Bigger Vertical Leap - 3 Awesome Barbell Exercises to Jump Higher For Basketball Players

With the major advantages that just a few extra inches in vertical leap can give a basketball player, it is no wonder that exercises basketball jump higher have always been popular. Those additional inches can mean the difference between a block and a basket, depending on which player has the better vertical leap. But which muscles and exercises should be focused on to make the most effective jumping increases?

The critical muscles involved in leaping ability are the calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps. So it makes sense that for basketball players to maximize their vertical leap, they'll need to train their legs extra hard.

3 Awesome Barbell Exercises To Jump Higher For Basketball Players:

1. Barbell Calf Raises. This exercise really works the calves. From a standing position, be sure to have the barbell safely on your shoulders. To complete one repetition, raise yourself on your tip toes, and then lower yourself back down until your feet are flat on the ground. Be sure to squeeze your calf muscles when you get to your top of your raise. You should have enough weight to fatigue yourself at between 5-8 repetitions per set (do three sets in total).

2. Barbell Deadlifts. A classic exercise that will work out your hamstrings. The basketball position has you standing with your feet shoulder width apart, and a barbell in front of you on the floor. One repetition involves squatting straight down (making sure to keep your back straight), grabbing the barbell, pushing up to a standing position, and then lowering the barbell back down to the floor. Again, make sure to put enough weight to sufficiently fatigue your muscles during three sets of eight repetitions.

3. Barbell Lunges. This traditional exercise activates the muscle fiber in your quadriceps extremely well. With a barbell on your shoulders, take one large step forward. Be sure to keep your back foot securely in place. Complete the rep by pushing your body back into the starting position. Your quads should be burning by the end of your routine.

After a few weeks of doing these three exercises, you should begin to notice an increase in your vertical leap. In additional to raising the amount of weight you are using, finding other exercises to jump higher will keep your body from becoming accustomed to this routine. Although it is a lot of work, try to keep the end goal in mind as your train. The greater your vertical leap, the better your basketball game will be.

Want to learn more about how exercises to jump higher can maximize your vertical leap?

Visit my blog at http://www.DoubleYourVerticalJump.blogspot.com to get more information on not only increasing your vertical jump in basketball, but also on how that increase can totally change your basketball skills. Be sure to check out the SICK video I included of a guy who's less than six feet tall, but who has a vertical leap of almost 60 inches! You'll be amazed at the dunks he can do. Michael Jordan's got nothing on him.

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