Lots of people are interested in using plyometrics to increase their performance and fitness, but unfortunately, many of them quite literally come across stumbling blocks! That is to say, they end up buying plyometrics boxes that are inadequate, slippery and often quite dangerous. This article was created to help you find the right plyometrics boxes, whether you’re an athlete, coach, gym owner or just a fitness enthusiast.

Plyometrics boxes have to be built to be incredibly solid. They will have people – including some pretty big, heavy people – jumping on and off of them again and again, day-after-day. No wooden-framed structure or piece of plastic I have seen will hold up to this sort of punishment. When buying plyometrics boxes, look for something made of welded steel. The best plyometrics boxes we’ve found even have chip-resistant paint, so that after years of use, not only are they still in working order, they still look like they did the day you unpacked them.

Another danger is that the surface that people jump onto is not designed to have a good grip. Imagine jumping forcefully onto a small square of slick, shiny plastic; sooner or later someone is gonna slip off it and, if you’re working out at home, you’re risking pretty serious injury, and if you’re a gym owner, you’re risking an equally serious lawsuit and an irredemable stain on your gym’s reputation. Don’t be stupid – buy plyometrics boxes that have a grip surface with something like deeply ridged rubber. This way, you can be sure you’ll ‘stick’ the landing every time, and you’ll never have to worry about the box wobbling or slipping under your feet.

Anyone who’s serious about fitness and performance knows that it’s always worth investing in high-quality exercise equipment. Proper equipment should last a lifetime, whereas when you buy cheap equipment, thinking you’re being clever by saving money, you’re only gonna find yourself having to reach into your pockets again three years later when it breaks. Do what the pros do and buy quality the first time.

The type of plyometrics boxes that meet these criteria, not too surprisingly, are the same sort I’ve seen in nearly every gym I’ve been in. Gym owners around the world know to buy quality. Luckily, there are a few places online that sell plyometrics boxes that are up to standards. I have listed these below for your convenience.

Plyometrics Boxes by Ader Sporting Goods

The plyometrics boxes made by Ader Sporting Goods are what I see in most of the gyms I’ve visited around the world, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. They have solid welded steel frames and an especially good non-slip surface with deeply ridged rubber. I am able to endorse these boxes, and I’d especially recommend them if you’re a gym owner, and you’re looking for something that will stand up to being used many times a day.

Plyometrics Boxes by Champion Sports

The Champion Sports boxes are similar in design and materials to the Ader Sporting Goods boxes, with welded steel frames and rubber surfaces. However, the steel is not quite as thick and the rubber does not grip quite as well. On the plus side, they do offer free shipping. The set they sell consists of five boxes: 6 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches, 24 inches, and 30 inches.

Plyometrics Boxes by Steel Works Fitness

Steel Works Fitness make boxes with the same tapered welded iron frame design as Champion Sports and Ader Sporting Goods. They sell a set of three boxes: 12 inches, 18 inches and 24 inches. This costs about $30 more than the same set from Ader Sporting Goods.

Plyometrics Boxes by Upper Limit

Upper Limit sell wooden plyometrics boxes. These are bulkier than the steel frame kind, which makes them less convenient to move around your gym. Trust me, this gets annoying after a while, as you want boxes that you can move, rearrange and stack away frequently. On the plus side, they are very solid and very stable. They sell a 20 inch box for $119 and a 10 inch box for $99, which seems a bit expensive to me.

Plyometrics Boxes by Muscle Driver

Muscle Driver’s boxes have that same tapered steel frame design as Ader Sporting Goods. However, they cost about 15% more than Ader’s. Here’s the price breakdown (correct at time of writing):

6 inch box for $59.41
12 inch box for $79.42
18 inch box for $92.34
24 inch box for $111.33
30 inch box for $131.05
36 inch box for $144.13
42 inch box for $278.35

Plyometrics Boxes by TDS

TDS make good plyometric boxes. They have the same construction as Ader Sporting Goods’ boxes, but are a little cheaper. They offer the following sets -

Three boxes – 12, 18 and 24 inches – for $159.95
Four boxes – as above, plus a 30 inch box – for $259.95
Five boxes – as above, plus a 36 inch box – for $399.95
Six boxes – as above, plus a 42 inch box – for $499.95