Vertical Jump Test at Home
Push-Up | Sit-Up | Squat | Step | Vertical Jump | Sit & Reach
This test is designed to measure your explosive leg lower. All you need is a high wall, such as the outside of a building, and a bit of room so you can jump and land safely.
Start by standing side on to a wall and reach up as high as you can with the hand closest to the wall. Make note of how high you can reach. This is called the standing reach height. Then stand a little away from the wall, and jump high as possible using both arms and legs to assist in projecting the body upwards.
Attempt to touch the wall at the highest point of the jump. Make note of where you touched the wall at the height of the jump. Measure the distance between the standing reach height and the maximum jump height, and that is your result.
You can assist in recording your score by holding a piece of chalk in your had and using it to mark the wall. If the wall already has horizontal lines, such as a brick wall, it will be easier to mark your jump height. Have as many attempts as you need to get the best possible score. Practice your technique, as the jump height can be affected by how much you bend your knees before jumping, and the effective use of the arms.
vertical jump test against a brick wall For a demonstration, there is a video example of using the wall technique in the Vertical Jump Videos. This method uses the counter movement technique. For discussion of other ways to perform this test, see vertical jump techniques.
How did you go?
Compare your results to the table below. Remember, these scores are based on doing the tests as described, and may not be accurate if the test is modified at all. Don't worry too much about how you rate - just try and improve your own score.
| rating | males (inches) |
males (cm) |
females (inches) |
females (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| excellent | > 28 | > 70 | > 24 | > 60 |
| very good | 24 - 28 | 61-70 | 20 - 24 | 51-60 |
| above average | 20 - 24 | 51-60 | 16 - 20 | 41-50 |
| average | 16 - 20 | 41-50 | 12 - 16 | 31-40 |
| below average | 12 - 16 | 31-40 | 8 - 12 | 21-30 |
| poor | < 12 | < 30 | < 8 | < 20 |
Home Fitness Testing Manual
Download your free copy of the Home Fitness Testing Manual — a guide for you to plan, conduct, analyze and interpret fitness testing at home.
Related Pages
- See other home fitness tests
- A Home Fitness Testing Kit — the basics required for you to test yourself at home
- Procedure for Vertical Jump Testing using the Vertec® or just a wall.
- Vertical Jump Videos, which includes an example of using the wall technique.
- About vertical jump techniques
- Vertical Jump test results and World Records for the Vertical Jump
- A discussion about the various vertical jump equipment available
- Apparatus for sale in the vertical jump store
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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