Buying guide for Best jump trainers
Whether you’re a basketball player, volleyball player, or track and field athlete, improving your vertical and horizontal leaping can go a long way in boosting your performance. A jump trainer is designed to help athletes of all ages and skill levels improve vertical and horizontal jumping, as well as work your hips, quads, and glutes.
Most jump trainers consist of straps that wrap around the ankles and are then connected to rubber bands that attach at the waist. As you jump up or forward, the bands provide resistance that can help improve the distance you get when you leap, as well as boost your overall strength and endurance.
Key considerations
Type
You can choose from three different types of jump trainers. Each has a slightly different design, but all can help improve vertical and horizontal leaping and strengthen the muscles used in those movements.
Belted resistance trainers: These aren’t meant exclusively for jump training, but they can be used to improve your vertical explosiveness. They consist of a belt that fits around your waist and is connected to a long resistance band. The band can be attached to a heavy, stationary object near your workout area or held by another person. To boost your vertical leaping, keep the band low to the ground and jump as you would during your sport. The band provides resistance, requiring you to work the muscles in your legs harder, so you’ll be better prepared for competition action.
Above-the-knee banded trainers: These aren’t specifically for jump training either, but they can definitely help boost your leaping abilities. These feature adjustable straps that wrap around the legs just above the knee. The straps have resistance bands that go between your legs, so you’ll experience resistance whenever you move your legs, even just walking across the gym. They can help boost your jump game by building the muscles in your legs overall, so you’re stronger and can get off the ground with more speed and power.
Waist/ankle trainers: These are the most common style of jump trainer. They consist of a belt at the waist and straps for the ankles. The belt and bands are connected with resistance cords that are meant to help you maintain a crouched position. When you jump upward or forward, the cords provide resistance that helps you strengthen the muscles you need for greater power when you’re leaping vertically or horizontally.
Expert Tip
Jump training is also called Plyometric Training or Reactive, and it's a great way for competitive athletes to improve explosive strength while increasing the strength in their fast-twitch muscle fibers.
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Features
Adjustability
Length and position: To make sure that your jump trainer fits well no matter how tall or large you are, you should choose a model that allows for some adjustments. Many belt and ankle or knee straps feature a hook-and-loop or buckle closure, so you’re able to size them to fit your body. The bands or cords themselves are sometimes adjustable, allowing you to lengthen or shorten them based on your height. Some jump trainers also allow you to reposition the bands or cords, which enables you to target different muscles depending on your training goals.
Resistance: If you want to be able to advance your workouts as you improve your jumping skills, opt for a jump trainer that offers several resistance levels that allow you to increase the resistance as you get stronger. In most cases, a jump trainer comes with multiple sets of resistance bands or cords. That means you can use the same belt and ankle or knee straps and simply swap in bands that offer greater resistance. Bands can range from as little as 2 pounds of resistance up to 120 pounds.
Some brands may require you to purchase additional resistance bands separately, which can drive up the overall cost of your jump trainer. There are even some jump trainer manufacturers that don’t allow you to replace the resistance bands, so when it’s time to up your workout, you have to buy a whole new system with the belt and ankle or knee straps.
Expert Tip
Jump training is a high-impact exercise. To avoid joint wear and tear, I recommend counting foot contact with each jump and not exceeding certain contacts or reps.
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Comfort
A jump trainer should be comfortable to use, with no pinching or digging into your skin. Most models feature hook-and-loop closures, without any metal buckles that could irritate or pinch your skin. Make sure that all the seams are smooth to prevent any chafing when you jump. Some trainers even have ankle straps and waistbands that are padded with foam to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible.
Storage/travel bag
Most jump trainers are lightweight, which makes them ideal for taking with you on the road or to the gym. To make it easier to take your trainer on the go or to keep it organized for storage, opt for a jump trainer that includes a carrying bag for all the components.
Instructions
While most jump trainers aren’t complicated to use, it helps to have some guidance when you’re training with a new piece of fitness equipment. Some jump trainers include an instruction booklet, card, or online videos that show you exactly how to use the trainer. You can find some trainers that include detailed workout suggestions to help you design the ideal training program to improve your vertical and horizontal leaping.
For your safety
Having the right form when using a jump trainer is crucial to avoiding injuries, so follow the instructions that come with your trainer carefully.
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Jump trainer prices
Jump trainers vary in price based on the type and any special features they offer. Most models range from $19 to $65.
Inexpensive
The most affordable jump trainers are usually above-the-knee trainers. They typically don’t offer too many resistance levels or accessories, but they only cost between $19 and $25.
Mid-range
These jump trainers are typically belted resistance trainers that don’t usually offer many resistance levels or accessories. They range from $25 to $38.
Expensive
The most expensive jump trainers are waist/ankle trainers. These typically offer multiple resistance levels and include accessories like a storage bag and instruction booklet. You’ll pay between $32 and $65 for these trainers.
Expert Tip
For beginners, the recommended foot contacts per session are between 60-100. For advanced athletes, the recommended foot contacts are 150-200 per session.
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Tips
- Rest between sessions. To give your body time to recover, you should wait two to three days between training sessions with your jump trainer. In total, aim for two to three training sessions per week.
- Limit the reps. When it comes to the number of reps you do with a jump trainer, it’s usually best to stick to about six per set. Lower reps done with more power tend to provide better results.
- Increase the sets. In each training session, try to do four to ten sets. When you start, you may not be able to do many sets, but as you build strength you can work your way up to more.
- Increase the resistance. If you’re doing the maximum number of sets and not finding it challenging, it’s usually a sign that you need to increase the resistance.
FAQ
Q. How long does it take to see results with a jump trainer?
A. That can vary based on a variety of factors, such as your overall strength and leaping ability when you start, as well as how often you train. Athletes who train consistently often report seeing results in as little as two to four weeks, though it may take six to eight weeks for some people.
Expert Tip
Most people only need one jump training session per week. For serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts, 2 to 3 sessions are recommended at the most.
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Q. How old do you have to be to use a jump trainer?
A. It really depends on the jump trainer and how much resistance it offers. People of all ages can use a jump trainer to improve their jumping skills for basketball or volleyball, but younger athletes shouldn’t work out with too much resistance. You can usually start jump training around the age of 10, but any athlete who’s 14 or younger should always be supervised. Keep the resistance low, too. Stick with 2 to 5 pounds of resistance until your child is older.
Q. What type of athletes should use a jump trainer?
A. Jump training is effective for basketball players, but it’s also ideal for volleyball and netball players. Track and field athletes who participate in the high jump and/or hurdles events obviously benefit from jump training, too. Because jump training strengthens the leg muscles, any athlete can benefit from fitting it into their workout routine.
