Tips For How To Jump Higher

When seeking a way to improve your vertical jump, there are some simple tips you should follow when you want to learn how to do jump higher exercises.  So how do you improve the height of your leap?  The simple answer lies in weight training. 

The two most important muscles for vertical leaping are the calf and quadriceps muscles.  The power and strength in your jump comes from the quad muscle in your thigh, and the explosion that propels you off the ground is strong calf muscles.  There are a few different ways to strengthen the quads, and perhaps you can try them all until you find the ones that work for you.

• Do leg press workouts on the leg press machine by pushing weight out or upwards while maintaining control over your body
• Leg Extensions – Consists of sitting flat and lifting weight upward with both legs
• Performing wall sits -  This requires no equipment and uses the weight of your body to build strength and condition.  Sit on a wall; drop your rear end until your quads are at a 90 degree angle.  Stay in the position for a while until you feel the muscles really start to burn.  You can even add weight to your lap if you’d like. 

As for calf strengthening, there are a few different things you can do to build up strength.

• Running sprints will develop the calf muscle
• Toe raises are effective in building muscle.  Stand against a wall, then on one foot push your body up and down keeping the weight on the balls of your feet.  Repeat this exercise a number of times until there is a burn in the muscle

If you implement weight training into your workout routine, you will be on your way to jumping higher.  The best athletes can be found in the weight room, so mix up your routines to keep them interesting and effective and you will see the gains you want.