9 Best Plyometric Boxes (2024)

Plyometric boxes (also known as “plyo boxes” or “jump boxes”) can often make a cheap and convenient addition to any home gym, especially if you’re looking to change up your training routine and add some new fitness goals to the mix. 

However, with so many options on the market, ranging from wooden plyometric boxes to more advanced box jump equipment, it can be difficult to choose the right option for you and your fitness goals.

Fortunately, OriGym’s shortlist will discuss the best plyo box on the UK market, and provide everything you need to know to make an informed choice (including jump box prices), as well as answering any questions you might have.

Contents:

• What Is A Plyometric Box?
• The Best Plyo Boxes
• How Do I Choose The Right Plyometric Box?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Our Conclusions

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What Is A Plyometric Box? 

A plyometric box (more commonly referred to as a plyo box or a jump box) is, as you might expect, a sturdily constructed box that’s used for plyometric exercises. 

Plyometric is the more scientific name given to intense exercises that involve muscles exerting maximum force in short intervals of time, with the goal of increasing power. Perhaps the most simple example of this is jumping - as we jump, we stretch out our leg muscles, and then as we land, our muscles shorten or contract.

While you might expect these exercises to primarily, or solely, provide a tough leg session, they actually offer a full body workout, testing your biceps and triceps (particularly in exercises such as plyometric push-ups), your core muscles, and the integrity of your joints.

They can also be included as part of your flexibility training, especially as they focus predominantly on extending and contracting the leg muscles. 

But what equipment can you use to complete these exercises?

That’s where plyo boxes come in. Available in varying heights and sizes, this piece of box jump equipment provides a stable, secure platform to push your jumping to new heights, while playing a pivotal role in building muscle power.

Let’s explore some of the best options for plyo boxes, as well as what you should be looking for in an ideal plyometric platform.

The Best Plyo Boxes

#1 - Functional Fitness 3 in 1 Wooden Plyo Box

Price: £69.95

Dimensions: 20” x 24” x 30”

First on our list of the best plyometric jump boxes is this offering from Functional Fitness. Standing at an impressive 30” tall on its longest side, this wood plyo box (UK) offers a significant challenge to even the most spring-legged fitness enthusiasts.

The sturdy plyo jump box uses “robust, 18mm plywood, specifically selected for its hardwearing nature”, ensuring a durable construction, and one that can withstand any amount of exercise.

This wood plyo box kit is also incredibly convenient, with a speedy build time after arriving flat pack, ensuring you can jump straight into your next home workout.

What really sets this wood plyometric box apart from the competition, though, is its versatility - with three different heights, its versatility means it can continue to challenge you as you progress, and stay with you on your fitness journey.

Not to mention the incredibly low price tag of this cheap plyo box. Its affordability, combined with its adaptability, ensures that Functional Fitness’ plyo box (UK) offering is comfortably among the best.

#2 - Escape Fitness’ Multiplyo

Price: £636

Dimensions: 20” x 24” x 30”

Looking for a premium quality plyometric platform? How about one that offers multiple heights, challenging you as you smash past each milestone? The Multiplyo from Escape Fitness ticks both those boxes and many more when it comes to high-end plyo boxes.

With a superb build quality, this luxury fitness jump box is an exact replica of those used in the ever-popular CrossFit, ensuring you can emulate the high intensity workouts at home with your own CrossFit plyo box. 

It comes with “anti-slip landing zones” on each of the six sides, guaranteeing a smooth landing and zero movement after you’ve jumped on, and reducing the strain you’ll be putting on your ligaments and joints. 

The bespoke foam core cushions your feet as they hit the surface of this soft plyo box, ensuring minimal impact to your feet, especially when coupled with a pair of comfortable trainers.

While this is one of the more expensive options on our list of the best plyo boxes, jump box prices can often be quite steep in general, as it is a piece of equipment that’s not often seen outside of a gym environment.

However, we feel that it justifies that price tag by bringing gym-quality equipment (in this case, a CrossFit plyo box) to the comfort of your own home.

#3 - The Big Jim Box

Price: £105

Dimensions: 16” x 21” x 27”

Wooden jump boxes can often be a daunting prospect, especially in terms of price and build quality. 

However, this superb plyo box in the UK combines all-British, premium materials with convenient handholds, and thoroughly sealed edges to ensure it can handle any exercises you can throw at it, whether you’re enjoying the benefits of calisthenics, or testing out some plyometric movements.

Made from “Grade BB birch plywood”, The Big Jim Box’s sturdy frame ensures you can really challenge yourself. And at 27” on its longest side, this wood plyometric box proves a test for even the most confident of plyometric pros! 

It doesn’t have to be, though.

While not an adjustable plyo box, the Big Jim does have sides that can accommodate different fitness levels, with a modest 16” side that could be ideal for those who are just beginning their plyometric journey, but that still want to test themselves.

Not to mention that this wood plyo box is available in bespoke sizes, ensuring that you can find the best plyo box (UK) for your fitness needs, and whatever you want to achieve. 

#4 - Domyos Plyometrics Box

Price: £59.99

Dimensions: 16” x 20” x 24”

Decathlon are a well-recognised name in the exercise industry, and their signature 3 height plyo box (UK) encapsulates everything that makes them a mainstay in fitness.

With the lowest price tag on our list of the best plyo boxes, you might expect this cheap plyo box to offer an incomplete package, or lower quality construction. That’s simply not true of the Domyos, which utilises durable birch wood and strong adhesives to maintain its integrity, and ensure you can exercise without worry.

This plyometric box’s sides offer unmatched versatility when it comes to the level of challenge, with a height to suit almost all ability levels, ranging from 16” (for those just starting out) to 24” (providing a real challenge, even to those who are accustomed to the unique difficulties of plyometric boxes).

Made specifically to be used in cross training, the Domyos plyo box (UK) is comfortably among the best jump boxes available, and for such a low price tag, it’s an ideal budget-friendly option.

#5 - Power Guidance Soft Plyometric Jump Box 

Price: $63.99 (£46.07)

Dimensions: 12” x 14” x 16", 18" x 20" x 24", and 20" x 24" x 30"

Made of construction-grade plywood, this product from Power Guidance is a must-have for anyone in search of the strongest wooden plyo boxes. 

It is extremely solid and durable thanks to this, as well as the internal bracing that comes fitted with the two largest sizes. These features give the product a maximum load of 350 pounds, which is impressive compared to many other products available on the market. 

The product is available in three different sizes; 20” x 24” x 30”, 18” x 20” x 24” and 12” x 14” x 16”, which is great if you’re looking for a whole set of box jump equipment, or simply to add to your existing collection. It also ensures that you can continue to progress without having to look at another plyometric box for sale. 

Each version of this plyometric step box is incredibly fast and easy to assemble thanks to its advanced design, which includes pre-drilled holes. Not only this, but it also features rounded corners to reduce the user’s risk of injury, and is poly-coated on the exterior to protect it from damage. 

We couldn’t recommend this product enough for those looking for an exceptional wooden plyo box from a company that genuinely cares about their customers. In the unlikely event that you are unsatisfied with your purchase, Power Guidance will do their best to rectify this. 

#6 - BLK BOX 3 in 1 Soft Plyo Jump Box

Price: £253.80

Dimensions: 16” x 20” x 24”

It can often be difficult to find a premium quality soft plyo box, especially with many options on the market that lack key features, or don’t provide the protection you need to complete exercises safely.

That (amongst many others) is where BLK BOX excels, and no more so than with their flagship soft plyo box.

Designed with longevity in mind, this foam plyo box’s construction is what really sets it apart from the competition, and justifies its price tag. With “textured PVC leather for increased grip”, and reinforced stitching to prevent rips and tears, as well as all the basics you’d expect (such as anti slip coating), its build quality is truly exceptional.

The core of this soft plyo box (UK) mirrors that excellence, too, with “high density, shock absorbing compressed foam” to guarantee safe landings at every possible opportunity. 

This security and safety allows you to put together tough workouts without having to worry about your equipment letting you down, and also means you can focus on other aspects of exercise, or how to structure your schedule to ensure a thorough balance. 

#7 - Plyometric Soft Plyo Box Set

Price: £699.99

Dimensions: 3”, 8”, 12”, 18”, and 24”

Plyometric box sets can often be difficult to find, and in particular those that can truly take you from zero experience in plyo exercises to a master of all things plyometric.

That’s where our pick of the best plyometric box sets comes in - they offer an entire set that ranges from an ideal-for-beginners 3” to the middle ground of a 12 inch plyo box, right up to a colossal 24” foam plyo box.

We R Sports have put together a complete collection of their signature soft plyo boxes, incorporating the elements that make these plyometric platforms excellent (such as highly durable foam at their core, and heavy-duty vinyl coverings) into one comprehensive set of plyometric step boxes. 

And while the price tag may seem a little steep, it’s important to remember that this plyometric platform box set gives you everything you’ll ever need to successfully progress through all the stages of plyometric exercises.

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#8 - Primal Strength Covered Wooden Plyo Box

Price: £199.99

Dimensions: 20” x 24” x 30”

Offering a blend between a more rugged wooden plyo box, and the coverings of a foam plyo box, Primal Strength’s offering combines the benefits of the two into one structurally solid piece of kit.

With a “dense foam inner layer”, the 20-24-30 plyo box provides a cushioned landing while still maintaining the rigidity and sturdiness that we would expect from a high quality wooden plyo box.

At just shy of £200, it is a little more expensive than other entries on our list of the best plyometric boxes on the market, but it does a lot to warrant that extra cost - using only the highest quality PU canvas that can withstand repeated pressure and jumps, as well as a thick layer of shock absorbing form, it’s construction quality is excellent.

And with a selection of heights (ranging from a 20” plyo box to a huge 30”), there’s plenty of scope for serious progression, testing your limits and helping you achieve your desired results from plyometric exercise, whether that’s muscle gain or burning calories.

#9 - Rogue Foam Plyo Box

Price: €338.80 (approximately £292.13)

Dimensions: 20” x 24” x 30”

Last but by no means least on our selection of the best plyo boxes is Rogue’s flagship fitness jump box. Their 3-in-1 plyo box is imported directly from the US, and makes use of superb quality materials in its construction.

With an “ultra-dense” foam core, this soft plyo box provides a cushioned landing for any and all plyometric movements. Coupled with the reinforcing foam on each side, this plyometric jump box prioritises your safety, but doesn’t compromise on intensity.

The dimensions are somewhat standard for a plyometric platform box - adjustable to 20”, 24” or 30” by simply placing it on a different side - but there’s a good reason for this. These heights are optimal levels of progression, and offer the greatest challenge when using your plyo box to build muscle.

These softer sides also mitigate some of the risks associated with plyo box jumping, such as scraped shins, bumped knees or much worse (injuries to the ACL or other ligaments, for instance). 

Rogue’s offering presents not only a huge challenge to even the most experienced plyometric enthusiast, but the focus upon safety makes this a sensible choice for beginner plyo boxes.

How To Choose The Right Plyometric Box

Now that we’ve explored the best options for box jump equipment (UK) and plyometric platforms, it’s important to work out exactly what’s right for you, taking into account your fitness levels, your goals, and how much experience you have with plyo exercises.

With the choices we’ve looked at, there’s options available at a range of different heights, as well as adjustable plyo boxes if you’re a little unsure, or want to set yourself up for future progression.

However, in terms of more specific advice, we would always recommend opting for one that offers several different heights (such as a 3-in-1 plyo box), as this not only allows you to gauge your current levels, but it’ll also give you a goal to aim for, especially if you choose a plyo box that goes up in significant but manageable increments (e.g. a 20-24-30 plyo box).

Or alternatively, you could opt for one of the plyometric box sets that we’ve just explored, as these will often provide a much smaller lateral plyo box that can provide you with a baseline of how to get started.

Ultimately, though, it’s about understanding your body and your fitness levels - with plyometric boxes, it can be easy to get discouraged or demotivated, especially if you purchase a plyo box that’s simply too high, or that you feel is unattainable.

Start small, and build yourself up incrementally, as this will not only help with your confidence, but it’ll also mean you’re building muscle at every stage of your fitness journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Use A Plyo Box?

So, you’ve got your ideal plyo jump box. Perhaps you’ve gone for a rugged wooden jump box. Or maybe you’ve opted for a foam plyo box and are looking to prioritise a softer landing. Either way, you’ve got an excellent piece of exercise equipment.

But one question remains - just how do you use a plyo box?

You might already be familiar with some of the more basic plyometric exercises, but we’ll outline a few others that can revolutionise how you use your plyometric step box.

Just bought your first plyo box? Here are a few that are ideal for beginners:

• Plyo Box Step Ups: Standing in front of your box, extend your leg and place your foot on top of your box. Then, bring your standing leg up to the top of the box and stand.
• Plyo Box Jumps: Facing the lateral plyo box, squat down in front of the box, and then jump up by fully extending your legs, landing on top of the box. You can then hop down and repeat.
• Incline Push-Ups: Similar to a normal push up, but using your plyometric jump box as a base. Place your hands on the top of your plyo box, and then stretch your legs back before performing a push-up motion.
• Incline Mountain Climbers: In a similar way to the plyo box push-ups we’ve just looked at, place your hands on top of your box, and then extend your legs. Then, bring one knee up to your chest before bringing it back down and then doing the same with the opposite leg.

For those who have previously owned a plyo box, or those that are confident with plyometric exercises, here are a few others that can really stretch and strengthen your muscles when you’re building a plyo box home workout routine:

• Single Leg Plyo Box Jumps: An adapted version of a more traditional plyometric box jump, but only using one leg to perform both the jump and landing.
• Burpee Plyo Box Jumps: Start by performing a burpee, before jumping onto your plyo box as normal.
• Lateral Plyo Box Jumps: Again, this is an adaptation of the more typical form of plyo box jumping, except you’ll jump sideways onto your box as opposed to straight on.

It’s also important to experiment; find the exercises that work best for you, and augment them in different ways. For instance, if you particularly enjoy plyometric box jumps, but are finding them too easy (even after you’ve altered your adjustable plyo box), you could add in kettlebells or body-mounted weights.

What Muscle Groups Does A Plyo Box Work?

Now, given the emphasis that a plyometric platform box places upon jumping and leg exercises, you might expect the leg muscles to be the only group that these exercises work.

Fortunately, that isn’t true, as plyo box exercises not only provide a strenuous leg workout, but they’re an excellent way to work the arms and abdominal muscles, too.

We’ve outlined a full list of the muscle groups that lateral plyometric box exercises work below, with the muscle groups you’ll be using most highlighted in bold:

• Hamstrings
• Quads
• Calves
• Glutes
• Core
• Hip Flexors
• Biceps
• Triceps
• Deltoids

Combining plyometric jump box exercises with an intense arm workout will ensure you start to see results as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What Are The Risks Of Using A Plyo Box?

Sadly, as with any and all forms of exercise, there’s an inherent danger of injury when performing exercises using your plyometric platform. Of course, these risks can be mitigated, but it’s important to be aware of them.

#1 - Shin and Toe Injuries

As we’ve previously touched upon, one of the main risks that come with plyo box jumping is not quite jumping high enough, and catching your shins or toes on the edge of the box. 

While this may seem inconsequential, repeatedly doing this could cause damage to your toes or feet, meaning that landing may be more difficult or painful. It could also cause bruising or soreness around your shins or, in the worst case scenario, minor fractures.

This can, of course, be easily avoided by finding the right height of plyometric box for you - our comprehensive list not only provides options that range in size from 12 inch plyo boxes, to an 18” plyo box, all the way up to a massive 30”, but there are also adjustable plyometric boxes, meaning you’ll be able to progress consistently and effectively.

#2 - Difficult Landings

The second, and arguably more pressing, concern with plyo box exercises is the landing. Now, while many of the options we’ve looked at will be cushioned, stress-absorbing foam plyo boxes - some are not and can have hard surfaces, and it’s important to find solutions for wooden plyo boxes, or those that don’t offer the same level of comfort and protection.

Landing awkwardly on any plyo box, cushioned or not, can cause serious injury, and ones that can often mean you’re unable to perform at your optimal level for a long period of time. 

A good idea is to couple your plyo box with a pair of sturdy weightlifting shoes - not only will these often have protective soles and sturdy construction, they’ll also have an excellent grip level, ensuring you can land safely and without stumbling.

#3 - Risks Overtraining

One of the less discussed, but no less important, risks of plyo box training is the danger of overtraining or exhaustion.This is a risk that can be associated with any form of exercise, and especially those that are as intensive or physically demanding as plyometric exercises can be. 

Overtraining doesn’t just have short-term impacts - it can reduce your effectiveness over time, and you can often find it difficult to complete even day-to-day activities, such as walking up the stairs or carrying the shopping.

Of course, there are ways to mitigate against, and even stop, overtraining. Having a good grasp of the importance of rest days is crucial, as well as understanding your own limits, and your current fitness levels.

It’s always important to take it slowly, and never exercise beyond your means. Rushing into any exercise can carry risks, and overdoing will often only result in injury, disappointment and demotivation.

Before You Go!

Here at OriGym, our passion is - and always has been - making fitness accessible for everyone, and our guide to the best plyo boxes aimed to do just that. 

The versatile piece of equipment is a mainstay in any good home gym, and whether you’ve opted for a cheap plyo box set, or stretched the budget and gone for a premium quality adjustable plyometric jump box, we know you’ll be able to achieve your goals.

And once you’ve excelled in exercise, then a fitness career is the next logical step. And with OriGym’s L3 PT Diploma, that move has never been easier.

We offer unparalleled support, guaranteed post-course interviews, as well as 7-days-a-week advice and guidance from industry experts, all for the lowest price amongst our closest competitors.

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