Box Jump

Teaches rapid force production and, more importantly, how to absorb landing forces safely.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Box · Bodyweight
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Quads · Glutes · Calves
ALSO WORKS
Hamstrings · Abs
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Stand a foot back from a box you can clear comfortably.
  2. 02Dip into a quarter squat, swinging the arms back.
  3. 03Drive the floor away and swing the arms up, extending hips, knees and ankles.
  4. 04Land softly in a quarter squat with the whole foot on the box, then step down — don't jump down.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Land quiet — noise is wasted force and unabsorbed impact.
  2. 02Step down every rep to protect the achilles.
  3. 03Pick a height you can land on, not one you can barely reach.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Choosing a box so high you land in a deep tucked squat.
  2. 02Jumping down and accumulating landing damage.
  3. 03Chasing reps for conditioning instead of quality for power.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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