Lots of runners skip plyometrics for the same reason they skip strength training and stretching—because it’s not running. But running and jumping go hand in hand.
Being a better jumper certainly makes you a better runner, and we have the 3 best jumping exercises to help you get there.
Here’s how I see the reluctant jumper—the pupils become little pinpricks as you contemplate that box jump. Your breath quickens as you approach, your arms pump back, and you get ready to go, only to think:
“I’m supposed to do THAT? I cannot do that.”
[Insert more pacing and uncomfortable silence]
I’ve seen this game go down a hundred times. By the drama of it, you might think it was related to:
But this fear is something different. It’s box jumping, and that 12-inch box might as well be 12 feet! But, it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t think you can do it…but you can!
You just need to be shown where and how to start. That’s exactly what I do here in this video. I give you the keys to one of your most powerful, hidden talents…YOUR ability to jump.
As runners, we are born jumpers! We have springs on our feet which allow the human being to do some pretty darn amazing stuff.
Yet, most of us NEVER tap into this gear. We don’t dare to try and we justify it to ourselves by saying how “it’s…well…probably not that important anyway.”
But, runners who don’t jump don’t develop their most powerful asset–their ability to spring and explode upwards with their whole body. Hip extension is the one thing that virtually brings all athletes together, and it’s the ONE THING that I see most runners lack.
So, what are the greatest benefits of jumping exercises for runners? Let us count the ways…
Let’s get started and get on our way to the best jumping exercises that will make you a stronger, faster runner.
This is a great place to start if you’re a runner who is new to jumping exercises and learn the mechanics of basic plyometrics. Also, if you’re a bit timid to jump onto things (like boxes), get comfortable here and gain some confidence first.
Instead of just jumping straight up, this time you’ll be shifting your weight forward and explosively move forward. A good analogy is thinking of how a frog jumps ahead with force.
Now we’re ready to cook with gas and jump onto an elevated surface. It can be a park bench, a staircase, tires, or a box in the gym–whatever works where you are! Start with someone small, maybe six inches or so.
Then, work your way towards higher surfaces. Play with different heights and see how high you can comfortably go–have fun with it!
So, go through these 3 different types of jumping exercises and get started right now! Add these exercises one to two times per week and you’ll almost immediately notice:
You might not be Superman, but you’ll certainly feel more like him the next time you tackle your next run. It’s time to get running and jumping!
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