Exercise to Jump Higher - Improving Your Vertical Leap Through Exercise

[Kristy Ross]

If your current vertical leap disappoints you, you can exercise to
jump higher. Vertical leap can be increased through training just like
any other aspect of sports or fitness. Here are some simple, effective
tips on increasing your vertical leap.
First of all, the key to strong vertical leap is transferring energy
explosively though your body to the ground. It might seem like your
legs are the only area you'd need to focus on to improve your jumping,
but you need to be fit throughout your entire body, including, and
especially, your core. So if you want to jump higher, it is very
important to focus on your legs, but under no circumstances should you
ignore the rest of your body.
When you do work your legs, doing squats with a focus on explosive
positives is an exceptional way to build strength in the large muscle
groups you'll use in your leap. Always ensure that you're keeping
proper form, and when you get to the bottom of your squat, push up
through the rest of the move explosively.
When you jump, the final point of the energy transfer is your toes,
and because of that, doing toe-raises is another necessity for
improving vertical leap. Think of jumping as a combination of a squat
and a calf raise. Focusing on gains in these two exercises will have a
great impact on your jumping.
While squats and calf raises will definitely help you improve, they
aren't everything, and there are many other exercises, as well as
adjustments to your jumping form, that will help you reach your
absolute potential. If you want to maximize your vertical leap, get a
good vertical leap training guide, or consult a sport-specific trainer
about your goals. Whatever you do though, remember, you can improve
your jump height through exercise, so don't limit yourself to your
current vertical leap.