Jumping Jack

Jumping Jack

A Jumping Jack, or side straddle hop as it is called in the United States military (also commonly known as a star jump, especially to children of Commonwealth nations), is a physical exercise performed by jumping to a position with the legs spread wide and the hands touching overhead and then returning to a position with the feet together and the arms at the sides.

More intensive versions include bending down and touching the floor in between each jump.

This exercise is not, however, suitable for an intense training circuit in which muscular endurance is wished to be built up.

A similar exercise, as coined by actor Jason David Frank, is called half-jacks. They are just like regular jumping jacks, but the arms go halfway above the head instead of all the way above the head. The arms also hit the sides to help tighten them up.

While fitness expert Jack LaLanne does not take credit for inventing the jumping jack exercise or its name, he does take credit for having popularized it as part of the exercise routine he promoted on decades of television programs.


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  • Jumping Jack — Desarrolladora(s) Albert Ball Distribuidora(s) Imagine Software Plataforma(s) Sinclair ZX Spectrum Fecha(s) de lanzamiento …   Wikipedia Español

  • Jumping jack — Jump ing jack 1. A toy figure of a man, jointed and made to jump or dance by means of strings or sticks attached to it. [1913 Webster] 2. A calisthenic exercise in which a person starts in a standing position with both feet together and with the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • jumping jack — n AmE a jump that is done from a standing position with your arms and legs pointing out to the side …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • jumping jack — noun count a jump done for exercise in which you spread your legs and point your hands straight up, then bring your legs together and let your hands fall …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • jumping jack — n. 1. a child s toy consisting of a little jointed figure made to jump or dance by pulling a string or pushing an attached stick 2. a form of exercise in which one jumps from a standing position, with the feet together and the arms at the sides,… …   English World dictionary

  • Jumping jack (disambiguation) — Jumping jack may refer to: * Jumping Jack, a physical exercise * Jumping jack (toy), a toy with an attached string * Jumping Jack (game), a computer game * Jumping jack, a type of trench compactor * Jumping Jack fireworks, a firecracker which… …   Wikipedia

  • Jumping Jack (game) — Jumping Jack is a platform game created by Universal for arcades. The ZX Spectrum 16K version features a daring explorer named Jack who jumps up through the holes, avoiding large monsters. Each monster kicks him and he can fall down through the… …   Wikipedia

  • Jumping jack (toy) — The jumping jack is a toy whose origins date back thousands of years. The jointed jumping jack figure is a cross between a puppet and a paper doll. The figures are generally made from wood. Their limbs are jointed and tied to a pull string. When… …   Wikipedia

  • jumping jack — noun Date: 1883 1. a toy figure of a man jointed and made to jump or dance by means of strings or a sliding stick 2. a conditioning exercise performed from a standing position by jumping to a position with legs spread and arms raised and then to… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • jumping jack — 1. a toy consisting of a jointed figure that is made to jump, move, or dance by pulling a string or stick attached to it. 2. a conditioning exercise performed by starting from a standing position with legs together and arms resting at the sides… …   Universalium

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