We are often asked what the best jumping exercises are. What are the routines that are known to drive up physical fitness and increase the heights to which athletes aspire? Before we answer these questions though, a word of caution, if you have any kind of injury, or any chronic health problems at all do not commit to an exercise program without consulting your doctor. In fact if you have any questions at all, or you if feel pain during or after these jump higher exercises, then stop immediately and again consult with a doctor.

The importance of WARMING UP!

Before beginning any exercise regime or even your normal day you must loosen and warm up all of your muscles. Stretch them systematically to be sure you don’t miss any out then jog on the spot for several minutes.

Be sure to get a good jump rope and use it

This combined running/skipping/jumping movement definitely does wonders for your conditioning. Use the equipment that you have to hand if you aren’t in a gym. Jogging up and down stairs for a comfortable number of repetitions is a very good warm up, or even as a full exercise. It is important not to burn out your legs if it is part of warm up.

Now the actual JUMPING EXERCISES!

• Begin with ‘deep knee bends’ while in the standing position. Steadily without jerking bend at your knees while ensuring your back is straight. Smoothly lower your body into a crouch and go as low as you can. If it hurts, stop, and then slowly come back up. Repeat this movement fifteen times to begin with. Don’t overdo it but rather listen to your body. Increase the number of repetitions by five with each exercise session.
• Add a jump to the deep knee bends again from a standing start position. Crouch down quickly taking your rear as close to the ground as you can, then leap upwards with all of your force. On landing go immediately into the crouch again and then jump back up again. Repeat this movement fifteen times to begin with increase to 20, 30, at each successive session.
• Toe lifts. Stand at ease and rise up onto the tips of your toes. We’re not talking ballet dancer here but as high as is comfortable for you. Come back down. Slow and steady stretching is the key to this movement with between 30 and 50 repetitions.
• Toe lifts with weights. Holding weights while doing your toe lifts will build strength. The weights only need to be little, say 5 or 10 pounds and then work your way up along with your strength.
• Stomach crunches. We recommend these more than sit-ups because they are kinder to your back. Stomach crunches mean lie on your back and tense your abdominal muscles to lift your shoulders just off the ground. This is great first thing exercise say for 10 minutes each morning and another 10 minutes at night.
• Jumping rope. Jumping rope is proven as one of the best exercises to jump higher. You can even multi-task with TV or radio.

Do not overdo exercises to jump higher

You really don’t have to do jumping exercises every day of the week. Four or five times is plenty. Many people start in a rush with exercise every day but then suffer burnout in the first month or two. The idea is to keep exercising for months, or years, consistently. This is not an actual jumping program. However these exercises will help with your fitness and leaping ability.

If you want to jump higher within two weeks, click on the link below and find out what some basketball players do to improve their jumping technique.