By Samantha Copeland
The Post Newspaper Fitness Writer
Looking to level up your fitness game? Consider adding plyometric exercises into your routine to really increase intensity. Plyometrics is high-impact, high intensity strength training that targets the lower body. The moves are quick and explosive and exert a lot more energy than typical strength training sessions. The purpose is to help increase speed, strength, endurance, agility, and coordination, which can then be applied in sports to improve performance.
Plyometric training can also help reduce the risk of injury by improving the body’s ability to quickly absorb shock, boost tendon strength and increase your rate of force development (your body’s ability to generate a lot of power really quick). Training such as this is useful for athletes whose sports require them to perform quick, powerful movements.
There are several different plyometric exercises you can try at home, at the gym or even the park. The top 5 include:
- Box jumps
- Reverse lunge knee-ups
- Burpees
- Clapping push-ups
- Tuck jumps
Plyometrics can also be referred to as reactive training. How the body responds to quick, unexpected changes on ground surfaces is what allows you to avoid potential injury. It’s the ability to react and respond quickly, on or off the field. Most injuries occur when the body goes beyond its range of motion with control. When you start training the body how to respond when its limits are reached, you react with conscious speed and stability.
In exercise science, strength is defined as the ability to generate a sufficient internal force in your connective tissues and muscles to overcome the resistance of an external force, changing its velocity. With proper training, adding plyometrics to your workout can give you a huge performance boost as an athlete. These power exercises are one of the most challenging types of movements but also yield one of the most effective results.
Plyometrics is an exercise that is designed for people who already maintain a regular workout routine and are looking to add intensity. It is not for beginners. It’s best to master the fundamentals of a workout routine before you incorporate plyometrics in order to achieve the results it has to offer.
Samantha Copeland is the owner of Texas City’s Yoga on 6th With Sam. She has an extensive background as a licensed therapist, fitness coach, personal trainer and yoga instructor. Ms. Copeland follows a simple and holistic approach of staying in balance mentally, physically, and spiritually.
