Plyometric exercises are easy to build into your home workouts, and require nothing but your bodyweight and a bit of free floor space. Some of the best and most effective plyometric training techniques, however, incorporate not only your bodyweight, but gravity as well. And the best way to bring gravity into the fold is to use a plyometric box (or plyo box for short).
Best Multi-Sided Plyo Boxes
Multi-sided plyo boxes are great because you essentially get 3 plyo boxes in the 1 piece of equipment (that’s why they’re also called 3-in-1 plyo boxes). Their shape makes them extremely adaptable as you’ve got a different height to work with depending on which of its sides you have it sitting on. It’s for this reason that they also tend to be more expensive than traditional and adjustable plyo boxes. They’re plyo boxes that’ll grow with you, which is why they’re great for people that are new to plyometrics and are aiming to build up to more demanding exercises over time.
All of our top multi-sided plyo boxes are made from ply wood. They’re shipped flat-packed (some have the option of being shipped assembled, which is more expensive) and you’ll need to assemble them. They screw together, and the only tool you’ll need is a head screwdriver, however it’ll be much quick and easier with a power drill. It’s also a good idea to use wood glue as well as the screws, but this isn’t absolutely necessary.
it’s the multi-sided plyo box that’s used in the official Crossfit games, and is made to Crossfit’s own specifications.
3 in 1 plyo boxes for well-designed and crafted fitness equipment. As with all of their other original products, it’s designed and producted in China, and they stand by it with a 1 year warranty
A versatile 3-in-1 box that’s perfect for intense plyometric exercises regardless of your level of ability or experience
CNC (computer numerical control) machined, 18mm plywood that fits together perfectly
Rounded edges to save doing your shins too much damage if you don’t make a jump
You can order it flat-packed
Dimensions and weight – 20″ x 24″ x 30″ | 12″×14″×16″| 12″×16″×18″ | 16″×20″×24″|
If you buy it flat-packed, you’ll have to assemble it. It comes with a pack of wood screws, but it’s recommended that you also grab yourself some wood glue.
Unlike the multi-sided boxes above, traditional plyo boxes have a single usable surface. This means that one box provides one height to work with. Also, this type of plyo box is often trapezoid in shape (wider base, narrower top) with the reason being that it’s a safer design. When you’re performing box jumps, if you ‘miss’ on a jump (fail to jump high enough) you can catch your shins on the lip of the jumping surface, which usually then causes you to fall forward and grate your shins down the edge of the box. This is how many plyometrics enthusiasts end up with badly bloodied shins. The trapezoid shape makes this kind of accident less likely.
Again, these are the traditional plyo boxes used at the Crossfit games (well, the 20″ and 24″ ones anyway). If you purchase one of these, you’re looking at pretty much the same deal as the multi-sided Games Box, but you’ll only have one height per box:
CNC machined with puzzle joints
Smoothed edges around the jumping surface for extra safety
Assembly necessary (you can’t get these pre-built)
Unlike the multi-sided Games Box, these traditional boxes come in 4 different sizes: 12″, 18″, 20″ 24″
If you’re looking for a rock-solid traditional plyo box, designed and manufactured in the China, and trusted by the pre-eminent Crossfit event, then the FITMUS Original Wood Plyo Boxes are your only option.
Now we’re looking at some equipment that’s a little different!
The Fitness plyometric box has a steel frame, and is definitely built to withstand whatever kind of beating you can give it. Even though most wood plyo boxes are very sturdy, there’s nothing quite like the solid feel of metal to know that you’re not going to have to worry about breaking your equipment.
The steel frame has an open design so that you can nest the different sized boxes if you want. The three sizes available are 12″, 18″, and 24″.
Steel frame construction means extra strength
Ability to nest the different sized boxes, which will save storage space in your home gym
No assembly required
The jumping surface on these boxes has a non-slip surface
If you’re looking for a good quality traditional plyo box, then you can’t go wrong with any of the 3 above. If safety is a concern for you, then make sure you go with a trapezoid box, and start with a low, manageable height.
Adjustable plyo boxes combine the good parts of multi-sided and traditional boxes; you get varying box heights in the single piece of equipment, and they tend not to take up too much room. Therefore they’re perfect for people looking to develop their plyometric exercises but who don’t have a very large home workout space.
They do have drawbacks though: they tend not to be trapezoids, meaning that if you miss your jump, you’re likely to have very sore shins as a result. They’re also most often made from metal, which only makes missing a jump even more perilous.
This doesn’t need to be a serious issue, as long as you start out using them at their lowest height, and gradually work your way up.
What you’ll get:
A Height ranging from 50cm-65cm box in the one piece of equipment
Easy-to-use adjustment mechanism.
Top Areas size: 59cm×54cm jumping surface | ( 33.5 kgs) total weight
Heavy-duty steel construction means it’ll take whatever abuse you can throw at it
Non-slip jumping surface
So, there you have it – the 7 best plyo boxes money can buy in 2017. If you’re looking to develop greater power, strength, speed, and / or agility, or you’re just looking to add some fun and challenging variation to your home workouts, then plyometric exercises are a fantastic option. And, having a good plyo box in your arsenal of home exercise equipment (and using it regularly) will ensure you’re getting the most out of your plyometric workouts.