Skater Jumps

Jump sideways from one foot to the other like a speed skater. Almost all home cardio goes up and down - this one goes across, which your hips need.

Level Intermediate
Equipment None
Sets and reps 3 sets x 30 sec
Works on Legs, glutes, heart

How to do it

  1. Stand on your right leg with a soft knee.
  2. Jump sideways to the left and land on the left foot.
  3. Let the right leg swing behind the left as you land, and absorb it softly.
  4. Jump straight back the other way and keep going.

Common mistakes

  • × Landing with a straight leg - always land with the knee bent.
  • × Letting the landing knee cave inwards.
  • × Landing loudly - soft and quiet means you are absorbing it properly.
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One thing that matters

Start with small hops and no swinging leg. Add distance only once the landing feels solid.

How much

Sets and reps for Skater Jumps

Where you are Aim for
Just starting 3 sets x 20 sec, small hops
The standard 3 sets x 30 sec
Once it is easy 3 sets x 45 sec, wide jumps
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Breathing

One breath per two jumps, steady. Do not sprint the set - land under control.

Too hard, or too easy?

Where this sits

Questions

Skater Jumps, answered

What are skater jumps for?

Sideways power and single leg balance - both of which almost no other home exercise trains. Most training moves forward and back; this one moves across.

Are they hard on the knees?

The landing is what matters. Land on the middle of the foot with a soft, slightly bent knee and let the hip absorb it. Landing stiff and straight-legged is the problem.

How wide should I jump?

Start with small hops until landing on one leg feels controlled. Distance is the last thing to add, not the first.

One exercise is never the whole story

Which day to do Skater Jumps, how many sets, and what to pair it with - the AI builds the whole plan. Your first one is free.

Build My Free Plan
Full Body

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This is general information, not medical advice

Everything on this page is worked out from a formula or from published averages. It has never met you, and it cannot see your blood pressure, your medication or an old injury.

Talk to a doctor before you start if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, diabetes or high blood pressure, take regular medication, have or have had an eating disorder, are recovering from injury or surgery, or are under 18. Stop and get advice if any exercise causes pain, dizziness or chest discomfort.

More about where these numbers come from is on the about page.