Is it possible to lose inches on my vertical during a program?

Occasionally I get emails from folks who are starting to train and after a rigorous day of training they find their vertical to be slightly lower the next day. This is perfectly normal and is part of the cycle of breaking down and building up muscles.

When you properly train for strength not only are you fatiguing the muscle but you are also creating micro tears within the muscle. The micro sized tears temporarily weaken the muscle but IF you give a proper recovery phase and proper nutrition withing 24 – 72 hours (typically) your muscles will be stronger! The amount of time required to recover can vary from person to person and it can even take up to 7 days to recover.

This is why I emphasize proper recovery and nutrition; this is when the actual muscle building process takes place! Without a proper recovery, you will simply break down over and over your muscles without proper build up of additional power. You must have a recovery phase.

It is better to have an exaggerated recovery phase than risk injury.

The best way to know whether you are in need of recovery is by monitoring your own performance. If you are constantly getting stronger in the gym, and performing at higher levels, than your recovery is adequate. if you find you are not as strong in the gym, not as motivated, and not performing to your par, then you need to consider your recovery.

This is also why I emphasize monitoring your vertical on a daily basis.

This article is dealing with muscular recovery and not central nervous system fatigue and recovery. I will soon post an article about this type of fatigue and recovery strategy.

Category: how to jump higher
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