Resistance bands

When I talk about “resistance bands” it isn’t about “Rage Against the Machine,” or some protest folk-rock singers from the 60′s. It is about elastic/rubber bands that make you work your muscles and increase your vertical jump via resistance training.

Power Systems Power Jumper

With the help of other athletes who are standing around with nothing to do, you can boost your vertical leaps. The Power Systems Power Jumper works by adding 40 to 50 pounds of resistance to your jumping routine. Each of the four 45 inch cables includes 20 pounds of resistance, and there is a padded waist belt to help prevent injury as well as two anchor points for two training partners to secure the entire exercise piece. The jumper gets the padding, true, but if you’re not playing nice with your partners, you might end up sailing up to the ceiling.

Good for use indoors or outdoors, the Power Systems Power Jumper is a system for all levels of athletes.

Power Systems Power Jumper: "Easy!" Say the spotters.

Vertical Master

When you’re looking to increase your jumping abilities, the Vertical Master is the tool your gym needs. By allowing you to secure yourself into a vest and then jump against resistance, you can practice exercises to jump higher on your own – no partners needed, which is good because your jumps aren’t that hot right now, are they? No one needs to witness that. Since the Vertical Master is uses bands for resistance, they will increase muscle strain, but they will not damage the joints in the process. And as your jumping abilities grow, you can add more resistance bands to make the workouts harder.

Note that the Vertical Master might need some additional weight at its base to prevent the equipment from leaping off the floor with the athlete.

Vertical Master: You will jump with joy when your vert increases 6"

Dual Dominator

Sometimes working out with a partner helps boost performance as well as helps you actually try harder during that really long workout. With the Dual Dominator, you and a partner can boost your jumping skills while also encouraging each other not to wimp out. You just need to strap each other the vests, and make sure you’re weight securely to the ground before you start jumping at each other.

When things get too easy, you can add more elastics for more resistance. And the price? Yes, it’s something you might jump away from at first.

Dual Dominator Jumper: Brings out the competitor in you.