The 7 Best Plyo Boxes of 2021

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Plyometric exercises can play a key role in any fitness routine. If you’ve never heard the phrase “plyometric exercise” before, don’t worry—it isn't nearly as complicated as it sounds. Plyometric exercises (also called “plyometrics”) are high-impact exercises that focus on the stretch-shortening cycle (also called the “stretch reflex”) of your muscles. During the stretch part of the cycle, your muscle lengthens. And during the shortening part, it contracts. Think about what happens when you jump: Your muscles stretch as you jump and shorten as you land.

Unsurprisingly, plyometric boxes (called “plyo boxes,” for short) can be a great way to add some plyometric exercise to your routine. These sturdy boxes are great for jumping onto and off of—helping you make the most of that stretch-shortening cycle we just talked about.

Since plyo boxes come in an array of sizes and styles, you can easily find one that suits your skills and your space. And since many plyo boxes are adjustable, you can get the benefits of a few different boxes—without buying more than one.

Here are the best plyo boxes on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

BalanceFrom Foam Plyometric Box at Amazon

The classic 3-in-1 box is a versatile addition to your home gym, and its soft foam makes it beginner-friendly.

Best Budget:

Yes4All High Step Aerobic Platform at Amazon

It comes in a stackable set of five, giving you the most bang for your buck, and its wide platforms offer plenty of landing room.

Best Adjustable:

Titan Fitness Adjustable Plyometric Box at Amazon

The adjustable box boasts four different height options so you can keep your workouts varied and work your way up.

Most Durable:

Yes4All 3-in-1 Foam Plyometric Jump Box at Amazon

Its 3-in-1 design makes it easy to scale up your workouts while its high-quality foam ensures durability.

Best Non-Slip:

Ultra Fitness Gear Anti-Slip Wood 3-in-1 Plyo Box at Amazon

The box can support up to 450 pounds at a time, and it's finished with a non-slip coating that offers plenty of traction.

Best Advanced:

Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box at Amazon

Ideal if you want the option to reach extreme heights with your box jumps, it features easily stackable boxes for endless combos.

Best for Small Spaces:

JFIT Plyometric Box Set at Amazon

Stackable and easy to store without taking up too much room, each box features a textured landing pad that cuts down on slippage.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQs
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Pros

Beginner-friendly
Made of durable foam
Versatile, 3-in-1 box
Soft
Available in two weights

Cons

Bulky

The BalanceFrom Foam Plyo Box is a classic 3-in-1 box that would make a versatile addition to your home gym. Since the box is crafted from durable foam, it feels both soft and beginner-friendly. But rest assured knowing that with a weight capacity of 350 pounds, it’s still sturdy enough to withstand your toughest workouts.

The box’s surface is textured for traction, helping you stick the landing every time you jump. Start by using the box on its shortest side, and work your way up to its 30-inch maximum. Since you can adjust the height of the box simply by repositioning it, it should be easy to keep your workouts challenging and dynamic.

Height Range: 20 x 24 x 30 inches | Material: Foam | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds

Pros

Budget-friendly
Beginner-friendly
Stackable
Versatile

Cons

Lots of pieces to keep track of

The Yes4All High Step Aerobic Platform is not your average plyo box. Instead, it’s a classic aerobic step-up platform. And since it comes in a set of five, you can easily stack the platforms on top of each other to reach heights between 4 and 12 inches.

Each platform was crafted from recycled plastic, and the one designed to be used as a topper boasts a surface that’s been textured for traction. At 16x16 inches, the platforms are considerably large—giving you plenty of room to land every time you tackle a jump. So start with the 4-inch platform, and work your way up in 2-inch increments until you’ve reached the set’s 12-inch maximum.

Height Range: 4 to 12 inches | Material: Recycled plastic | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Pros

Genuinely adjustable
Small space-friendly
Built to last

Cons

Not multi-sided
Harder landing

The Titan Fitness Adjustable Plyometric Box is exactly what it sounds like: an adjustable plyo box you can use to access a more nuanced range of heights. Whereas most plyo boxes offer three different height options, this one boasts four. You can start at 12 inches and work your way up in 4-inch increments until you’ve reached the box’s 24-inch maximum height.

This adjustability is great for keeping your workouts varied—and it also makes the plyo box easy to store between workouts. The box itself is crafted from sturdy steel and powder-coated for durability. And since its large jumping platform is finished with grippy rubber, you won’t have to worry about sticking the landing.

Height Range: 12 to 24 inches | Material: Steel and rubber | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Pros

Built to last with a durable vinyl cover
Versatile, 3-in-1 design
Soft
Available in two sizes
Available in three weights

Cons

Bulky
High entry-level height

The Yes4All Foam Plyo Box is a soft foam plyo box crafted with durability in mind. The box is made from high-quality foam and finished with a durable vinyl cover. This combination promises to hold up to your toughest workouts. And even better: It’s easy to clean. The moment your plyo box becomes lined with dirt or footprints, simply grab a damp paper towel, wipe the box down, and you should be good to go.

Like many plyo boxes, this foam plyo box boasts a 3-in-1 design that makes it easy to scale up your workouts over time. Choose the smaller box to access heights between 16 and 20 inches, or opt for the larger one to work from 20 to 30 inches.

Height Range: 16 x 18 x 20 inches to 20 x 24 x 30 inches | Material: Vinyl-covered foam | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds

Ultra Fitness Gear Anti-Slip Wood 3-in-1 Plyo Box

Pros

Finished with non-slip coating
High weight capacity
Available in four sizes

Cons

Hard
Bulky

The Ultra Fitness Gear Anti-Slip Plyo Box is a sturdy plywood box with a non-slip surface and a massive weight capacity. The box is crafted from high-grade plywood. And since wood can get pretty smooth, the box is finished with a non-slip coating that offers plenty of traction.

The box is pieced together in a way that maximizes its strength and durability. In fact, it can support a training load of up to 450 pounds at a time—which is almost double what some other plyo boxes offer. Choose between one of four sizes to access a height range between 12 to 16 inches, 16 to 20 inches, 16 to 24 inches, and 20 to 30 inches. And rest assured knowing that with all that variety, you’re bound to find an option that works for you.

Height Range: 12 x 14 x 16 inches to 20 x 24 x 30 inches | Material: Plywood | Weight Capacity: 450 pounds

Pros

Made of durable high-density foam
Wide box shape provides big surface for landings
Soft
Stackable
Available in multiple heights and combinations

Cons

Hard to store in small spaces

If you want the option to reach extreme heights with your box jumps, you might want to invest in a stackable plyo box set—like the Rep Fitness Foam Soft Plyo Box set. Each box is crafted from soft foam and finished with a heavy-duty vinyl cover. To make stacking easy, the covers are lined with velcro straps.

The boxes are wide—each is 28 x 28 inches—giving you plenty of room to land. And since they’re designed with stability in mind, you can stack them high without worrying about tipping. The boxes are sold separately and in sets, so you can easily stock up on the height range that meets your needs. The individual boxes boast heights between 6 to 20 inches—and the combination options are endless.

Height Range: 6 to 20 inches a piece, but stackable | Material: Vinyl-covered foam | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds

Pros

Small space-friendly
Made of durable, heavy-duty steel
Adjustable
Available in multiple heights and combinations

Cons

Harder landing surface

The JFIT Plyometric Box is a small plyo box available in many different variations, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that suits your space. Snag an individual box with a height between 6 and 24 inches. Score an adjustable box with a height range between 12 and 20 inches or 18 and 30 inches (depending on which option you select). Or opt for a stackable set to reach heights between 12 and 24 inches or 12 and 30 inches (again, depending on which option you select).

Each box is crafted from heavy-duty steel and equipped with a textured rubber landing pad that will help you cut down on slippage. And since the boxes are stackable, they should be easy to store between uses.

Height Range: 6 to 24 inches a piece | Material: Steel and rubber | Weight Capacity: 450 pounds

Final Verdict

If you’re looking to add a plyo box to your routine, the BalanceFrom 3-in-1 Foam Plyo Box is a great starter pick. Crafted from high-quality foam, the box promises to be comfortable to jump on. And though its anti-slip surface is textured to give you plenty of grip, in the event that you do slip, you won’t have to worry about roughing up your knees too much. Plus, since the box boasts a 3-in-1 design, you’re effectively getting three plyo boxes in one.

What to Look for in a Plyo Box

Height Range

Plyo boxes are primarily designed for jumping. So you’ll want to make sure the box you select is tall enough to make your jumps challenging—but short enough to suit your skill level. When in doubt, look for a 3-in-1 box or an adjustable box. These boxes will provide you with a few different height options without forcing you to stock up on extra equipment, making it easy to find a height that works for you.

Material:

Plyo boxes are often crafted from foam, wood, or steel—three materials that offer very different tactile experiences. If you’re a beginner, you may want a softer box crafted from foam. And if you’d prefer an adjustable option, you’ll probably end up with a box made of steel.

Weight Capacity:

You’ll want to make sure the plyo box is sturdy enough to support you. After all, you’ll be jumping on and off of it a lot. So double-check the box’s training load before buying. And keep in mind any weights you plan to wear or use while jumping.

FAQs

How do I use a plyo box?

Using a plyo box is actually really simple. Just place the box on the ground, stand facing the box, and jump onto it—planting both of your feet on the box at the same time. To make sure you stick the landing, you’ll want to start with your feet planted firmly under your hips—and with your toes about 6 inches away from the box. When you land, make sure most of your weight is in the balls of your feet. And double-check that your feet are still about hip-width apart once you’re on top of the box.

Plyo boxes can be used for other exercises, too, like step-ups, Bulgarian split squats, front-foot-elevated reverse lunges, and more.

What height plyo box should I get?

To get the most out of your plyo box workouts, you’ll want a plyo box that’s tall enough to challenge you—but not too tall to jump on top of. (Remember, if you’re sacrificing your form, you probably need to scale back.) This just-right height will vary from person to person. So start with a shorter box, and look for an adjustable or 3-in-1 box you can use to try a few different heights.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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