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Plyometric Boxes – Build a Pair for $40

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If you spend any time in a CrossFit gym, you will workout using plyometric boxes.   Since I am incorporating more plyo work into my sprint training, I decided to add a pair to my home garage.

I found a pair of boxes at Rogue Fitness – however each 20 inch box costs $85.  No THANKS!  I can build them myself.

After a quick search, I found a solid set of well written plans from the CrossFit Journal.

However you can build two boxes with a SINGLE sheet of plywood (not the suggested 1.5 sheets) using exactly the dimensions specified simply by laying out the pieces more intelligently.

Here’s what I mean.  The picture below show the 8 side pieces (for 2 plyometric boxes) laid out on a 4×8 foot piece of plywood.  What you don’t see is the 10”x8’ section of the plywood that is wasted material.  In their layout, you have to cut a second piece of plywood for the 17.5”x17.5” tops.

Plyometric Boxes

A better layout is shown below.  This lets you build both boxes using a single sheet of hardwood plywood.

Build your own Plyo Boxes

So for $40 and about an hour of work, I now have two solid plyometric boxes.

Homemade Plyometric Boxes

A few points to emphasize:

  • Definitely use hardwood ¾ inch plywood – don’t buy the cheap stuff
  • Pre-drill holes, use screws and not nails
  • Glue for greater strength.

For additional reading, check out High-Powered Plyometrics 2nd Edition (Amazon link).

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Tim Huntley

Tim Huntley is the CEO of Centervention, an edTech company that helps students in grades K-8 improve social and emotional skills.

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