10/22/2026
Jump squats after 50? Absolutely, and here's why I keep them in my routine. Note : there are lots of variations to this. These can are what I like to call “shoot the hoops”. You can make them more plyometric, and explosive is you want. You can jump forward and back. Read on for more….. Somewhere along the way, women over 50 get told to slow down, play it safe, and stay on the ground. I disagree. After 20+ years as a personal trainer, I can tell you that moving with power is one of the best things we can do to stay strong, capable, and confident. WHY I DO JUMP SQUATS Power matters. We lose muscle power faster than we lose strength, and jumping trains the fast twitch muscle fibers that help us move quickly. Think catching yourself on a stumble, climbing stairs, or keeping up with the grandkids. Impact can be your friend. Jumping places healthy stress on your legs and hips, and bones respond to load. Strength training and impact work are a smart addition to a midlife routine. Big cardio in a short time. Your heart rate climbs fast, so you get a serious workout without spending an hour on it. Total lower body work. Quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and core all show up for this one move. Confidence you can feel. There's nothing like landing a jump and knowing you've still got it. NOT USED TO JUMPING? HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS FOR WHERE TO START Option 1: Bodyweight squats. Master a strong, controlled squat first. Sit back, keep your chest up, and push through your whole foot. Option 2: Fast squats. Squat down slowly, then stand up quickly and with power. You get the explosive feel with no air time. Option 3: Squat to heel raise. Drive up through your legs and rise onto your toes at the top. This is a gentle way to train power. Option 4: Mini hops. Squat down, then lift just your heels and toes off the ground by an inch or two. Land softly. Option 5: Squat to a chair. Use a chair or bench for control and confidence, then stand up fast. Once you feel steady, try a full jump squat. Land softly through your whole foot, with your knees tracking over your toes. Start with 3 se