Crossfit plyo boxes may be primarily used for jumping exercises but that’s not all they are good for. In fact, these are versatile tools that can reward creative individuals by providing different challenges in a small package. It’s also better for people to work on different muscle groups and incorporate various movements in their training. Sticking to box jumps all of the time might be counterproductive as it will fatigue the leg muscles and put a lot of pressure on the knees. Developing an overuse injury is a real possibility. Below are some of the things you might do with the boxes during training:
Lateral Step-up
Box jumps always move forward which means that only one set of muscles get the benefit. However, most sports will require some lateral movement such as when volleyball blockers slide to the other side of the court to catch a spike or when a basketball player dribbles past defenders all the way to the basket. You can make your side muscles stronger and more resistant to fatigue through lateral step-ups. Step on the box sideways, pulling your body up to the top through your left or right leg. Be sure to balance the reps on both sides. There is no need to hurry. Just keep a good rhythm going. Increase the box height as you get better.
Glute Bridges
Much of the strength that propels your legs in any direction will actually come from the glutes. These are a collection of several muscles that can supercharge your performance if you take care of them. They can also be a source of grief with many injuries being traced to weak or tight glutes. Keep yours in good shape through a range of exercises including glute bridges. Normal ones are performed on flat ground but you can also place your feet on the top of a box and push from there. It can be more challenging this way. You can vary the height of the box to work on different muscles.
Pistol Squats
This is one of the best single leg exercises but it is also one of the hardest to pull off. If you can’t do one yet, then use plyo boxes to get you going. Sit on the top for your starting position and lift yourself off the box using one leg. The taller the box, the easier this is. Reduce the box height as you gain strength.
Strengthening your lower body in different ways will also help you jump higher while lowering injury risk. Unlock the versatility of Crossfit plyo boxes.