HOW TO JUMP HIGHER

Today we’re taking a look at the most popular piece of vertical leap equipment ever released, Jumpsoles. Why are people still rushing out and buying strengthshoes and jumpsoles in an attempt to jump higher, do they really work?

To determine this we take a look at what goes into developing an outstanding vertical leap. Firstly, jumpsoles are aimed at targeting the calves. So do the calves play a big role in vertical leap? Absolutely not! Your calf muscles play such a small aspect in your overall vertical leap, that you shouldn’t be isolating them. They get more than enough workout from your compound exercises in all sound vertical leap programs.

Yes you can throw calf raises out the window too! Here’s a quick test you can do right now, to get an idea of how important your calves are.

1. Stand flat footed on the floor, and jump up as high as you can by just flicking your feet, and not bending your legs at all. Didn’t get high at all hey?

Now by following big companies who are behind on the times, not only can your gains be hindered, injury can onset pretty quickly. I’m not so much talking about joint injury here, I’ll keep that for another post, but muscle imbalances. By isolating and focusing your efforts on ONE muscle, your setting yourself up for major muscle imbalances. Which of course lead to injury…

“Hangon then, well why are people gaining with Jumpsoles? I’m sure people are…i’ve read their testimonials!”

When people buy Jumpsoles, they are given a program called ‘phi slamma jamma’ to do. This Jumpsole workout is a one sheet program which incorporates such things as lunges, squats etc. Thus gains are obviously going to come from doing the strength and plyometric exercises, especially for noobs who have never gotten off the couch before. Are those gains a direct result of wearing Jumpsoles? Of course not! For a few exercises I’d actually go far enough to say, gains could have been increased if the jumpsoles weren’t worn. For example:

1. How are you supposed to perform proper squats, driving through your heels, if you can’t lean back onto your heels without falling over?
2. You could do the squats with alot more weight without them on…

Nevertheless, the testimonials pile in. “Hey I gained 4 inches” “Hey I can touch the ring now” etc. Now when I did vertical project throughout last summer I also ate chocolate occasionally. So when I gained 8 inches (considering I’m not new to training it was pretty damn good) did I send testimonials into the chocolate company saying “thanks your chocolate gained me 8 inches” of course not. People have to start smartening up! Have a think about why people may be gaining, and don’t be consumed by testimonials, especially ones on their own site!

If you’re about to get up & head over to the trash can, hold on! There are some very good uses for Jumpsoles. The proceiptor balance work is excellent, and if you own vertical project, you’ll know exactly what to do with them. I think Luke refers to is as “the Super Secret Instant Vertical Exercise” and it truely makes them worth every penny.

So summing up, using jumpsoles as originally intended may not be the best idea. However using them for the newer alternative training concepts is great!

There have been few sports trainers along the years that have decided to fully dedicate themselves to training for vertical leap. Paving the way for vertical leap trainers was Gil ‘Rise’ Thomas which through much hard work ended up with a recorded 44″ standing vertical leap! He went on to help successfully trained Reggie Thompson, which is now claimed to have a 56″ vert!

You used to be able to sign up and have Gil come visit for the day. He’d set you on the right path, help you with some exercise routines, nutrition and get yourself on a customized training program. At $400, this was the ultimate when it came to vert training.

Since Air Alerts release over 10 years ago, a number of vertical leap programs have popped up. An incredible amount actually. The advantage of these being normally the cost is reduced and you can begin training with them straight away.

Current big names in vertical leap training:

Luke Lowrey

Creator of Vertical Project
Vert 41″, played in Australia’s top basketball league

While playing for professional basketball for the Titans, Luke Lowrey developed his vertical leap to an outstanding 41 inches. Unfortunetly injury shot him down and has prevented him reaching his goal of 50 inches. He has since gone on to personally help top professionals jump higher through his advanced vertical leap training. On top of this he bought out his own program, The Vertical Project and recently ran a training session for athletes over the telephone. If anyone here took part in this, we’d love to hear about it!

Kelly Bagget

Creator of Vertical Bible
Vert 42″, certified trainer specializing in athletic performance

Mark Sias

Creator of Bionic Plyometrics
Vert 37″, professional trainer, specializes martial arts and plyometrics