Add these star jump variations for a more challenging workout
What's the story
Star jumps are an amazing way to get your heart rate up and work on your overall fitness. They are a part of many workout routines, thanks to their ability to engage multiple muscle groups at once. Adding variations to the basic star jump can make your workout more challenging and effective. Here are five star jump variations that can help you improve your fitness levels.
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Basic star jump
The basic star jump is a great way to start. Stand with feet together and arms at your sides. Jump up, spreading your legs outwards and raising your arms overhead at the same time. Land softly with knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. This move increases cardiovascular endurance and strengthens the legs, arms, and core.
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Squat star jump
The squat star jump adds an element of strength training by incorporating squats into the mix. Start in a squat position with feet shoulder-width apart. Jump explosively from the squat position into a star jump, landing back into the squat on descent. This variation targets the thighs, glutes, and calves while also boosting cardiovascular fitness.
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Cross star jump
The cross star jump adds a coordination challenge by crossing arms and legs during the jump. Start with arms extended outwards and legs together. As you jump up, cross your arms in front of you while crossing one leg over another mid-air before landing back into starting position. This variation improves coordination, balance, and agility.
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Plyometric star jump
Plyometric exercises are all about explosive movements that boost power output from muscles. For plyometric star jumps, begin as you would for a basic jump but focus on jumping higher off the ground with more forceful movements of both arms and legs simultaneously. This variation increases muscle power, explosiveness, and overall athletic performance.
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Tuck star jump
Tuck star jumps require you to bring your knees towards your chest mid-air, instead of spreading them wide like in traditional versions of this exercise. Start by standing tall with feet together before jumping up, tucking knees towards your chest at the peak height possible before landing softly back down again without losing balance or control over body positioning throughout each repetition performed consistently over time. This variation enhances core strength, flexibility, and coordination.