Plyometric Box Workouts for Speed: How to Improve Your Explosiveness

Plyometric Box Workouts for Speed: How to Improve Your Explosiveness

This article outlines six plyometric box exercises, such as box leaps, depth jumps, and lateral box jumps, that can assist improve speed and explosiveness. Also, the article offers recommendations for safe and efficient plyometric box workouts, including starting with a lower box height and progressively raising it, employing appropriate form, resting in between sets, and keeping the frequency of plyometric box exercises to once or twice per week.

 

6 Plyometric Box Exercises to Boost Speed and Explosiveness

Explosive movements are a part of plyometric exercises, which can boost your speed, power, and agility. Plyometric training can be done with the use of a plyometric box, also known as a plyo box. Plyo boxes are suitable for athletes of all skill levels because they come in a variety of heights. We'll talk about plyometric box exercises that can increase your speed and explosiveness in this article.

  1. Box jumps
Box jumps are a well-known plyometric activity that can increase your speed and explosiveness. Stand in front of a plyo box with your feet shoulder-width apart to do box jumps. With both feet firmly planted on top of the box, leap onto it. Repetition should continue until the appropriate number of reps have been completed. Box leaps exercise the hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes in your lower body. Box jumps are a great exercise for athletes trying to enhance their performance since these muscles produce explosive power and speed.
  1. Single-Leg Box Jumps
Regular box jumps and single-leg box jumps are both variations of the same workout. In front of a plyo box, stand on one leg, then jump onto it while landing on the same leg. Before switching legs, jump back down to the ground and repeat for the appropriate amount of reps.
Box leaps on one leg are more difficult than box jumps on two legs because they call for more stability and balance. They also aid in enhancing one-legged speed and explosiveness, which is beneficial in sports like basketball, track & field, and soccer.
  1. Depth jumps
A more challenging plyometric exercise that can increase your speed and explosiveness is the depth jump. Stand on top of a plyo box, then step off the box and jump as high as you can to conduct depth jumps. Jump back up onto the box after carefully touching the ground.
Depth jumps are harder than standard box jumps and demand greater coordination and physical condition. They are a great exercise for athletes aiming to advance their performance because they are more effective at enhancing your speed and explosiveness.
  1. Lateral Box Jumps
Box jump variations that target the lateral muscles are called lateral box jumps. Stand next to a plyo box with your feet shoulder-width apart to perform lateral box leaps. Leap laterally onto the box, immediately spring back to the floor, and repeat on the opposite side.
Your speed and agility will increase thanks to lateral box jumps, which is beneficial for sports like basketball and tennis that call for swift lateral movements.
  1. Jumping Box Shuffles

Box shuffle leaps are a difficult plyometric workout that strengthens the muscles in your lower body and increases your agility. Stand facing a plyo box with your feet shoulder-width apart to perform box shuffle leaps. Leap ahead and to the side, putting one foot on the box as you land. Jump back down to the ground, then leap forward and to the opposite side, landing with your other foot on the box.

Box shuffle jumps are a great exercise for athletes aiming to increase their speed and agility since they call for balance, explosive power, and coordination.

  1. Tuck Jumps

Tuck jumps are a plyometric exercise that strengthens the muscles in your lower body and increases your ability to jump quickly. Stand in front of a plyo box with your feet shoulder-width apart to perform tuck jumps. In mid-air, jump as high as you can while bringing your knees up to your chest. Once you've reached the required number of reps, gently touch the ground and repeat.

The muscles that produce explosive power and speed are your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps, which are all worked out during tuck leaps. Your vertical jump will benefit you in sports like basketball and volleyball since they also aid in improving your vertical jump.

 

Guidelines for Plyometric Box Exercises

Exercises in the plyometric box are an excellent approach to increase strength, agility, and overall athleticism. However if not done correctly, these workouts can also be challenging and even dangerous. It's critical to adhere to a few rules when introducing plyometric box workouts into your training regimen to ensure safety and effectiveness. These recommendations include properly warming up, starting with a lower box height and progressively increasing it, keeping perfect technique, taking rests in between sets, and limiting the frequency of plyometric box exercises to once or twice per week.


Here are some suggestions to keep in mind so that you may get the most out of your plyometric box workouts:

  1. To lower the chance of injury, fully warm up before working out.
  2. Begin with a lesser height for the box and raise it gradually as you go.
  3. Keep your eyes aimed at the target to see where you jump.
  4. Use your arms to swing and generate momentum, so your body can follow.
  5. To prevent injuries, complete the exercises with proper form. Ensure a gentle landing on the box and a controlled jump off.

Conclusion

Exercises in the plyometric box are a great way to increase your speed and explosiveness. Develop explosive power and speed that will help you in a variety of sports and activities by including exercises like box jumps, single-leg box jumps, depth jumps, lateral box jumps, box shuffle jumps, and tuck jumps into your training regimen. To prevent injury and maximize your results, always warm up properly, use good form, and gradually increase your workout intensity.

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