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“What’s the best vertical jump program?”
That is the 2nd most asked question I get after “how do I increase my vertical?”
There are so many vertical jump training programs available nowadays that it’s just friggin’ impossible to keep track of ’em all.
And trying to discover which one is the best by testing them all yourself is just not practical.
Luckily, we have the internet nowadays where people like me, who went through a shit-ton of programs, can share their views and experience and help you make the right decision.
So which one is the BEST vertical jump training program?
Stay tuned as I unveil my TOP two recommendations for adding inches to your bounce, and help you decide which one is the best for YOU.
Let’s begin.
The Best Vertical Jump Programs
Each one of these programs I’m about to show you has its own merits and strengths, as well as its weaknesses, but these are the best in the business right now… and if you follow them, you’re bound to get some results.
So without further ado, here are the top 2 vertical jump programs that gave me the best results so far…
1. Vert Shock
Boom!
Bet you didn’t expect this one, did you?
Yes, the #1 spot on my list for the best vertical jump program this year goes to Vert Shock.
Vert Shock is a relatively new program, it was launched a few years ago with a big buzz, and from the moment it entered the scene, it spread like wildfire.
Once the word got out and people started dunking left and right, there was no stopping it… the program became almost viral, with thousands of athletes worldwide reporting gains of up to 15 inches during the course of just eight weeks (sounds crazy, I know… but it’s true).
Here’s the quick story.
It was created by two very distinguished people; Adam Folker which is a pro basketball player, and Justin ‘Jus Fly’ Darlington, who is considered to be one of the greatest dunkers on the planet. Seriously, he’s that good!
What makes it so special?
Vert Shock is new, innovative, and much different from most of the programs out there.
The principles used in this program are still the same, but the big difference is that it focuses 100% on plyometrics, and it combines them with advanced form and body hack techniques in a super efficient way.
The principles used in this program are still the same, but the big difference is that it focuses 100% on plyometrics, and it combines them with advanced form and body hack techniques in a super efficient way.
For this reason, most of the people who tried Vert Shock claim it’s one of the easiest programs they ever did.
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy though, you’ll still have to put in a lot of work in order to earn that dunk.
And yet, compared to other programs I’ve trained with, I’d say Vert Shock is indeed on the easier side of the scale.
I’ve made an extensive review of Vert Shock here, where I break down all the ins and outs of the program. Be sure to check that out if you’re considering this program.
For a lot of athletes – especially for beginners – Vert Shock is a great fit as there’s no strength training involved (good for those who can’t afford a gym), and it’s also less time-consuming in terms of the workouts and length of the program (longer rest periods and only eight weeks).
But beware, there is a caveat…
Vert Shock is super intense, and it could be hard on your knees if you’re not in a tip-top condition.
In most cases, it’s not something you should worry about.
But if you suffered a traumatic injury in the past and have a history with your knees/ankles, then you’ll need to include some strength training on top of Vert Shock’s routine in order to handle all the loads and better support your joints.
In this case, I’d go even a step further and start the strength regimen 2-4 weeks before doing the program, as the workouts are intense from day one.
But if you haven’t had any past issues and your legs are good, then you can go ahead and jump straight into this program.
Here’s a video that explains in more detail how Vert Shock works:
All in all, I was very impressed with Vert Shock and the way it’s structured.
It was written by a professional basketball player and a pro dunker (Adam Folker and Justin ‘Jus Fly’), and they did a tremendous job of creating a program that is both fresh and innovative.
2. Jump Manual
The Jump Manual by Jacob Hiller is my #2 pick.
I know, I know… “it’s old,” you’re probably thinking…
…and it’s true… after all, it was launched in 2007.
…but even though the program is old, it is still very much relevant today and is STILL one of the most effective programs for increasing your vertical jump.
I found out about this program only in my 30’s, and the timing couldn’t be better… it was just before I was about to give up the whole jumping thing and move on with my life.
That’s when I discovered The Jump Manual and decided to give it a try.
And I’m glad I did, because The Jump Manual was the first program that finally took my vertical beyond 30 inches.
I started with a lame 25″ vertical, and finished with a sick 41.7″ vertical after 7.5 months of crazy hardcore nonstop training!
Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of blood, sweat & tears that were spilled.
But it paid off HUGELY.
Just look at my results with The Jump Manual and tell me if it’s not something that sparks up your imagination.
There’s a reason as to why this program has held on to this day…
Jump Manual has a unique multi-faceted approach that helps you maximize your results and reach your full explosive potential by squeezing out the training.
The author, coach Jacob Hiller, kept evolving the program and perfecting it over time by following new scientific studies and ongoing research to further improve his system and concentrate on the stuff that matters most when it comes to increasing your vertical jump.
Here’s an interview he did on ESPN where he talks about the program and explains why so many people have succeeded with it:
And here’s a good video by Jacob Hiller that explains how the program works:
Jump Manual is one of the most polished and professional programs I’ve ever come across, it gave me the best results so far, in the least amount of time.
If I had to choose today what vertical program to go with, I’d probably still choose The Jump Manual… but that’s just because I’m oldschool too 🙂
Vert Shock vs Jump Manual
So you’re probably scratching your head right now asking yourself:
Which program should I choose – Jump Manual or Vert Shock?
Well, let me make the decision easy for you.
If you’re under 25 and you’re in good shape with no history of any back/leg issues, then go with Vert Shock.
It’ll be a little shock for your body, but it’ll give you the fastest results in the shortest amount of time.
However, if you’re a bit old like me (hate to admit it) or have a history of injuries, it’s better to go with The Jump Manual since the process is more gradual and, generally speaking, safer.
My Jump Training Journey
Whenever I’m faced with a situation in life where I need to choose between multiple options, I’ve adopted a habit of always looking for the best possible solution and picking the one that fits me most.
So when I set out on a quest to increase my vertical, I looked for a program that would give me maximum results in the least amount of time.
Over the years I tried many different programs and workouts such as Air Alert Program, Vertical Jump Bible, BoingVert, Bounce Kit, and many more…
Some of them worked more, some less, but most of them were total BS and a complete waste of my time (and money)!
Either way, it took me a long time and lots of trial & error until I found something that works… believe me, I went through a lot of misery and frustration in my quest to dunk.
But something good came out of all the grief…
Through my experience, I’ve learned to tell the difference between a good program and a crappy program just by looking at it… and I realized what are the core components of an effective vertical jump program.
After trying a lot of programs on the market, I can confidently tell you that most of the stuff out there falls within the range of garbage to mediocre.
However, sorting through all of the trash, a few good programs have emerged, and thankfully, I was lucky enough to find them.
So there you have it guys, these are my top 2 picks for the average dude who seeks to improve his vertical and add some explosion to his game.
These two programs were both tested and proven to work for me and my teammates, and I can confidently say that these are the best in the game right now.
Born and raised in sunny Florida, Jesse Parker grew up spending most of his days outdoors playing hoops and honing his basketball skills. He has a huge love for the game and is always striving to get better at it. His latest obsession is the subject of vertical jumping and dunking.