Jumping is a staple in metabolic workouts around here.
Come to think of it, jumping is a staple in weight-intensive workouts around here too. But WHY? Here are three great reasons to get your feet (or hands!) off the floor in your next workout:
1. Jumping improves strength and efficiency of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Simply put, plyometrics make you stronger and faster. So if you to want to max your squat or add weight to your bench press, add some squat jumps or plyo pushups to your routine. And if you’re looking to PR that spring 5K, building power in your legs with exercises like plyo lunges will help get you there!
2. Explosive movements increase your heart rate and burn more fat and calories in a shorter period of time than their static counterparts. We don’t have all day – so we want to maximize the time that you are in the gym and get it done!
3. Jumping can increase bone health! Bone mass decreases with age, but high-impact jumping exercises can actually BUILD bone density! You don’t even have to get out the tall box for this one – jumping jacks and jumping rope will do the trick!
Now… with that all said, what about modifications? We know that jumping is not always for everyone and for that reason we are always prepared for modifications. I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I could get down on the floor and bust out more than 1 plyo pushup right now. But with band assistance? That’s more my speed. If jumping is not your thing, you can still get many of the benefits of explosive movements by coming up on your tiptoes.
So the next time you see frog jumps in a workout, embrace that burn and do your body good!
Coach Christy
