Plyometric exercises are high intensity training techniques used to develop athletic power (strength and speed). I would use these a lot in the gym - both in my own training and clients (when we could train in the Hurt Locker - aghh the pre covid days!) and we also use these a lot in our online programme!
Plyometric movements use strength and elasticity of muscle tissues to increase the speed or force of muscular contraction; basically allowing us to jump higher, move faster, throw harder, or to further improve performance in any particular sport. A plyometric exercise consists of 2 different phases:
1. The lengthening phase.
2. The stretch-shortening phase.
During the lengthening phase your muscles are "loaded" which is immediately followed by a shortening contraction.
Think about a squat - going from your start position (standing tall) to the squat position is considered the lengthening phase. The next phase, the stretch-shortening phase, is considered the plyometric contraction, this is the explosive movement of contracting your muscles, and driving back up to your original start position.
There are many forms of plyometric exercises - box jumps, squat jumps, single leg lateral jumps as in the picture attached .... etc etc, without even thinking about it we use many "plyometric" elements in our programme which are so beneficial in aiding us to add speed and power to our workouts.
Looking forward to another strong week ahead - keep the focus and be consistently disciplined.
Ian
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