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Product Reviews

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Free to Fly - Jump Program and Website

Dan is one of the most intelligent and hard working trainers I have ever met! If you don't believe me, check out his videos on youtube and his website. He is also one of the BEST DUNKERS I have ever seen in person, and he is willing to teach us how to become better too! He knows his stuff about training and loves to see everyone improve their vertical! He is a no nonsense trainer that believes in hard work and solid training principles. He is easy to communicate with and able to explain vertical jump training in a simple way or go into more depth if you have some knowledge about training. The best part about his site is that all of his information is free! He has free beginner, intermediate, and advanced training programs as well as a number of other cool information to check out! He also can provide PERSONAL TRAINING for an extremely low price of just $55!!! This is the BEST DEAL I have ever come across for the quality instruction and results that you get from Dan! Check out the blog and contact him if you are SERIOUS ABOUT IMPROVING YOUR VERTICAL!

VertFreak 101

I have not purchased this product, but I have talked with many that have used it and I have been fully convinced that this is a great product! Not only is every program completely customized to fit your athletic ability, but you are able to talk with elite trainers whenever you want. This program was designed by a 6 time ACC high jump champ, Adam Linkenauger. Also helping with this product are Jesse Williams, National High Jump champion, and Flying 101 dunkers. I have talked to Adam several times and he is one of the most knowledgable people I have ever come across when it comes to training and jumping. I trust him and I would recommend his program to anyone.(Plus they have cool shirts!)

Vertical Jump Bible

The vertical jump bible is a great training tool. Kelly Baggett, the author, does a great job of explaining everything you want to know about jumping and jumping higher. It has different programs customized to what type of athlete you are. If you don't know, he even gives you simple tests to find out what program suits you best. Another nice thing about this training aid is that it gives you ways to improve your vertical when you don't have access to weight room equipment. Kelly Baggett has loads of experience training other athletes as well as himself. He is a knowledgable person and his book shows it. This product costs $40 and is worth it if you are willing to spend that much.

 

The Fabulous 15 "Top 15 Exercises for Higher Vertical Jumps

Joe Defranco is a famous trainer and there is a reason for that. He knows what works, why it works, and he can make normal people into freaks. This is a great list of exercises, but most of them are for ADVANCED ATHLETES. I would not recommend doing a lot of these unless you are with a trainer. Take a look at his website and youtube videos. He is an expert in just about any sport/strongman related area.

 

Dr. Squat's 21 Week Program (bodybuilder.com)

This is a solid program designer to help build your strength and reactivity through weights and plyometrics. I would recommend this program, but again, I would also recommend talking to a trainer and running through the exercises before just trying them by yourself.

Jumpsoles

This product is effective if used right. I sometimes mix them into my plyometric workouts and I like them. They are very convienient because you can attatch them to any pair of shoes. Most of all though, I like to use the proprioceptor attatchments. These attatchments are great for working on your balance and stretching. They can be a good workout for your calves as well if you add in some weight. Start with a strong base strength in your legs, then progress to the jumpsole plyo program. You will see good results this way! They are a little expensive, but still a valuable investment for strengthing your legs and feet.

Strength Shoes

Strength Shoes are a good addition to your workouts. They are more stable then jumpsoles once you have them on, but they are a little less convienient because jumpsoles can be attatched to any shoe. Strength shoes help to overload your calves and stretch your achilles tendon. By following their plyometric exercises, you will be sure to increase your vertical! My advice would be to work on gaining a strong base strength in your legs and then starting the strength shoes plyo program and you will see great results. I would highly recommend the shoes if you are looking to improve your vertical!

 

The Vertical Project

This product is not worth the money at all! I found it to be very disorganized, confusing, and very little versatility/customizability within the program. Some of his basic scientific ideas are ridiculous and omit key details. The product also requires specific things that a lot of people don't have access to at all times(example - deep water pools) DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!

Air Alert

The problem with Air Alert is that it focuses on just six plyo exercises throughout the whole program. The only thing that changes is the number of repetitions per session. This idea isn't the best. Top trainers say you should limit your number of repetitions so you can be as explosive as possible in each one. You will never see a jump trainer tell you to do 50 reps of anything because thats triggering the wrong kind of muscle fibers. Another problem with this program is that it neglects all weight training. Plyometrics have been proven to be effective, but they are only effective relative to the amount of muscle you have. The more muscle you have, the more muscle you can train to become effective in jumping. Although I have basically only said negative things about it, the plyometric exercises are decent ones if properly mixed in with regular strength training. With all this said, it is possible to see gains from this product, you just won't be able to reach your full jumping potential.

Jump Evolution

I have only read whats on this program's website but it sounds like it is just another waste of time. It gives bogus equations and focuses too little on key elements of the vertical leap. It says all you need is a 60 lb barbell and a hamstring curl machine! No serious trainer tell you these things are the most important and only things you would need. With only 60 lbs, there is no way of building the strength needed to obtain a serious vertical and a hamstring curl is not even close to the best exercise to train your hamstrings and P-Chain. He also talks about abs contributing 10% of your jumping power. This is ridiculous. Unless this guy can jump by just flexing his abs, he was just throwing out numbers. I would recommend not buying this product.

Phi Slamma Jamma

This product has similar problems as air alert. It focuses too much on increased repetitions and too little on strength training. However it is free, and the exercises that they list are beneficial when combined with weight training.

The Stick (Stretching Aid)

The stick is a very effective stretching aid. It is very good at isolating specific muscles that are hard to stretch during your usual static stretches. It feels like a deep massage and is very soothing. I use it all the time and I would highly recommend getting one. I would not just use this product as your only stretching tool, but I would combine it with other forms of stretching as well.

Springback Insoles

Sprinbak insoles are an insole that are supposed to immediately allow you to jump higher and run faster. Don't believe the hype and save your money!

 

Heavy Ball

The heavy ball is a great basketball training aid from JUMPUSA. The ball itself weighs 3 lbs which is more than two times the weight of a regular basketball. That extra weight causes your body to adapt and become stronger. After overloading your body with extra weight, a normal ball will feel like nothing in your hands. The ball also comes with a dvd that contains 10 power exercises that you can perform that will help your game in no time! However, I found that just dribbling, shooting, jumping, passing with the ball has made me a stronger player. After playing with the heavy ball, I felt like I could dribble faster with more control, jump higher with the ball, developed a better grip, and could make crisper passes. The only thing that I wouldn't recommend doing is trying to shoot from longer distances because this could throw off your form. This is a great training aid that I would recommend to anyone!

Springboost Training shoes???

coming soon!!!