up, you are engaging everything below your hips. It would make sense, then, that the best exercises to jump higher are those that build up the muscles in your lower body and also increase that springing action. Finding a workout program with a high quality lower body routine is a great place to start.

 

One of the best exercises to jump higher is the squat. Squats primarily work the thighs and the gluteus muscles, crucial groups when jumping. Proper form is important to ensure you are using the right muscle and preventing injury with squats. Consider using a workout ball and doing your squats against the wall. You want to sit back into the squat and slowly lower until your hips are in line with your knees. If these are easy, add some weights. Do 3 sets of 15 to start.

 

Lunges are another great group of exercises to jump higher. There are numerous ways to do lunges. You can step back into the lunge or lunge forward. As they are all pretty effective, the method you use is largely personal preference. Maintain good form and don’t extend your front knee over your ankle when lunging.

 

Another powerhouse when examining the best exercises to jump higher is the step-up. Using a chair and being cautious to maintain your balance, step up on to the chair using one leg; raise the other leg and then slowly step back down. You will definitely feel these in the morning.

 

Lastly, when working on your vertical, remember your reaction time and that initial spring can be improved with some drills. Plyometric workouts are the way to improve your jump height. Check out the Plyo DVD in the P90X series for some serious work and a great way to get your leaping higher.

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