The Best Exercises for Increasing Your Vertical Jump

For basketball player and volleyball players, having a strong vertical leap is essential for increasing your level of play. Whether you are going up for a rebound in basketball or hitting a spike in volleyball, a high vertical leap makes it much easier.

The following list details the best exercises for helping an athlete increase their vertical jump.

1. Toe Raises – This exercise helps build the strength in the calf muscles. Toe raises can be performed with or without weight. A toe raise machine can be used if you are doing this exercise in a gym and if you are doing them at home you can use a thick piece of wood or a stair. Start with your heels hanging over the edge and then rise up onto your tip toes. Then lower back down and repeat.

2. Step Ups – This vertical jump exercise helps to build up the quad muscles which are essential in jumping. For this exercise a chair or a bench can be used. Start with one foot on the bench and simply step up onto the bench. Then step back down and repeat with the opposite leg. The exercise can be done with or without weight.

3. Squats – Squats are one of the best exercises for increasing overall leg strength. A squat rack can be used at the gym or you can perform your squats without weight. Start in an athletic stance and start to bend at the knees like you were going to sit down onto a chair. Continue to lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Then rise back to a standing position. Make sure to keep your back straight and look forward while performing the squat. Squats are often performed with improper form and you should make sure to work with a trainer when doing them for the first time. This will ensure that you learn proper form and do not injury yourself.

If you are looking to increase your vertical jump, performing these three exercises is essential. Make sure to measure your vertical jump height before starting any program so you have a base measure to gage your results from. This will allow you to see what is working to help increase your vertical jump and what is not.

For more information on increasing your vertical jump and a full listing of the best vertical jump exercises browse over to our listing of the best vertical jump programs and start on your own vertical leap training today.