Measuring your jump height accurately is key for tracking your progress in vertical jump training. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use a Vertical Jump Measurement Device (Vertec)
The most precise method for measuring vertical jump height is using a Vertec device, which is a specialized piece of equipment often used in gyms or sports facilities. It has a series of adjustable vanes that can be pushed upwards when you reach them during your jump. The Vertec will show the height you reached when you jump, which gives you an accurate measurement of your vertical.
Steps:
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Stand flat-footed and reach up to the highest vane.
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Record your standing reach (this is the baseline height).
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Jump as high as you can and touch the highest vane you can reach.
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Subtract your standing reach from the maximum reach to find your jump height.
2. Using a Wall and Chalk (DIY Method)
If you don’t have access to a Vertec, you can use a wall and a piece of chalk or a marker to measure your jump height.
Steps:
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Stand next to a flat wall and mark your standing reach by stretching your arm upward as high as possible.
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Jump and mark the highest point you can reach on the wall. This can be done by either touching the wall with chalk or having someone mark the spot for you.
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Measure the difference between your standing reach mark and the jump mark to get your jump height.
3. Use a Measuring Tape or Ruler
If you don’t have a Vertec, you can also use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the jump height after you mark the highest point you reach on the wall.
Steps:
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After marking your highest point on the wall (with chalk or tape), use a tape measure to calculate the difference between the starting point (your standing reach) and the mark made during the jump.
4. The Counters for Jumping
This method is useful for measuring jump height on a lower-tech setup, like a doorway or a piece of equipment you can use to determine your jump height.
Steps:
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Record the distance of your highest mark.
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Use the height of your body to deduce how much you jumped.
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Count the degree of height jump after you have the results to estimate your jump height accurately.
5. Smartphone Apps or Wearables
Some apps and wearables now allow you to track jump height using the phone’s accelerometer or by tracking movement during the jump.
Steps:
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Use a jump measurement app like My Jump 2 (for iOS) or similar apps available for other platforms.
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The app measures jump height by calculating the time spent in the air.
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Follow the instructions provided in the app to get your jump height.
6. Use a Camera or Video
If you have access to a camera or smartphone with slow-motion features, you can record your jump and measure the peak of your jump from the footage.
Steps:
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Record your jump from the side, ensuring you get a clear view of your body during the jump.
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Watch the footage in slow motion and determine the maximum height your body reaches.
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Measure the difference between your standing height and the peak of the jump, either by estimating or using reference marks.
7. Jump Box Method (for Box Jumps)
While not strictly measuring your vertical jump, the box jump method can help gauge your explosive jump ability by estimating the height you can jump onto.
Steps:
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Find a box (or platform) of known height.
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Perform box jumps onto it and see how high you can get.
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Use the highest box you can jump onto as a relative measure of your jump height.
Tips for Accurate Measurements:
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Always warm up before testing your jump height to ensure the best performance.
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Consistency is key. Use the same technique, setup, and equipment each time to track progress accurately.
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Take multiple attempts and average your best jumps to reduce errors.
By using these methods, you can get a solid and accurate measure of your jump height and track your progress as you work on improving your vertical jump.