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Plyometrics! 12 Jumping Exercises For Great-Looking Legs

Plyometrics is a type of physical training that produces fast, powerful movements.

These 12 jumping exercises – when done correctly – give you stronger thigh muscles and firmer glutes while burning calories and improving the condition of your lungs and heart.

The printable list of exercises – and motivational video – lower within this article help you get started.

Jump Your Way to a Trim Physique

The word plyometrics is a fancy way of saying, “jump!”

Plyometrics condition your entire musculature – including your cardiopulmonary system – and can change the shape of the body positively.

A benefit of plyometrics is – in addition to helping you feel fit and look strong – the movements can dramatically help sports performance.

Jumping is among the most intense exercises there are.

Any safe and regular workout regimen that includes plyometrics will make you jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder.

plyometrics fitness workouts

In the accompanying video (lower within this article), I’ve provided an example of a complete plyometric workout with 12 higher-intensity intervals.

Easy Stretches to Help Prepare Your Lower Back for Plyometrics

It’s crucial to be injury-free in the limbs to be exercised before you start seriously jumping around.

During Leg Day at the gym, you can see plyometric exercises as the most critical, eventful part of the workout – and everything you do before that is in preparation.

Because plyometrics involve impact, that means compression of the lower vertebrae of your spine. Therefore, it’s wise to do some back-limbering beforehand.

The Warm-Up

Here are some foundational components for prehabilitation of the lower back:

  • start with a simple self-assessment of your posture;
  • stand facing sideways to a mirror and look for a straight line from your ear down to your hips;
  • stand up as tall as you can, relax your neck – allowing your pectorals to float forward and up, yet keeping your pelvis centered;
  • and your deltoids should glide back.

This will most likely feel awkward but is the correct spinal alignment to benefit your lower back.

Once you see how you’re supposed to look you can mentally take a snapshot of how it feels to stand tall and remind yourself to return to that position anytime.

It’s a good idea to regularly practice mobility techniques. Here are four gentle stretches that you can do before you begin your jumping workout.

Hamstring with a Strap

Sitting and driving, working at the computer, sleeping on your side, watching television – all of these sedentary moments are done habitually until they shorten the muscles in the back of the upper leg, which will – in turn – impact your lower back.

band hamstring stretch

To stretch your hamstrings, rest on the floor and wrap a towel or band around the bottom of your foot as you straighten your leg toward the ceiling. Breathe deeply and slowly, and never force the stretch. (In the photo above, I’m using a pilates barrel to give my stretch some extra depth, but you can simply rest on your mat).

Relaxed Twist to Loosen Tight Lower Back Muscles

The sides of your waist, outer thigh area, and the lowest part of your back – all of the muscles in these areas impact the proper alignment of your spine. They must maintain a certain level of flexibility!

Relax on the floor, and slowly let your bent knees lower to rest on one side while your neck rotates to gaze gently at your opposite, outstretched arm. After 60 seconds, repeat on the other side.

Hip Flexor Stretch Variations

When the hip flexors and psoas lack flexibility, this can then impact the proper positioning of the pelvis.

If the pelvis isn’t centered, then the vertebrae of the spine have no foundation upon which to stack.

Often called the “Runner’s Stretch” or “The Sampson,” this position helps open up the front of your hips:

  • If your hip flexors are really tight, just stretch one leg out along a bed or table while the other foot presses into the floor (see photo below).
  • If you’re more flexible, you can skip the bed and move into a lunge position with both hands on the floor.
  • Advanced-level stretchers can do the “Couch Stretch” variation (see photo).
hip flexor stretch variations

Rolling Out the Glutes

The muscles in the buttocks get tight. Sitting on a foam roller (with one leg crossed over the other) while rolling on a foam roller is a great way to work deeper into the tissues of the gluteals.

During Leg Workouts, Safety First

The highly focused, intense movements used in jumping do help the joints and tendons – but also can compromise them if you overdo it. So remember, though plyometrics are not inherently dangerous, you must proceed carefully.

I start with 6 minutes on the elliptical machine – or, if I’m outside, a light jog – to slowly raise my body temperature and get the oxygen and blood flowing.

Next, I proceed with the lower back stretches outlined above – then, a few of the easier leg exercises first to gently lubricate the joints.

Make Improving Your Posture a Priority

To further protect your lumbar spine, ensure you are not doing any exercises with poor posture.

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Any bending and lifting from the ground require technique, especially if you’re lifting an oddly shaped object.

Strengthening your lower back to prevent sudden injury is another effective line of defense, which is accomplished by practicing core strengthening exercises that stabilize your hips and lower back (please be aware that if you have a specific injury, the best thing to do is contact your doctor before trying any new stretches or exercises).

A safe, smart regimen of stretches and strength exercises can help heal your lower back and keep it healthy, pain-free – and primed for your plyometrics workout.

Plyometrics: Highly Effective Jumping Exercises

In the video above, I’m working outdoors at my local neighborhood park. However, you can also do these exercises at the gym.

What you will achieve:

  • For Men: stronger legs, packed with power.
  • For Women: firmer, shapelier thighs with definition.

Below, I explain the exercises a bit further.

Single-Leg Side Jumps (“Speed Skaters”)

If you’ve seen ice-skating races on television during the Olympics, then you already know what this exercise should look like. Do this exercise mindfully, especially if you have weak ankles.

Jump Foward, Squat-and-Hold (hop back)

In the video, you’ll notice I jump over small hurdles to make it more interesting – and challenging. I also pause at the bottom of the squat for a little extra burn.

Plyometrics Lunge Jumps (2 Variations)

Pay attention to your breathing (it’s tempting to hold your breath on this exercise, so try to keep your exhalations consistent).

In the first variation, you can hold a kettlebell.

In the second variation, use suspension straps and lean back a bit.

Plyometrics Jumping Exercises for Great-Looking Legs

Jump Forward, Apart-and-Together

Beginners can do this exercise in place. Intermediate or advanced athletes can do this with a forward movement.

Simply jump your feet apart and bend your legs, then jump your feet back together.

Be mindful of your knees. If it feels better for you to rotate your feel out a bit while you jump, that’s fine – as long as you turn your leg out from the hip and not just from the ankle.

Remember, if any exercise causes you knee pain – make adjustments in your form, or skip the exercise altogether.

Plyometrics Box Jumps (2 Variations)

This time, you can jump onto something slightly higher.

Beginner athletes, jump up onto a stable box but step back down (instead of jumping).

Experienced athletes, jump up and jump down – but maintain your awareness. If your feet get tired, step down instead.

Mature, fit athlete doing plyometrics at the park.

First variation is to touch the box after jumping down.

Second variation is to add a burpee at the bottom. Please be certain your box is secured and won’t slide around.

Side Jumping Box Lunges

Keep your abdominal muscles engaged on this one. Beginners can do this exercise without the box.

The Classic Plyometrics Exercise: Jumping Rope

Keep your knees slightly soft – no locked joints!

Ladies especially, please keep your pelvis centered while jumping rope. If you arch your back too much, you might pee a little while jumping. No joke.

Mature, fit athlete jumping rope outdoors for plyometrics.

Knees Up-and-In

Use a hurdle to help challenge yourself to lift your knees higher than you would otherwise.

The Plyometrics Jump Air Squat (2 Variations)

Having solid legs should be a part of your longevity strategy, and the thing about plyometrics is: that they produce actual results.

Among my favorite plyometric exercises on Leg Day at the gym is the jump squat.

In the first variation, use suspension straps and lean back a bit.

In the second variation, let your arms move as you jump.

First, you squat low, with your feet flat on the floor and your hips lowering a bit below knee level (if you’re flexible enough for that), and your hands in a prayer position (if you have tender knees, then stop right at knee level – no lower).

Next, jump as high as you can as you raise your arms over your head.

When you land, try to land softly, and return the hands to the prayer position (but you can leave them out if you need them for balance).

Tip: Be mindful of how you land on your feet. Many people tend to roll the soles of their feet slightly more to one side, so challenge yourself to land evenly on the soles of your feet with weight evenly distributed.

Plyometrics Jumping Exercises Great-Looking Legs

The Plyometric Workout

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate-Level
Estimated Cost: Free

Plyometric exercises are jumping movements that can make you more athletic while giving you firmer buttocks, stronger legs, and a better-shaped lower-body. Plus, they are outstanding at burning calories.

Materials

  • Optional: cones, hurdles, kettlebell, hopscotch ladder, bench, box, jump rope, TRX straps. (However, no equipment is strictly needed.)

Instructions

Do each exercise 3 times for 30-seconds each – with 30-seconds rest in between:

  1. "Speed Skaters"
  2. Jump Forward, Squat-and-Hold (hop back)
  3. Kettlebell Lunge Jumps
  4. Jump Forward, Apart-and-Together
  5. Box Jumps (with touchdown)
  6. Box Jumps (with burpee)
  7. Kettlebell Lunge Box Jumps (side)
  8. Jumping Rope
  9. Suspension Squat Jumps
  10. Suspension Jump Lunges
  11. Knees Up-and-In
  12. Air Jump Squats

Notes

Limber-up gradually. Plyometric exercises require a more extensive warm-up than other types of workouts. Make sure to do some gentle mobility drills and joint movements beforehand.

Pay attention to your knee positioning. You want some torque going outward (knees apart) before you jump.

It’s kind of like screwing your feet into the ground so that some external rotation is created in the femurs – that way, your hip capsule braces and is prepared for a healthy jump.

Beginners can do this exercise in place. More experienced athletes can jump onto something stable (in the video above, I jump onto park bleachers).

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See if you can do 6 to 12 repetitions (depending on your current level of conditioning) for three sets (with a two-minute rest between sets).

Again, if it hurts your knees or back, stop. Seek assistance from a physical therapist, qualified fitness trainer, or your medical doctor.

Plyometrics Tip: How to Become a Cross-Trainer

One of the most common mistakes people make with exercise – besides not doing it – is to focus on one form of favorite exercise only.

It’s easier to only take spin classes, to only take yoga classes, to only use a treadmill, or to only lift weights. What’s harder – but infinitely more effective – is to do a different form of exercise each day.

The way to dramatically improve your health is to start thinking of yourself as a cross-trainer.

Cross-train means that each week you’re targeting your flexibility and your cardiopulmonary and your resistance training.

Of course, if your lifestyle is currently sedentary – and most people’s typical week is way more inactive than they realize – then the thought of becoming a cross-trainer can seem pretty overwhelming.

The first workout you want to build into your weekly schedule is your Walk. Walking has a way of reorganizing the systems of your body and preparing them for increased fitness.

Second, schedule yourself for once-a-week flexibility training. For example, I do all kinds of training each week: high-intensity interval training, bodybuilding, outdoor runs, etc. But among the most important of those workouts is my simple, once-a-week yoga class. It’s only 50 minutes long and it’s beginning-level, but it makes the rest of my week’s advanced workouts possible. Your weekly mobility training can look a variety of ways – a foam roller class, a Pilates session, yoga, or a stretching DVD that you do at home.

Why? Because you can have the heart of a teenager and the muscles of an Adonis, but if your spine isn’t long, flexible, and aligned – none of that other stuff will mean much of anything. If you’ve ever had a friend who suffers from chronic back pain, they will tell you first-hand: keep your spine healthy first!

If you want toned legs and firm, round, lifted glutes – and if you want to achieve stellar heart and lung conditioning – you can learn how to do plyometrics correctly.

Few exercises are more effective at shaping thigh muscles and firming the glutes than plyometrics.

Jumping exercises make a great “burn-out” finisher on Leg Day, or you can do one designated plyometrics workout – such as the one provided here – once each week.

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