In parts one and two I discussed what plyometrics are and how to add them into your lower body training program. Well this is the final part to the series and here we will talk about using plyometrics for your upper body training. It actually follows the same general rules, except that it cannot be used as often and freely as it can be for the lower body.
This will be a very short article as it just tells you how you can include plyometrics into your upper body. Eventually I will have an article that includes what exercises to use for plyometrics and how to progress to the higher level ones.
I would not advise that anyone include plyometrics into their upper body training until they have reached a 1.25x bodyweight bench press. Once they have reached that, then they will be strong enough to handle the force that is generated in the plyometrics. The upper body is a lot smaller than and not nearly as strong as the lower body, therefore the body is rarely ready to handle the force that will be placed upon it.
Exercises that are plyometric for your upper body would include: clapping pushups, bench press catches, and clapping pull-ups. Of course there are many more examples, but those are the most basic and most people are able to handle those. Once you have gotten to an amazing level of strength, you can move onto more advanced exercises.
Well that concludes part three, like I said it was a very short article, but it was giving you an idea of how plyometrics can be included into your upper body training. Eventually I will create an article that lists plyometric exercises and how they can be included into your training. I will also create a generic program down the road that utilizes both lower body and upper body plyometrics in your training. I hope that this three part series has given you a better idea of what plyometrics are and how to use them!
