If you’ve looked online for exercises to increase vertical jump, you’ve probably realized that there is tons of advice.  From my years of experience working with athletes, I have realized there are 3 critical exercises you must do to increase your vertical jump:

1.  Squats – squats are a key exercise to increase vertical jump because they will strengthen your quads, hamstrings and glutes, which are all essential for vertical explosion off of the ground.

2.  Calf raises – calf raises are another one of the critical exercises to increase vertical jump because your calves are a key muscle group that give you both power and explosiveness. 

3. Leg raises – what I mean by leg raises are the kind where you hang from a chin-up bar and lift your knees to your chest.  This is one of the critical exercises to increase vertical jump because it not only strengthens your abs, but it also strengthens your hip flexors, which provide additional explosiveness and power.

This article highlights some of the more important exercises to increase vertical jump.  There are additional exercises to increase vertical jump, but these 3 are the primary ones I like to target.  These should get you on the right path to increasing your vertical jump and be dunking in not time.

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In search of the best vertical program, I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are a ton of them – and they all claim to be the best vertical jumping program on the market.  I’m sure each of these programs is OK in its own right, but if you are going to spend your hard earned money, you have to be aware of some of the more typical scams out there.

First of all, a lot of these programs will offer “one-on-one” coaching.  While this is not a scam in and of itself, the ones that charge you an arm and a leg and “secretly” sign you up for this monthly charge are being deceitful.  Yes, there are some vertical leap programs that will bill you month after month for this coaching, even if you didn’t know you signed up for it.  And some of them cost upwards of $150 per month!  Just be careful and be sure to read the fine print.

Secondly, many of these programs that offer this one on one coaching do so only via e-mail.  One program even says that they will answer the e-mails as quickly as possible “depending on how busy they are.”  So, if you are expecting some personal, one-on-one coaching, don’t count on it.  It is typically done through e-mail and will not be instantaneous.

Finally, in your search for the best vertical program, be a little wary of the one size fits all concept.  Most of the vertical jump programs are designed as a one size fits all solution.  Again, this is not necessarily a scam, but it does make you wonder how in the world the program would work equally as well for a 5′5″ person vs a 6′5″ person?  The best vertical programs will have some customization available for your height, weight, abilities, etc.

All in all, there are some good vertical jumping programs available on the market.  As in anything, you just have to be careful when choosing.

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