Building explosive power leg power: The "Bradstock" jumps squat.

[roald62]

I have been a personal trainer for over 20 years, have trained numerous Olympic Gold Medalists, World Champions and World Record Holders. I am a two time Olympian and two time World Record holder ( in the javelin throw ). I was born with spina bifida, am now 46 and am still competing. I have never had any back or knee surgery. This is the only lower body weight exercise I do.

YouTube video link:
The "Bradstock" Jump Squat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPUN1C7V3B0

I have never told any of my clients to do this exercise or shown any of my athletes what I do. I have found it is an amazinlgly effective exercise for building explosive power without bulking or tightening up?

I believe this exercise would be great for golfers, pitcher, batters - indeed anything that requires a maximum effort that starts from the lower body.

On other forums I have posted this question on I have had everything from insults hurled at me to engaging questions.

What do you think on this forum?

First of all, welcome to Discuss Fitness.

There is not doubt about the effectiveness of plyometrics which your exercise is an extreme example of this training. I recently did something similar except I held the barbell in the clean rack position and exploded upwards as one would do for a split jerk. My weight was much lower than your video but same idea.

I think there are safer weightless ways to get the same training benefit but it was fun to watch your video and to be inspired by your abilities.

Hope to see more of your posts here at Discuss Fitness.

[westside24]

I see nothing wrong with it... as long as your bacl is strong enough to support the weight crashing back down on you. but what do I know right?

Good song by the way... that Album is one of my favorite all time albums by any band or person of all time!

[TheWICKED]

plyo's in general build GREAT leg explosive power.. also.. training with BANDS on your squats or AGAINST them off hte line will greatly help leg explosiveness as well.

I've found nothing better for building massive leg power than doing LIGHT weight plyo squats...

take 135 to the floor and JUMP up out of hte hole as high as you can...