You can do a lot of plyometric exercises with just your own bodyweight. However, at some point, you are going to need a plyo box in order to progress your training. There are actually a lot more types of plyo boxes out there than you might think. Here’s what you need to know about type and size in order to get the best plyometric box for your workout.
Contents
Top 5 Best Plyometric Boxes (2024)
1. J/Fit Plyometric Jump Boxes
The plyo boxes by J/Fit come in single sizes of 12, 18, 24, and 30 inches. You can choose to buy them individually or as a plyo box set.
As far as fixed-size metal plyo jump boxes go, these ones are virtually indestructible and designed very well. The slanted sides help reduce injury and you won’t feel any wobbliness thanks to the sturdy bases and rubber stoppers.
- Stackable to save space
- Extremely sturdy and stable
- Non-slip surface
- No 16” or 20” size
- Rubber top not cushioned
- Small landing surface
Buy If: You are serious about plyos and want a professional style metal jump box set.
2. Bound 3-in-1 Wood Plyometric Box
The plyo boxes by Bound comes in four different sizes: 12x14x16, 16x18x20, 16x20x24, and 20x24x30 inches. As you’d expect from a cheap plyo box, this isn’t anything special. However, its puzzle-piece construction means it holds more weight than most other plyometric boxes and has internal bracing for added sturdiness. That’s why this wooden plyo box holds up to 400lbs where others max out around 250lbs.
- Holds up to 400lbs
- Sturdy construction
- Good price
- Requires assembly
- Nails aren’t flush with the wood
Buy If: You want a cheap plyo box that won’t break on you.
3. Garage Fit 3-in-1 Wood Plyo Box
This plyometric jump box from Garage Fitness is almost exactly the same as the one listed above. It also has a puzzle-piece construction with internal bracing for extra support. The plywood is also ¾ inch and requires some basic assembly.
The plyo jump box reviewed above holds more weight (400lbs vs. 350lbs). However, this one by Garage Fit has rounded edges. They still hurt like hell when you bang your shins on them, but not as nearly as bad as a wood box which hasn’t been smoothed out.
The plyo box sizes are: 12x14x16, 16x20x24, 18x20x24, and 20x24x30 inches, which is a bit different than the standard and gives you a pretty good range of sizes to choose from.
- Rounded corners
- Sturdy construction
- Good price
- Nice selection of sizes
- Requires assembly
- Plywood could be better quality
Buy If: You want a wooden plyo box with non-standard size options.
4. Stamina X Adjustable Plyo Box
As someone who lives in a small apartment, I really love this plyometric box. It looks like a stool (and it doubles as one when not being used for training). It easily adjusts to sizes of 12”, 16”, 20”, and 24”. Regardless of the height, the box feels very stable and sturdy. Its rubberized top even has a bit of cushioning so it isn’t so hard on your knees. No wonder this adjustable plyo box has almost only perfect reviews!
- 4 sizes on one piece of equipment
- Very sturdy and durable
- Non-slip
- Folds down for easy storage
- Rubber surface top provides some cushion
- Doubles as a stool
- 27×18” landing surface
- Only goes up to 24”
- Very heavy
- A bit pricy
Buy If: You hate wooden plyo boxes and want an adjustable metal plyo box which won’t take up too much space.
5. Fuel Performance Adjustable Plyometrics Box
Most adjustable metal plyo boxes cost a fortune. This one by Fuel Performance is quite affordable, especially considering that you are getting three sizes (14, 8, and 22 inches) in one compact piece of equipment.
The plyo jump box is definitely sturdy. It doesn’t list a weight limit, but reviewers weighing over 250lbs said they had no issues with the box.
For such an affordable plyo box, of course there are some downsides. The landing surface is small, the aesthetics aren’t great, the non-slip surface isn’t cushioned, and there is a big learning curve to go from the 18” size to the 22” size.
- Adjusts to three heights
- Very sturdy
- Good price
- Doubles as a stool
- Only adjusts to 14, 18, and 22”
- No cushioning on the top surface
- A bit annoying to put together
- Weighs a lot
- 16×16” landing surface
Buy If: You want an all-in-one metal plyo box without spending a lot of money.
What Size Plyo Box Should I Get?
Plyo boxes typically come in sizes of: 12”/ 14”/ 16”/ 18”/ 20”/ 24”/ 30”
Start with a Small Plyometric Box
While it may be tempting to get a more advanced plyo box, you should always start with a small size. You need an easier plyo box so you can learn good form. Only once your form is mastered should you progress to a larger plyometric box.
Small plyo boxes are also great for conditioning. Since they are easier to jump onto, you can workout on them for a much longer time and get that cardio burn you need.
Don’t feel bad about starting with a small jump box. The only one you are competing against is yourself!
Rx Crossfit Standard Plyo Boxes
A lot of people go for the 24” and 30” plyometric jump boxes because they fit the Crossfit RX standards. Unless you are competing professionally though, I wouldn’t worry too much about these standards.
As Ryan O’Donnell explains here, standards can be problematic because they don’t care about technique. This can be a safety and a fitness issue.
Always start with a small plyo box size that you are comfortable with. Don’t try to meet arbitrary standards!
Types of Plyo Boxes
There is actually a lot of variation in the types of plyo boxes. When choosing which plyometric box type you want, consider:
- Budget
- Space requirements
- Injury potential
- Adjustability
3-in-1 Wooden Plyo Boxes
These are the most basic plyo boxes. They are basically a rectangular box with each side measuring differently. You’ll usually find these plyo boxes in the following dimensions: 12x14x16”, 16x18x20”, and 16x20x24”.
- Cheap
- Room for growth on one box
- Easy to store
- Not very stable, especially at higher heights
- Narrow, not suitable for wide frames
- Edges of boxes HURT on your shins!
- 90 degree edges mean foot is likely to catch
Fixed Size Plyo Boxes
These are the plyo boxes that you will probably find at professional gyms. They are made out of a heavy-duty metal and have rubberized tops and bottoms to prevent slipping.
- Very stable
- Slip-proof
- Wider base good for larger frames
- Slanted sides mean less chance of foot catching
- Expensive
- Need to buy a separate box for each height
- Difficult to store
Foam Stackable Plyo Boxes
These are a newer type of plyometric boxes. They are made out of high-density foam blocks. The blocks can be stacked onto each other with Velcro straps to adjust the height. The idea is that the foam prevents shin injuries and also takes some of the impact off your joints when landing.
I personally am not a fan of these, hence why none made it to the best plyo box reviews section. While it is nice not to bang up your shins, foam plyo boxes don’t feel very stable. I like having a hard surface to land onto! The foam plyo jump boxes are also really expensive and start to wear down quickly. If you can afford to replace them, then foam plyo boxes might be worth considering.
- Easy to adjust size
- Won’t bang up shins
- Easier on joints
- Feels a wobbly and unstable
- Take up a lot of space
- Get distorted/worn down quickly
- Very pricey
All-in-One Adjustable Plyo Boxes
These are another newer invention in plyo boxes. They basically look like metal stools. Some adjust with pins that hold the legs up. Others adjust with legs that can be put into different positions. The initial price of these plyo boxes can be pretty high, but they are the most versatile and practical for the home gym.
- Adjustable height
- Take up very little space
- Easy to store
- Good stability
- Not many options to choose from
- A bit pricy
The Winner?
If you are just getting started with plyometrics, then choose a cheap wooden plyo box. The three sizes offered should be enough for you to progress with your training.
If you have a bit larger of a budget and are serious about box jump equipment, then go for the Stamina X adjustable plyo box. It is damn near perfect and barely takes up any space in your home. Until you want to clear 30”, you won’t have to buy another plyometric box again.
Last update on 2024-12-02 UTC -5 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API - Details
