Plyometrics (also known as plyos) is a type of exercise that incorporates dynamic training to improve vertical leap, speed and agility. Plyos are becoming common among athletes of all ages and on many sports teams to improve athletic performance. Of the plyometric exercises, many are done on a plyo box. Plyo boxes come in many sizes and can be used for a myriad of exercises. Plyo boxes bought in retail stores tend to cost from $60 to well over $100 for each box. Here is how to save money and build your own plyo box for cheap.
Head out to your local hardware store and buy these items:
4 – 2″x4″x8′ pine studs
1 – scrap piece of 3/4″ – 1″ plywood (scrap is cheap and you need it to be at least 2’x2′)
1 – small box of 1 1/2″ screws
1 – small bottle wood glue
Once you get home cut the pine studs into these pieces:
8 – 2′ pieces
4 – 1 ½’ pieces
4 – pieces to cross brace (I build the box and cut these later to make sure they fit.)
With 4 of the 2′ pieces make a square and wood glue them together. Then screw them together. Repeat with the other 4 pieces.
Next put the 1 ½’ pieces in each corner of one of your squares standing up. Glue and screw.
After you have screwed the vertical pieces to one square tip it on its side and slide the other square over the vertical 1 ½’ pieces and glue and screw it so it looks the same as the bottom square.
Stand the box back up on the bottom square. Now it’s time to put in the cross bracing. The easiest way to do this is to place a piece of 2×4 across the box diagonally and scribe a line, then cut it. After you cut a piece glue and screw it and move onto the next piece. Make sure that the cross bracing on facing sides are going in opposite directions.
After this the only thing left to do is to put on the top. The best way to make sure the plywood perfectly fits the box is to place the plyo box top down on the plywood and trace before you make your cut. Next glue and screw it down as you have everything else. Glue is cheap and the added glue will help the box from squeaking as much. You need to use screws instead of nails because the nails will wiggle out.
That’s all there is. You have your own cheap 18″ plyo box for less than $20. Don’t get too excited, you need to let the glue dry before you start jumping on it. You can repeat the steps and build a whole set if you like. As always, be safe and have a great workout.
