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Jump Squat

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Intermediate
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A plyometric squat variation that targets the quads, glutes, and calves to build explosive power; commonly used in HIIT and athletic conditioning.

About Exercise

Equipment

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Quads, Glutes

Secondary Muscles

Calves, Abs, Lower Back

Popularity Score

7

Goals

Power
Conditioning
Endurance

Training Style

CrossFit
Calisthenics
HIIT

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Medium

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Quads

9/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus

Calves

5/10

Gastrocnemius, Soleus

Abs

4/10

Rectus Abdominis

Lower Back

3/10

Erector Spinae

Programming

Typical Rep Range

6-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-120 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly outward, chest up, and arms by your sides.

  1. Hinge at hips and bend knees to lower into a squat.
  2. Swing arms back while descending to load the movement.
  3. Drive explosively through feet to jump as high as possible.
  4. Extend hips, knees, and ankles fully in the air.
  5. Land softly on balls of feet, absorbing impact into the next squat.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Land softly
  • Explode up
  • Knees out
  • Chest up
  • Use arms

Breathing

Inhale during the descent and exhale forcefully as you jump upward.

Tempo

1-0-0

Range of Motion

Descend until thighs are parallel to the floor; achieve full triple extension at the top.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Land on a cushioned surface if possible
  • Avoid if experiencing acute knee pain
  • Ensure proper squat mechanics before jumping

Spotting

Not recommended; perform in an open space clear of obstacles.

Common Mistakes

  • Landing with stiff legs
  • Knees caving in
  • Not squatting deep enough
  • Rounding the back

When to Avoid

  • Acute knee or ankle injuries
  • Hip or back pain
  • High-impact restrictions during pregnancy

Flexibility Needed

  • Adequate ankle dorsiflexion for squat depth
  • Hip mobility for full extension

Build Up First

  • Mastery of bodyweight squat
  • Basic coordination and balance

Also known as

Squat Jump, Plyometric Squat, Air Squat Jump, Vertical Jump Squat

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