

That’s why it’s really important to nail the basic form of a movement (say, lunges) before you add a plyometric element to it (say, jump lunges). The big benefits of plyos come with a big caveat: There is a higher risk of injury with these moves than more traditional strength training or cardio since they are a high-impact form of exercise performed at max effort. Since they are a high-intensity movement, they can provide a lot of benefits in a shorter amount of time than lower-intensity movements, making them a solid option if you’re strapped for time but still want to get in a challenging workout.

One more big benefit of plyos? They are a good bang-for-your-exercise-buck, says Hodges. With proper plyometric training, you can boost your ability to effectively and safely absorb shock and thus reduce the risk of injury in sports and workout settings. For example, if you jump up to block the ball in a game of beach volleyball and don’t land back on the ground with good mechanics, you could tear a muscle, tendon, or ligament. “Most injuries occur when the body goes beyond its range of motion with control,” explains Hodges. Plyometric training can also help reduce your risk of injury both in sports and at the gym, since they improve your body’s ability to quickly absorb shock. This can come in handy for athletes whose sports require them to perform quick, powerful movements-like track athletes, for instance, or volleyball players.

Plyos can also boost tendon strength and increase your rate of force development-essentially, your body’s ability to generate a lot of power really fast, says Hodges. They can help increase speed, strength, endurance, agility, and coordination, says Hodges. There are many benefits of plyometric exercises that might just convince you to add them to your workout routine. What are the benefits of plyometric exercises? But there are some upper-body-focused plyo moves, too, says Hodges-for instance, plyo push-ups and explosive medicine ball throws. That said, many plyometric moves-like jumping lunges, pop squats, and tuck jumps-place an extra emphasis on your core and lower half. In terms of which muscle groups plyos work, for the most part they are actually full-body movements, says Hodges. A plank, for example, is an isometric exercise. An isometric exercise, by contrast, involves muscles staying super still while they work. That’s because plyometrics involve quick movements and concentric (shortening) and eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions.
#Muscles worked in tuck jumps free
I'll be presenting 1 exercise a day for the next 50 days as part of my personal challenge to get in "Wedding Shape" this year and as part promoting of my side business, See & Be Fitness.All of the exercises will be body weight and free weight exercises, so no need for fancy equipment or machines.Ĭheck out the website: We're also getting up and running on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.Now, people may wonder if plyometrics are an isometric exercise technique. This will help give you a bit of a cardio workout too! Try to spring off the ground as quickly as possible with maximum power to keep the tempo up. Then spring out of the crouched position into the air while bringing your knees up to your chest. You'll start with your knees bent and torso straight. Tuck Jumps are another great plyometric exercise that will work your lower body and core muscles.
