What muscle(s) are used the most in vertical jumping?

Question

Just wondering so I can know what to work out when at the gym.

Answer 1

The joint motions in jumping are hip, knee, and ankle extension. Those movements are done by the lower back muscles, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, calves. A majority of the power in jumping is from hip extension; that's why squats are very effective. Plyometrics are effective after you have a strength base built up. There's good info on jump training here http://offto.net/jumpjump/

Answer 2

You use all of your body. Watch someone dunking and see how they uncoil. They swing there arms close to there body they swing there legs forward like a Knee Tuck or back like butt kicks. Your head shoulders are also involved. Jumping is a very explosive move that requieres alot of power. All over the body. Think like a spring!

Answer 3

Mainly your calves and quads.  

But working those out at the gym won't necessarily increase your vertical.  Jumping requires and explosive muscle contraction.  The faster and stronger your muscles can contract, the higher you can jump.  Working out will make your muscles stronger, but they will be stronger in terms of amount of weight you can lift and the amount of time you can use them.  

To increase your vertical, look up plyometric exercises that specifically target increasing the explosive contraction.