The 10 Best Jump Trainers

Editor's Notes

July 24, 2020:

The term jump trainer is rather broad and, in truth, anything that helps you increase your vertical or forward leap can be considered a jump trainer. Because of that, we have included a variety of equipment types here.

The Mass Suit Elite and Sunsign Speed and Agility are ideal for anyone looking to increase explosive strength in both their upper and lower body. The former attaches at the wrists, ankles, and the backs of the knees, while the latter attaches at just the wrists and ankles. This means the Mass Suit Elite offers a bit more versatility and will be more effective for various training goals. That being said, it is considerably more expensive, so if you are on a tight budget you may be better served with the Sunsign Speed and Agility.

As with the two above, the Xceler8 Athletics Dynamix, Innstar Leg Strength Set, Power Systems Pro Power, and Toco Freido Booty Band all rely on resistance bands to help you strengthen your muscles. The main difference with the two previously mentioned options is that these are only suitable for lower body training. Of these, the Xceler8 Athletics Dynamix represents the best value. It comes with four sets of resistance bands, allowing you to make using it progressively harder as your fitness level increases, without having to make any additional purchases. This model also attaches at the thighs instead of the waist, which some might find more comfortable. Another one that stands apart from the resistance-band based options is the Power Systems Pro Power. This one integrates a large jumping platform, so there is no chance of the bands chaffing the backs of your legs, and attaches to a shoulder harness, so there is no potential for it to slip down like with waist straps.

Plyo boxes like the Titan Fitness Foam Plyometric Box, Titan Fitness X Adjustable Plyo Box, and J/fit Plyometric 10-0190 can be found in pretty much every Crossfit facility, and most gyms too. Our favorite is the Titan Fitness Foam Plyometric Box because its soft design is more forgiving if you miss the platform and whack your shins against it when jumping. That being said, it offers one less height option than either the Titan Fitness X Adjustable Plyo Box or J/fit Plyometric 10-0190, the former of which has four height settings, and the latter which comes as four separate units of varying heights.

We only recommend the Jump99 Strength Training Shoes for experienced athletes who understand how to use these this type of fitness aid. If used incorrectly, they can be prone to causing injury. On the other hand, they can greatly enhance calf muscle strength if used correctly for a long period of time.

July 13, 2019:

There isn't one sole piece of training equipment that is best for helping a person increase their vertical and horizontal leaps. In fact, the ideal method would be to use a combination of the different items available, as each one offers different benefits. That is why you'll find jump shoes, plyo boxes, and resistance bands on our list.

If you are equally focused on improving explosive strength in your upper body as in your lower body, then there is no better option that the Mass Suit Elite. It utilizes a combination of resistance bands attached to different points on your body, essentially making nearly every action, from punching to kicking to sprinting, harder. With consistent use, this translates to increased muscle mass and significantly more explosive strength. It may look a bit like you are hooking yourself up to some kind of futuristic training device and you'll probably get some strange looks in the gym, but the results are definitely worth it.

If you like the idea of resistance band training, but can't stomach the cost of our #1 choice, then consider the Toco Freido Booty Band, Sklz Hopz, Innstar Leg Strength Set, or Per4m JT. These all work on a similar principal as the Mass Suit Elite, but are designed to focus solely on lower body muscles. Of these four, the Sklz Hopz is our favorite option because it has strategically-placed padding that can help prevent chafing, but the Toco Freido Booty Band wins for overall value.

Anybody who has ever spent any time in a Crossfit gym will not be a stranger to plyo boxes. These are great for both jump and cardio training. Since this list is all about items that can help you increase your vertical leaps, we thought it best to only include plyo boxes that allow you to challenge yourself more as your skills improve. The Titan Fitness Foam Plyometric Box has a rectangular shape that gives you three jumping heights, while the platform on the Titan Fitness X Adjustable Plyo Box can be raised or lowered as needed. Instead of being adjustable or having sides with different heights, the J/fit Plyometric Box Set comes with four units of different sizes.

The Jump99 Strength Training Shoes are slightly more controversial than the other styles of equipment on our list, but people who have used them for a long period of time swear by them, so they are worth considering. However, while some sports experts believe they can be very helpful, they also point out how important it is to use them properly to prevent causing injury or poor jumping form.