Today’s trainers are more accessible than ever. You can work with a fitness coach at a gym, visit a private studio, or have a mobile personal trainer visit your home. Unfortunately, a flood of new trainers has entered the industry. At Riddlock PT, we have noticed a resulting decline in the quality of fitness information shared as a whole.
I am writing this article because a new client recently asked me, “Shouldn’t we do more jumping?” Their previous trainer had them jumping constantly. Unsurprisingly, this client has several lower body niggles.
Should You Be Jumping In Your Personal Training Sessions?
Perhaps. Before adding jumping to your sessions, we must look at the bigger picture. We must define your health and fitness goals. Do you want to lose weight? Are you building lean muscle? Perhaps you are an athlete wanting to increase performance. While these are excellent goals, we must first identify your starting point. Without that starting point, we cannot set realistic expectations.
When clients ask fitness questions, my initial response is usually, “it depends.” This might sound annoying, but let me explain. Jumping, also called plyometrics, can benefit almost everyone. However, significant exceptions exist. I would not prescribe jumping exercises for obese clients, those with current lower body joint injuries, or pre/postnatal mothers. These conditions are usually temporary. Once you are able, you should learn to land before you learn to jump. Mastering the landing first is essential.
Everyone brings a different baseline robustness to training. A star jump might challenge one person as much as a one-meter box jump challenges another. Plyometrics works for most people. We just must apply the correct intensity.
Learn to Land Before You Jump
Landing technique is paramount. Unfortunately, people rarely practice this skill. Instagram influencers constantly push jumping programs to “build the booty.” This encourages people to smash themselves with box jumps and jumping lunges inappropriately.
Just as you cannot run before you walk, you cannot jump before you learn to land. Most jumping-related injuries occur during landing. Watch this video to learn basic landing mechanics.
watch the video below to learn some basics of landing mechanics:
Is Jumping Bad for Your Joints?
Jumping is a high-impact exercise. Naturally, people think it damages joints. However, a major difference exists between “jumping in sport” and “jumping in fitness.” In organised sports like basketball or volleyball, joints take a beating over a career. Athletes can still manage this impact. Doing jumping exercises during personal training, however, is generally safe. Your trainer simply must use correct intensity, programming, and technique. They must also place jumping exercises in the correct setting within your workout.
Does Jumping Help You Lose Weight and Build Muscle?
Clients often ask if they should focus on muscle building and fat loss simultaneously. The answer is yes. Lean muscle mass is necessary for fat loss. Why? Muscle is metabolically active tissue. It burns more daily calories than fat tissue.
Plyometrics, when executed correctly, offer distinct benefits. They suit nearly any fitness level. They build strength, speed, and bone density. They also improve coordination and athletic performance. Jumping burns calories. This helps with weight loss, provided you maintain a calorie deficit.
What Are The Benefits Of Including Jumping In Your Training Sessions?
Jumping effectively warms up your muscles before you lift weights. These exercises also prime your nervous system for heavy lifts. Plyometric drills improve your power generation and explosiveness. They can even boost proprioception. This is your body’s ability to sense its position in space.
Summary and Recommendation
Including jumping in your routine requires careful thought. While plyometrics can boost your athletic performance and muscle growth, you must prioritize technique over flashy moves. You must respect the requirement to learn landing mechanics first. Without this foundation, the high impact increases your injury risk.
At Riddlock PT, we specialize in safe, mobile fitness coaching, particularly for clients over 40. We can help you add jumping to your routine in a structured, beneficial way. We ensure the intensity matches your individual starting point. Let us help you “FIT” fitness into your life safely.
Contact us today!
