Plyometrics are drills designed to connect strength with speed to produce power. It is also known as the “jump training”, this technique emerged in the Eastern Europe in the early 1970s. The word was coined by an American track coach, Fred Wilt, where the word derives from the Latin plyo + metrics, or “measurable increases”. Plyometric training relates to any activity that requires speed and strength, as it improves your ability to run faster, jump higher, and manuever in multidirectional sports. If your game involves a court, field, track, mat, pool, ring, rink, or mountain, Plyometrics can help.

The key to avoiding injury during any plyometric exercise is to ensure proper take-off and landing. This technique can best be achieved by leaping off the toes and landing softly and quietly on the balls of the feet. Wear a good shock absorbing rubber shoes and workout on a surface that provides plenty of cushion. However, if one has a chronic knee problems, this workout is not recommended.

I prepared myself with my heart rate monitor on my chest, a mat, a stool/chair, bottle of water, and towel.

There were 23 exercises being demonstrated on the DVD for the duration of one hour workout. Exercises # 1-20 were divided into 5 segments and each segment was repeated twice. Basically, all of the exercises are jumping exercises that strengthen the legs muscles and improves one’s agility and speed.

After doing the first two exercises in 5 minutes, I started to sweat! After the third jumping exercises, my sweat was already dropping on the floor. Brief rests were in-between each segment where I could drink water and wipe my sweat with a towel.

I was happy that I could cope up with the tempo and number of repetitions being done by the demonstrators, however, they have a higher vertical leap than what I was doing. I knew in due time, I will be leaping higher as I progress with this program. I was able to finish the program together with the demonstrators from start to finish. It was a better performance from my Day #1 workout.

Aside from the sweat that filled the whole area in our living room, my muscle shirt and running shorts were completely wet due to my sweat! It was a very intense and fast-moving workout with lots of jumping and body turning and twisting! The workout made my leg muscles tighter and made me walk lighter using the ball of my feet.

I really enjoyed my plyometrics workout! My Average Heart Rate was 133 bpm while my Maximum Haert Rate was 161 and I jumped a total of vertical distance of 80 meters.

Ahhh..I have to clean the living room or else my wife and kids will get angry.

The retired two-star General does the house cleaning this time!

Enjoy life and stay fit always!