After many requests from our valued readers we have decided to finally undertake a review of the Air Alert jump program. To be honest we are not big fans of Air Alert, as you will find out as you continue to read our in-depth Air Alert review.
I actually tried it back in 2003 and ended up with severe patella tendinitis and shin splints due to the high volume of exercises included. However, like all of the other jump programs we have reviewed we decided to give an honest breakdown of the pros and cons of this popular (yet super outdated) jump program.
What Is Air Alert?
Air Alert is one of the most well-known jump programs on the market. This popular program was first created in 1991 and in that decade was one of the best-selling jump programs around.
Air Alert was the very first jump program that offered a money back guarantee to its participants.
This jump program was heavily promoted through magazines and television as the solution to basketball players who wanted to learn how to dunk a basketball.
Air Alert is endorsed by two NBA players: Baron Davis and Larry Hughes.
Honestly, we find it difficult to believe that NBA players in this era would follow such outdated body weight training principles when they have access to some of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the world.
Also, the claims of guaranteed gains of 8-14 inches seem downright ludicrous considering the quality of the exercise prescription contained within Air Alert.
Other programs on the market have proven to get results like this, but they use effective science based training protocols.
Does Air Alert Really Work?
In this comprehensive Air Alert review you will learn why we believe Air Alert is greatly inferior when compared to the current leading jump programs on the market.
The training principles integrated in the Air Alert program are now super outdated.
Unfortunately, even though several versions have been released (Air Alert 2, Air Alert 3, Air Alert 4) the creator of the program has not sufficiently re-invested in the development of the content over the years.
The program has not kept up to date with the latest in exercise science jump training principles, thus rendering it archaic.
Not only are the training principles relatively ineffective but they may also leave participants susceptible to over-training related injuries.
Unlike the top jump programs which are often customisable to your individual needs the Air Alert program is a one size fits all system.
This is often a recipe for disaster!
Finally A No B.S Air Alert Review
The Air Alert jump program has been overly hyped up by many television, magazine and website publishers who are obviously solely focused on promoting the product for financial gains.
Therefore, we hope you find this no B.S Air Alert review a "breath of fresh air" and hopefully it can help you on your journey to mastering the art of vertical jumping.
The Evolution Of Air Alert
Air Alert was developed by Timur Tukel.
He devised the concept "habitual jump training" which describes the philosophy behind this retro vertical jump training program.
Unfortunately, there is nothing profound about the habitual jump training philosophy.
Basically you just jump more often.
In fact, the program consists of a very high volume of jumping exercises as you will read a little further along in our Air Alert review.
You may have already read our "Huge Guide To Jumping Higher" guide in which outlined why high volume jumping is NOT the key to vertical jump enhancement.
Sure jumping regularly will help add a couple of inches to relatively sedentary individuals. However, these are the same people who are most likely to succumb to over-training injuries.
"We hope you find our honest Air Alert review and product comparison helpful in allowing you to decide what truly is the very best jump program for you. We simply lay out the facts so you can make an educated decision"
Air Alert Review Quick Summary
Product Name:
Air Alert, Air Alert 2, Air Alert 3, Air Alert 4
Product Type:
Air Alert PDF Download
We Like
- Sorry but there is not much to like about this outdated jump program
We Don't Like
- Limited Science Based Reasoning
- Poor application of provent vertical jump training variables
- Extremely high volume of exercises are likely to lead to overtraining injuries and poor results
Rating:
1/5
The Ultimate Air Alert Review: "It Looks Like a 90's Infomercial"
The Air Alert jump program can not compare to the high quality state of the art presentation we have come to expect from other leading programs on the market.
In fact, Air Alert still feels like a tacky 90’s infomercial.
It is important not to underestimate the positive influence a well presented jump program can have on your potential success.
At the end of the day the program needs to be engaging and interesting.
If you are not excited to log in and learn everyday chances are you won't succeed.
New era jump programs such as The Jump Manual and Vert Shock do a fantastic job of presenting their content in an engaging interactive HD format that can be viewed on any device.
Unlike Air Alert these programs are fun and intuitive to participate in.
Air Alert Workout Breakdown and Analysis
The first thing we noticed during our Air Alert review was the lack of weight training included in the program.
The Air Alert program purely relies on bodyweight exercises.
Although there are bodyweight only programs that can successfully lead to significant vertical jump gains due to precise application of “shock training” (see Vert Shock review) the high volume work similar to what is prescribed in Air Alert has proven to be very ineffective by many scientific studies.
There are a total of only 6 exercises included in Air Alert.
We decided to take a closer look at each of the exercises in our Air Alert review.
Leap Ups
Leap Ups begin in a 1/4 squat position. The partipant will then jump 10-12 iches in the air without using the arms for momentum. Jumps are then repeated.
Calf Raises
Calf raises are performed by standing with the ball of the foot on step and then lowering the heel below the surface of the stair. The movement is then repeated.
Step Ups
Step ups are performed by placing one foot on the chair so that your upper leg is parallel to the floor. This leg is then used to propel you as high as possible during the jumping motion. The leg positions are switched mid air and the movement is then repeated on the other side.
Thrust Ups
This exercise is very similar to the leap up exercise. However, rather than jumping from a 1/4 squat the legs are only slightly bent with the major propulsion coming from the arms and calf muscles.
Squat Hops
Squat Hops commence in a deep squat position with the thighs parallel to the floor. The participant will then jump as high as possible and return to the deep squat only to again jump up as high as possible
Burn Outs
For this exercise the legs are kept completely straight with the hands placed to the side. Only the calves are used to generate vertical propulsions. The heels should never touch the ground.
Air Alert Workout Chart Review
Ok so this is where the crazy volume of "habitual jump training" exercise prescription is layed out.
We were quite surprised that week 1 starts with a massive total of 270 jumps per workout divided up between all of the aforementioned exercises.
During our initial Air Alert review of the first week of training we thought 270 ground contacts was a little excessive.
What we saw next absolutely SHOCKED US.
As we perused through reviewing and critiquing the periodisation of the Air Alert program we were amazed to see that by week 15 a participant will undertake a massive 2600 jumps per workout.
Yep, if you want early onset arthritis and severe chronic Achilles tendonitis Air Alert is the program for you.
This training volume is asking for trouble.
If you are after a program that is proven to be effective and safe I’d recommended checking out this list and avoiding Air Alert.
Why Doesn’t High Volume Jump Training Work?
The leading jump programs on the market are based on the latest scientific evidence which shows that the secret recipe to jumping higher is maximal effort jump training with a correctly periodised resistance training and plyometric protocol included.
In any decent program you will not find a volume of jumps prescribed any where near the amount we found in our Air Alert review.
For example the super popular Vert Shock program only prescribes a maximum of 150 jumps in the last week of the program.
Remember: Vertical jump height is determined by one's ability to produce strength and quickness in an efficient manner.
Air Alert Does Not Develop Strength:
In order to develop maximal strength, heavy load low repetition resistance exercises must be prescribed.
Although Air Alert doesn't include any specific weight lifting exercises many athletes will still gain some strength during the prescribed exercises as they must overcome gravity and their own bodyweight in order to rise up off the ground.
However by performing a huge volume of these exercises you will be primarily training for muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
With air alert you are not training for maximal explosiveness.
Basically by doing the Air Alert program you will get very good at doing 100’s of little jumps.
That’s if you don’t get injured first.
Remember specificity is the key to vertical jump success.
Choose a program that incorporates proven vertical jump training specific variables. Number 1,2 and 4 on this list do a fantastic job at this.
Air Alert Does Not Develop Quickness:
As we mentioned earlier, the two major components that must be developed during vertical jump training are strength and quickness.
You just read how Air Alert fails to develop strength.
Unfortunately the high volume of work also fails to develop quickness.
You see after doing 100’s of reps your muscles will fatigue.
You may actually make yourself slower when training like this.
To get fast you must train with explosive movements of maximal effort.
The exercises included within the Air Alert program are not so bad inherently.
It is the way they are prescribed.
Here are a couple of programs that do a better job at prescribing proven evidence based vertical jump training principles:
Jacob Hiller's Jump Manual
Adam Folker's VertShock
The Air Alert Review Verdict
We have demonstrated in this Air Alert review that the workout included in this program are inferior to all of the quality jump programs on the market.
Sure this program may have been revolutionary in the 90’s as there was no competition and exercise science in the field of vertical jump training was young.
These days we know better.
High volume exercises do not significantly improve your vertical jump. I am sure absolute beginners will add a few inches using Air Alert as any stimulus is better than none at all.
However, these novice athletes are also the most likely to succumb to early over-training injuries.
The Air Alert workout is extremely hard on the ankle, knee and hip joints.
Don’t risk injury.
