Seal Jacks exercise demonstration image

Video Coming Soon

We're working on adding video demonstrations for this exercise.

Seal Jacks

Beginner
Home Friendly

Bodyweight cardio exercise that modifies jumping jacks with seal-like arm claps in front of the chest, targeting full body including legs, shoulders, and core to elevate heart rate, boost coordination, and build endurance.

About Exercise

Equipment

Body Weight

Difficulty

2/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Glutes, Quads

Secondary Muscles

Shoulders, Abs, Obliques, Lower Back

Popularity Score

7

Goals

Conditioning
Endurance

Training Style

Calisthenics
HIIT
Warm-up

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Moderate

Muscle Breakdown

Glutes

8/10

Glute Max

Quads

8/10

Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis

Hamstrings

7/10

Biceps Femoris

Calves

6/10

Gastrocnemius

Shoulders

5/10

Anterior Delts, Rear Delts

Abs

5/10

Rectus Abdominis

Obliques

4/10

External Obliques

Lower Back

3/10

Erector Spinae

Programming

Typical Rep Range

20-100 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds

How to Perform

Stand with feet together and arms extended straight in front of chest, palms facing each other.

  1. Jump feet out wider than shoulders while swinging arms out to sides at shoulder height.
  2. Clap hands together in front of chest as arms return.
  3. Simultaneously jump feet back together.
  4. Repeat the jumping and clapping motion in a continuous rhythm.
  5. Land softly on balls of feet to absorb impact.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Stay light on feet
  • Keep core tight
  • Arms at shoulder height
  • Land softly
  • Coordinate jumps and claps

Breathing

Inhale as you jump out and open arms, exhale as you clap and jump in while bracing core.

Tempo

1-0-1

Range of Motion

Spread feet to slightly wider than shoulder-width; arms move from extended in front to out at shoulder level without going overhead.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid if acute knee, hip, or ankle pain exists
  • Consult doctor if pregnant or with balance issues
  • Keep knees soft to prevent locking
  • Engage core to protect back
  • Start slow if new to jumping exercises

Spotting

Not required; perform in open space away from obstacles

Common Mistakes

  • Landing heavily on heels
  • Arching lower back
  • Knees caving inward
  • Hunching shoulders
  • Inconsistent arm-leg timing

When to Avoid

  • Knee joint pain
  • Hip injuries
  • Ankle instability
  • Acute lower back issues
  • Pregnancy without clearance

Flexibility Needed

  • Basic ankle dorsiflexion for jumping
  • Shoulder horizontal abduction
  • Hip abduction range

Build Up First

  • Familiarity with jumping jacks or stepping side-to-side

Also known as

Seal Clapping Jacks, Navy Seal Jacks

Found this helpful?

Share your thoughts or help us improve this guide.

Hero Image

Master your movement.

Experience automatic exercise detection and rep counting - powered by the motion of your Apple Watch.

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking 'Accept All', you consent to our use of cookies.