A Jumping Jack or side straddle hop in the American military 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. The term can also refer to a toy figure with jointed limbs that can be made to dance by pulling an attached string.

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

It is also commonly known as "star jumps", especially to children of commonwealth nations.

Fitness expert Jack Lalanne is the man usually credited with the invention of the Jumping Jack.

See also

• Jack McFadden, also known as Jack "Jumping Jack" McFadden, named greatest player of all time by the AAU.
• Jumping Jack (game) a computer game by Imagine of Liverpool.

Aerobic exercise