Weighted Jump Squat
Weighted Jump Squats are a great exercise to improve your lower body power and explosiveness. This exercise requires you to use a light weight barbell, weighted vest, sandbag, or other type of resistance across your back. Start with your feet just outside of shoulder width with your head and chest up. Using a countermovement, squat partially down and then explode off of the ground, extending through your hips, knees, and ankles. Make sure to keep good posture throughout the jump. Upon returning to the ground, absorb the impact through your legs. Doing Weighted Jump Squats can help improve your lower body strength and power.
Type:
Strength
Muscles Used:
Quadriceps
Level:
Beginner
Equipment:
Barbell
Benefits Of This Exercise
- Increase lower body strength and power
- Improve explosiveness
- Improve posture
- Increase coordination
- Improve balance and stability
- Increase speed and agility
- Build muscle and burn fat
Step by Step Instructions For Weighted Jump Squat
- Place a barbell, weighted vest, sandbag, or other type of resistance across the back of your shoulders.
- Ensure that the weight is light enough to not slow you down significantly.
- Position your feet just outside of shoulder width and keep your head and chest up. This will be your starting position.
- Perform a countermovement by squatting partially down.
- Immediately reverse your direction and explosively jump off the ground.
- Extend through your hips, knees, and ankles while maintaining good posture.
- As you land, absorb the impact through your legs.
Warm Up Tips
- Start by positioning a lightly loaded barbell across the back of your shoulders. Alternatively, you can use a weighted vest, sandbag, or any other type of resistance for this exercise.
- Ensure that the weight is light enough to not significantly slow you down. Stand with your feet just outside of shoulder width and keep your head and chest up. This will be your starting position.
- Perform a countermovement by squatting partially down and immediately reversing your direction to explode off the ground. Extend through your hips, knees, and ankles while maintaining good posture throughout the jump.
- As you land back on the ground, absorb the impact through your legs.
Weighted Jump Squat Safety Tips
- Choose the right weight: Make sure the weight you use is light enough that it doesn’t slow you down significantly. This will help you maintain proper form and prevent injuries.
- Maintain good posture: Throughout the exercise, keep your head and chest up. This will help you engage the correct muscles and prevent strain on your back.
- Start with the right foot position: Position your feet just outside of shoulder width. This will provide stability and allow you to generate power from your legs.
- Explode off the ground: Use a countermovement by squatting partially down and then immediately reverse your direction to jump off the ground. This explosive movement will engage your lower body muscles and improve power.
- Absorb the impact: As you land back on the ground, make sure to absorb the impact through your legs. This will prevent excessive stress on your joints and reduce the risk of injury.
Incorporating Into Other Workouts
One way to incorporate Weighted Jump Squats into your workout routine is to include them as part of a lower body power and explosiveness circuit. Here's an example of how you can structure your workout:
1. Warm up: Start with a dynamic warm-up that includes exercises like jogging, high knees, and leg swings to prepare your muscles for the workout.
2. Main circuit: Perform 3-4 sets of the following exercises, with minimal rest between exercises and 1-2 minutes rest between sets:
- Weighted Jump Squats: Complete 10-12 reps of weighted jump squats, using a light weight barbell, weighted vest, sandbag, or other type of resistance. Focus on exploding off the ground and maintaining good posture throughout the jump.
- Box Jumps: Find a sturdy box or platform and perform 8-10 box jumps. Start with a lower height and gradually increase as you become more comfortable and confident with the movement.
- Bulgarian Split Squats: Stand in a split stance with one foot elevated on a bench or step behind you. Perform 10-12 reps on each leg, focusing on lowering your body down and driving through the front heel to return to the starting position.
- Medicine Ball Slams: Hold a medicine ball or slam ball overhead and forcefully slam it to the ground. Complete 12-15 reps, focusing on using your core and upper body to generate power.
3. Cool down: Finish your workout with a cool down that