The vertical jump remains one of the purest displays of athleticism. Many scouts of sports such as basketball and football will refer to a player who can jump very high as "athletic." Improving your vertical jump requires an increase in leg strength, dynamic power and explosive power. A training program for an increase in jump height should include all three types of exercises. In fact, some of the best exercises for improving vertical jump don't even need equipment. You simply use your body weight.
Squats
Many exercises can strengthen the muscles involved in jumping, but they should focus on compound exercises, or those that require movement around multiple joints. Squats are a good compound exercise for increasing jump height because they work all the required muscles. Squats also train the muscles similarly to the way they are used in a jump.
Lunge
The lunge is an example of dynamic movement, and there are plenty of modifications to challenge the glutes. These are the largest muscles in your body, and often the strongest, capable of creating large amounts of force. Because many jumps come off one leg, lunges are ideal because they work one leg at a time.
Squat Jump
In a squat jump, you start with a body-weight squat, then jump as high as you can as you come out of the squat, which helps improve your leaping ability.
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