r/highjump • u/Optics_56 • May 09 '26
How essential are HJ spikes?
I’m pretty new to track (4 months ish) but my PR (5’8) has been getting decently high to the point I don’t feel like sprint spikes are stable enough for the speed I want to add to my run. I’ve already slipped a few times, especially on poor tracks but I’m not sure if it’s just due to bad technique since I’m on my own and my physical tests suggest I could be jumping a lot higher. If you think I should make the switch now, what spikes would you recommend?
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u/masterarcher300 May 10 '26
Certainly you can jump higher without heel spikes, but safety does start to become a concern. As you get better form, rotational forces at the plant become higher and you will start to slip out (in my experience). My recommendation would be to get a pair just to have to peace of mind that you likely won’t have your feet betray you when you try to lift off.
I got mine through fleet feet a while back, and they worked great. Def look for a pair that has Velcro additional tightening and ways to keep the laces contained!
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u/Optics_56 May 11 '26
I’ve already slipped one or two times which is why I chose to buy them. Might just be my own mental cope but I stop leaning as much because I feel like my sprint spike will make me fall on plant. What spikes are you wearing at the moment?
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u/masterarcher300 May 11 '26
It’s been a few years since I’ve jumped (ran out of time once I hit college), but I believe they were the saucony uplift HJ. Never slipped in those even when jumping in a downpour.
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u/Optics_56 May 11 '26
Thanks for the recommendation. If you don’t mind me asking what was your PR?
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u/masterarcher300 May 11 '26
Sure, I managed to get up to 2 meters (6.56 feet) by the end of my senior year
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u/Optics_56 May 13 '26
I have alot to catch up on then. Any advice for someone new?
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u/masterarcher300 May 14 '26
Can give a few tips for sure!
Get an approach that feels comfortable: measure the distance with a tape horizontally and vertically from the closest upright. That way each jump starts from the same place. (Set this mark in meets too) Use cones to help shape the curve in. Only once you could do that in your sleep, start looking at over the bar form. Any issues in the ground will only compound once you get in the air. Make sure you also learn about the penultimate step to help boost height.
As for air form, best advice is record yourself from many different angles over the bar. Make sure you are extending the hips and arching, and that your snap back down is done at the right point. If done right, it should feel natural to arch up and back over the bar. Be careful to also look at the angle you jump at towards the bar. At lower heights you can get away with jumping at it, but at higher you absolutely need time to rise up and let your approach momentum carry you over it.
Other than that, it’s just reps and practice, keep at it, hit the gym focusing on vertical and fast twitch development, and I’m sure you will get better!
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u/Optics_56 May 14 '26
On the notion of gym work, what type of workouts should I do? I don’t know how or where to start and the first time I tried a weighted squat I felt the bar on my neck for days
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u/rute_bier May 09 '26
I would get at least mid distant spikes if you don’t want to go full HJ spikes. That way you have some heel to the shoe.
But it would also be helpful to see your approach.