Plyometric Training

Today was a day for focusing on a different form of training that I used to do back in my basketball, soccer and AFL days.

Plyometric training is a form of resistance training usually taken on by athletes looking to improve their sporting performance in their chosen sport.  Plyometrics can be referred to by some as being similar to that of an elastic band.  It basically involves storing the energy in the lengthening phase of an exercise to make it contract quickly.  It is often used by athletes and coaches to bridge the gap between strength and power.

Before jumping into Plyometric training one needs to assess a few things first.  Posture, injuries and the strength of an athlete will greatly determine the level of plyometrics undertaken.  As plyometric exercises usually mimic movements in sport like running, jumping, throwing this sort of training can greatly benefit  athletes in their chosen sports. 

Exercises such as:

• Single leg hops or jumps
• Stair or box jumps
• Squat jumps with or without weight
• Side to side jumps or single leg
• Ice skater on ground or Bosu ball
• Clapping pushups
• Uneven pushups
• Weighted pull-ups
• Medicine ball situps
• Russian twists
• Drop and catch pushups
• Mimicking a throwing or kicking motion with a cable machine or bands, etc

All in all Plyometrics are a fantastic way to keep your workouts interesting and fun, but be sure they are kept within your abilities.