Athletic Quickness Jump Program Review

Written by Jack Woodrup for VerticalJumping.com

The Athletic Quickness jump program has a unique angle on vertical jump training in that it doesn't recommend any jumping exercises or lifting weights. So how exactly does this program help your vertical jump? Read our complete review below to find out.

No Plyometrics? No Weights? What is this?

Usually the heading above is titled Quality of Information, however to fully understand the Athletic Quickness program you need to know what it is. Basically the program consists of doing a number isometric contractions for between 10-15 seconds using rubber resistance bands.

The idea behind this is that the isometric contractions download some of the bands elasticity into your muscles. The example that comes to mind is if you were to set up a catapult with a giant rubber band. By stretching the band you are creating a large amount of potential energy that when released will turn into kinetic energy and launch the catapult.

The other thing that an isometric contraction usually does is recruits a greater percentage of muscle fibres to help maintain the contraction in the hold position. The theory as applied to improved jumping is that by performing isometric contractions in a variety of jump related positions you train your body to recruit more muscle fibers. After training like this for a while you supposedly can then convert the extra recruited fibers across the full range of the contraction used in a jump.

Is this information sound? Isometrics have long been a contentious issue. Most studies on isometric training have demonstrated that you mostly only get stronger in the position of the contraction. However, you do tend to get a lot stronger at those points suggesting that you do indeed recruit more fibers. Also, most sudies haven't used rubber bands to load up the muscles with potential energy.

As a training theory on its own it does make a certain amount of sense. It would probably work even better if after you performed the contractions you 'patterned' your body by doing some actual jumping to try and develop positive muscle memory.

All that aside, the aim here is to assess this program on its accuracy of information. In the program it also claims that weight training and plyometric type jumping is in fact not the best way to develop your vertical. They claim rubber band isometrics are. The problem with making a claim like this is that there are thousands of athletes who have made incredible gains using these methods, whilst we can't think of a single elite athlete who got that way using isometrics alone.

Also, unlike some of the more comprehensive programs we have reviewed, the isometrics are the only thing covered. So from a quality of information aspect, Athletic Quickness is quite frankly appalling.

Customisation

You might not be too surprised to know that there is no customization for this program. It is basically a series of isometric contractions to do.

Presentation

The presentation of Athletic Quickness is one of its strong points. It comes with a booklet containing large photos demonstrating the various contractions, as well as clear written explanations of their isometric training philosophy.

Value For Money

The program costs $29.95. For what it is this program is not good value for money. It does come complete with two rubber resistance bands, although these can be purchased in most sports stores for a couple of dollars.

Conclusion

It is our view that Athletic Quickness is not really a true jumping program. At best the techniques provided should be used perhaps as a light activity to do on an active rest day, or during a de-load period. We doubt very much that long term use of this program would develop your vertical jump significantly.

Also, if you are interested in the buying the sprint training program as well, save your money. It is nearly identical to the vertical jump program.