Strength shoes are shoes that have raised platforms in their front. They are supposed to increase your calf size, strengthen the Achilles tendon, increase your fast twitch muscles, improve vertical jump by up to 5 to 10 inches and reduce your time in the 40 yard dash.
The theory is that up to 30% of your vertical jump and sprinting ability comes from your calves and forefoot, therefore any equipment that isolates these muscles while you work out will bring about greater than proportionate gains in jumping and sprinting.
What Are Jumpsoles?
Jumpsoles are a form of strength shoe that can be attached to your normal training shoes. They are preferable to non-detachable strength shoes because of their flexibility; you can use it even if your feet grow or you want to change trainers.
What Is The Proprioceptor System?
The proprioceptor system is based on training under instability. Proprioceptor plugs are screwed unto the bottom of jumpsoles to cause a "wobble effect" that can help build important "jumping" muscles in your ankle and feet that would not have been worked in a more stable environment.
When used with the Jumpsoles, they can add an extra dimension to training for jump and can even be used in rehabilitation from injuries.
Pros of Strength Shoes
1) They are great for isolating muscle and will definitely help develop your calve muscles which are notoriously difficult to work
2) They usually come with their own plyometric programs. Jumpsoles for instance come with an 8 week program that can rival some of the programs to be found in best jump training manuals around
3) When you use these strength shoes with their corresponding programs they can bring about some gains in vertical jump and raw speed
4) The proprioceptor system does bring an added advantage because of its ability to work "hard to reach" muscles that may not be worked in a regular training program
Cons of Strength Shoes
1) Some of the claims are unverifiable. It's doubtful that 30% of your leaping ability comes from your calves and it is impossible to say if it does increase fast twitch fibres any more than more traditional training methods like plyometrics
2) They are pricey and it's difficult to say if they give good value for money
3) A good Vertical Jump training program encompasses a lot of things including: strength training, rest and recovery, diet, upper body conditioning, plyometric conditioning and lots more. Strength shoes come with plyometric drills and ignores the others
4) Even in the lower body, the strength shoes focus on isolating the calves and the Achilles tendon neglecting crucial jumping muscles like the hamstring, glutes and quadriceps. These muscle groups have been proven to be crucial for jumping so you are leaving a lot of change on the table by not giving them the attention they deserve
5) There's always a risk factor with strength shoes although manufacturers do their best to decrease this with the latest scientific methods
The conclusion is that while strength shoes can bring about some improvement in vertical jump, there are much more better and cheaper ways to improve your jumping ability. There are plenty of good jump training programs out there that will give you the same gains for a lot less money.
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