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7 Best Plyo Boxes for your Plyometric Jump Workout [2024]

Best Plyo Box

 

Looking for the best plyo box for your plyometric jump workout? In this post we review 7 of the very best plyometric jump boxes available to buy in 2024 and include a buyers guide to help you decide.

Plyometric exercises are powerful, explosive exercises that are designed to improve strength, agility, and stamina. They force your muscles to work to their maximum in a short amount of time.

Plyometric jumps are some of the most recognized of these exercises thanks to their popularity in CrossFit, MMA and any sports that require explosive strength. They force the muscles to fully extend rapidly, before contracting again when the exercise is complete.

While many gyms have plyometric equipment for gymgoers, having them at home enables you to continue the workout even when you can’t get to the gym.

Below, we’ve reviewed 7 of the best plyo boxes, taking into account their durability, height options, slip-resistance, and other important factors. We’ve also included a guide to help ensure that you get the right box for your needs.

 

Best Plyo Boxes

 

1. Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box

 

Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box

 

The Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box is made from ultra-dense foam which has been covered in vinyl. The result is a soft but firm box that offers stability but protects the shins, ankles, and feet during landing and any knocks.

The Rep Fitness boxes are expensive, and you will likely need at least three to allow for progression and improvement, pushing the price higher, but they are durable, have handles to make them easier to move around. They also have Velcro flaps so they can be stacked neatly and won’t slide or fall over during use.

 

Pros

  • Heavier and more stable than other soft boxes
  • Velcro straps make them easy to stack
  • Vinyl covered foam is easier on the shins and ankles

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Will likely need two or three for progression

 

2. Yes4All Adjustable High Step Aerobic Platform

 

Yes4All Adjustable High Step Aerobic Platform

 

Strictly speaking, the Yes4All Adjustable High Step Aerobic Platform is designed for step aerobics and other aerobic exercises but it extends to 12” high, has anti-slip feet, and the layers stack securely so they won’t slide around or fall off when using them. It has a 300lbs maximum weight capacity. What’s more, the platform costs a fraction of the price of some of the dedicated plyo boxes.

The Yes4All Aerobic Platform is a good choice for with limited space and budget that want a platform or box that can be used for multiple different purposes.

 

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Multifunctional aerobic platform
  • Anti-skid feet

Cons

  • Not as high as dedicated plyo boxes

 

3. BalanceFrom 3-In-1 Foam Plyometric Box

 

BalanceFrom 3-In-1 Foam Plyometric Box

 

A 3 in 1 plyo box is a single box that offers different heights according to which way you stand the box. In the case of the BalanceFrom 3-in-1 Foam Plyometric Box, it can be stood so that it has a 20”, 24”, or 30” platform. It comes with a choice of heavy duty, which weighs 60 pounds and is less likely to shift or fall during use, as well as a standard 16 pound box, or a 16 pound box with a reinforced core.

The core of the box is made from foam and has an anti-slip cover to ensure safe exercising. It is cheaper than buying stackable boxes and is priced favorably compared to other 3-in-1 boxes, too. However, the lighter 16 pound box is not stable for big jumps and the 60 pound box is the better option.

 

Pros

  • 3 plyo box heights in one
  • Decent price for a 3-in-1 box
  • Anti-slip textured grip

Cons

  • 16 pound lightweight version may not be stable enough

 

4. JFIT Plyometric Boxes

 

JFIT Plyometric Boxes

 

JFIT Plyometric Boxes are individual boxes, so you will need multiple ones if you intend to progress to new heights over time. However, they are available as a set that includes 12”, 18”, 24”, and 30” boxes, while a smaller 6” is also available separately.

The boxes are made with a steel frame so you will feel any bangs and misses during a workout but it means that they are extremely tough and durable. The platform of each box is coated in a textured vinyl so you shouldn’t slip or slide off the box even when you’re tiring. And, the boxes are designed in such a way that they can be neatly stacked making them an ideal choice for those with a small gym or workout space.

 

Pros

  • Very sturdy construction
  • Set includes four platform heights from 12” to 30”
  • Vinyl covering provides anti-slip surface

Cons

  • Metal frames will hurt if knocked
  • Expensive to get a full set

 

5. Yes4All 3 In 1 Wooden Plyo Box

 

Yes4All 3 In 1 Wooden Plyo Box

 

Wooden plyo boxes are durable and tough. They also tend to be less expensive than other models, and the Yes4All 3-In-1 Wooden Plyo Box is one of the cheaper boxes available.

It is made from wood, is available in a variety of wood finishes, and also comes in a selection of sizes with platforms that range from 16” to 30” so are suitable for most skill levels. It also has a textured non-slip surface to prevent you sliding straight off the other side of the box and will hold a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds.

It is a sturdy box, in so far as it won’t fall apart from weight on top. However, it does have a tendency to wobble unless you nail your landing perfectly every time and while the top surface is anti-slip, the base can slide around on the floor, further making it unstable.

 

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Good looking wooden finish
  • Anti-slip top layer

Cons

  • Can wobble
  • Can slide on hard surfaces

 

6. Garage Fit Wood Plyo Box

 

Garage Fit Wood Plyo Box

 

The Garage Fit Wood Plyo Box is a 3-in-1 wooden box available in 16”/18”/20” or 20”/24”/30” sizes. It comes with a wooden finish or coated with an anti-slip surface that will prevent you sliding off. The corners of the box have been rounded, which may help prevent some injuries, but this is a wooden box so banging your shins or legs against the edges will still hurt. The box weighs 50 pounds and has a maximum load of 350 pounds.

It is a little more expensive than some other wooden plyo boxes and there have been problems with the predrilled holes not aligning properly so the box surfaces aren’t all flat when erected.

 

Pros

  • Sturdy wooden surfaces
  • Choice of sizes
  • Rounded corners

Cons

  • Wooden boxes can hurt if you miss a jump
  • More expensive than other wooden boxes

 

7. Yes4All 3 In 1 Soft Plyo Box

 

Yes4All 3 In 1 Soft Plyo Box

 

Wooden boxes are strong and will hold plenty of weight, but they can be unstable and wood hurts when you bang your shins on it. Soft boxes eliminate the cuts and bruises that wooden boxes can attract but if they’re too squishy, they’re uncomfortable to use, and their lightweight design means that they are not as stable as wood.

The Yes4All 3 In 1 Soft Plyo Box attempts to offer the best of both worlds. It has a wooden core that is coated in a soft foam and then overlayed with a textured vinyl that prevents slipping. The box comes in a choice of four sizes. While the smallest size is a decent price, the cost ramps up if you want a larger version. Also, the box is heavy for a soft box, weighing 50 pounds or more, and if you don’t land perfectly in the center of the platform, the box wobbles.

 

Pros

  • Wooden core is sturdy
  • Anti-slip vinyl coating prevents slips
  • Soft foam protects against knocks and bruises

Cons

  • Too heavy for a lightweight box
  • Unstable unless you land absolutely perfectly

 

Buyers Guide To The Best Plyo Boxes

A plyo box might look like a standard box or platform, but they aren’t all equal. To ensure you get a good-quality box that matches your workout requirements, look at the following features:

 

Material

Typically, you have a choice of wood, metal, or a foam box or platform core. Wood tends to be inexpensive but can wobble and will hurt if you don’t nail the landing. Metal is very sturdy but will also cause injuries if you get your jump wrong. Soft foam cores are easier on the body if you clip or nick them but they don’t have the same stability.

If you’re just starting out, the soft box might be your best option for an injury-free exercise, while more advanced users that do hit the landing every time can benefit from the stability of a hard wood or metal box.

 

Box Types

There are different types of box, each offering their own benefits and drawbacks.

  • Platforms – Platforms have a single height and cannot be adjusted. They usually have a frame consisting of four legs and are stable and sturdy. Some platforms can be stacked to increase height and these are the boxes you’re most likely to see in the gym. The need for multiple platforms means that the cost tends to be higher than with a 3 in 1 box.
  • 3-In-1 Boxes – Boxes can be rotated, and if the edges of the box have different sizes this means that you can turn the box over to get a different platform height. 3 in 1 boxes work on this principle. They cut costs because you won’t need to buy multiple boxes, and these are convenient for a home gym.

 

Height Range

The height of box you need depends on your own height as well as you experience level. Generally, beginners are advised to start with a 16” box. Taller users might benefit from starting with a 20” box instead. Over time, and as you master the lower heights, you can move to 24” and eventually 30” boxes.

 

Anti-Slip Surface

An anti-slip surface or textured platform surface means that you won’t slip off the top of the box when you land. Not only is this safer but it also gives you confidence so that you can put every bit of effort into your jump and not have to worry about injury.

 

Anti-Skid Feet

Similarly, anti-skid feet are beneficial on some boxes. Otherwise, when you land, it can push the box forward causing you to lose balance. This is especially a problem if you will be using the box on a hard floor like wood.

 

Verdict – Which Is The Best Plyo Box?

Plyo boxes are used in CrossFit and can be used in any aerobic exercise to build strength and stamina. The best plyo box has to be stable, offer a challenging but achievable height, and will ideally allow you to progress to higher platform levels as you continue your plyometric workouts.

The Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box is expensive, especially because you will likely need to buy three or more of the platforms, but it is soft while still being sturdy and stable. In our opinion, it’s the best plyo box on the market.

If money is an issue and you’re looking to spend less, or if you want a multi-function platform that can be used for a wide range of exercises, the Yes4All High Step Aerobic Platform ticks all the boxes.

 

Check out our other product review guides:

 

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