I get asked a lot similar questions, so over the next month both on my Instagram (@fitchicnic) and on here, I’ll be going through the alphabet talking about some of the most common health and fitness related questions and topics.
J is for Jumping
In my humble opinion, adults don’t jump enough! Although I never seriously focus on plyometric training with any of my clients (I don’t coach any professional basketballers who specifically HAVE to learn to jump higher), I do feel that overcoming a fear of jumping or learning how to actually jump and land safely, can give a massive confidence boost and can benefit overall fitness levels when put into practice.
- Start by practising straight jumps into the air – bend the knees, use the arms to help with flight, and land with bent knees, absorbing the impact into the floor.
- Progress onto a small step, and start learning how to rebound into a second jump with no pause inbetween. Keep the core tight so you don’t lose control.
- If you like doing box jumps then step back down onto the ground, rather than jumping, to avoid injury.
Benefits of jump training includes muscular elastic capacity, hip explosiveness, leg drive, and flexibility of the hamstrings and lower back (and some cool holiday photos jumping in front of landmarks with your friends.)
In terms of strength, you’ll be practicing your Starting strength (force of movement, like a sprint start), Stopping strength (absorbing the force via the muscle-tendon system) and Elastic Strength (absorbing force via the stretch-shortening system.)
Just a small word of warning about Trampolining. UK trampoline parks have increased from just 4 to over 100 in the last 3yrs – they’re massively fun and I’m happy that people can experience them (and foam pits) without attending adult gymnastics classes. However many backs, necks, ankles and elbows have been broken during visits to them, so don’t “flip out” beyond your own capabilities!
Photography by www.derekbremner.com
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