5 Best Plyometric Exercises for Beginners to Increase Power

Whatever your level of fitness, you may do a variety of plyo workouts at home using only your body weight. (Image via Unsplash/ Bastien Plu)
Whatever your level of fitness, you may do a variety of plyo workouts at home using only bodyweight. (Image via Unsplash/Bastien Plu)

Plyometric exercises, known as plyos, are explosive and call for you to exert a lot of effort quickly. You can use these quick, intense motions in your training to improve your performance in the weight room or on the field.

During the Cold War era, scientists from the Soviet Bloc invented plyometric exercises for the first time. Dr. Yuri Verkhoshansky, a scientist, was in charge of the unique training regimen. To try to develop speed and explosiveness, he created a set of exercises he named 'jump training', where participants would perform numerous jump exercises.

Plyometric exercises can put a strain on the tendons, ligaments, and joints of the lower extremities, particularly the knees and ankles. To perform these exercises correctly and safely, you must have the necessary strength and fitness.

Plyometric jump (Image via Pexels/Cottonbro Studio)
Plyometric jump (Image via Pexels/Cottonbro Studio)

Best Plyometric Exercises to Increase Power

Although plyometric exercises can appear to be initimidating, many of them are safe for beginners and quite easy to master. You only need to do a few plyometric exercises every week.

To learn how to begin jumping, bounding, and skipping your way to greater health, read on to find out about five plyometric exercises for beginners:

1) Frog Hop

All the significant lower body muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves, are worked during this exercise.To keep the body upright during the pose, the core is also exercised.

Instructions:

  • Begin by placing your hands on the back of your head. Crouch down with your feet pointed out and legs open.
  • Jump up and forward as you explode through the ground.
  • Repeat the jumping motion after a soft landing in the same squatting position.
  • Complete the desired number of reps.

2) Squat Tuck Jump

To increase the strength of your lower body, try the squat tuck jump exercise. It will raise your heart rate, which will speed up the burning of calories. It will also increase your leaping ability.

Instructions:

  • Your hands should be joined in front of your chest while you stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Lean slightly forward as you descend into a squatting position.
  • Use the balls of your feet to propel yourself into the air.
  • Do the exercise while maintaining a straight back. In midair, tuck your knees up to your chest.
  • Once you've landed gently, start over by doing the motion again.

3) Star Jump

This is a fabulous full body plyometric exercise that increases quickness and explosiveness.

It becomes more difficult to move all the limbs at once, as the neuromuscular system must transmit the signals swiftly. The adductors and other significant lower body muscles are worked during this workout.

Instructions:

  • Put your feet together, and hold your arms out to the side.
  • As you slightly bend your knees, push into the balls of your feet, and explode upward; stretch your legs out to the sides, and raise your arms to shoulder height.
  • As you gently touch the ground, return your arms and legs to their original position.
  • Continue for the desired number of reps.

4) Jump Squat with Heel Tap

This plyometric exercise tests the glutes and quadriceps while enhancing your explosiveness. It's another plyometric variation of the squat.

Instructions:

  • With the toes slightly pointing outward, place your feet shoulder-width apart. Set your elbows wide apart; interlace your hands behind your head, and widen your chest.
  • You can lower yourself into a squat by bending your knees, hinging forward at the hips, and pushing your butt back. Maintain a straight posture with a tight core and flat back.
  • To jump up and tap the top quickly, exert force through your heels. After touching down, instantly squat down into the next posture with your feet in the starting position.

5) Lateral Lunge to Runner’s Jump

This workout targets both the inner and outer thighs, as it requires explosive side-to-side movement. It's also called the lateral plyometric exercise.

Instructions:

  • Put your feet hip-width apart when standing.
  • Move out to the right with a large step.
  • Keep your right knee bent, hips hinged forward and butt seated back to lower into a lateral lunges.
  • Make sure your knee doesn't advance past your toes while keeping your chest elevated and core engaged.
  • As you press through your right heel to stand again, raise your right knee to your chest, and leap upwards without putting it back on the ground.
  • Move onto the next rep as soon as you softly touch the ground with your left foot.

Takeaway

Plyometric squats (Image via Pexels/Cottonbro Studio)
Plyometric squats (Image via Pexels/Cottonbro Studio)

Whatever your level of fitness, you may do a variety of plyometric exercises at home using only your bodyweight.

There are other benefits to including plyometric exercises in your workout routine too. Plyometric exercises, also referred to as jump training, are frequently designed for elite athletes and individuals in top physical condition. However, those desiring to increase their fitness can also do these workouts.

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