Alex Ram

Jump strength training shoes can be expensive. They range in price from $89 - $149 depending on the manufacturer. So, are they really worth the money? Let's take a look.Strength shoes keep a person's heels off of the ground by using a 1.5 inch rubber platform that is placed below the balls of your feet. The rubber platform will make your calf muscles work harder whenever you perform any type of exercise. I'm not going to tell you that no one ever increases their vertical leap with strength shoes because some people do. However, any improvements they get in their vertical jump is a direct result from the exercises and drills they are performing rather than the magic of the strength shoes.Many scientific studies have been performed comparing people who use strength shoes and people who do not. The exact same training program is used for both groups of people. What these studies show is that the people who are not using strength training shoes increase their verticals at the same rate as those who are using the shoes. In some instances the people not using the shoes had a bigger increase in their vertical leap.The workout routines were provided by the shoe manufacturer. The scientific study chose 12 college track and field participants. 6 were designated to the strength shoe group and 6 were using their regular athletic shoes. The training program lasted 8 weeks and after completion the athletes improvements were evaluated. What was found was that the regular shoe group improved more than the strength shoe group in every performance area they tested!The people who were not using the strength shoes had a better improvement in the 40 yard dash, vertical jump, slow speed strength, and fast speed strength. However, there was one area in which the strength shoe group had a better improvement.....calf circumference. There were six athletes in the strength shoe group. Out of these six people, two aquired shin splints and one of them had so much pain that he was forced to drop out of the study.I'm not saying that you shouldn't use jump strength shoes. If you have had success with them then that is awesome. But I do want to make you aware of the studies that have been done if you are considering making the purchase. Strength shoes are really not necessary to increase your vertical leap. I can say this because I have never used them and I have increased my vertical jump by more than 12 inches.However, just using strength shoes alone probably won't bring you the type of gains that you are looking for. A step-by-step program will enable you to reach your goals faster. An extensive customizable vertical leap program that covers all aspects of training is needed to see REAL gains (like the 12" gain that I got).Mastering the proper jumping techniques and improving your jumping form can increase your vertical by 2-4 inches! To learn more about how to increase your vertical jump and the EXACT program I used to gain 12 inches on my vertical visit the links I have below:Learn more about how to Increase Your Vertical. Stop by Brayden Fisher's site at www.40inchvertical.net for the best exercises and workouts.