Aerobic Step vs. Plyo Box

contingencyplan

It is common practice for people to use aerobic steps with stackable risers in lieu of plyo boxes when actual plyo boxes are unavailable. Are there any disadvantages to this? For someone doing these exercises at home, would a club-grade aerobic step be able to fully replace a plyo box?

kdiamond

I don't think so. I either use a step with risers (the 6 risers go up pretty high) or a bench to do step ups at home. I don't know if I would do box jumps on either though. The base isn't very solid and I wouldn't feel safe.

contingencyplan

Hmm, I see. Hoping for more answers though too

DavPul

Once you get those steps more than 3 deep, they get very unstable. Even if you stack them against a wall, you have protection from them going forward but can't keep them from going backwards on you. I usually just jump on an empty weight bench instead. Be nice to have something higher, but I go with safer instead.

ninerbuff

Plyo boxes are good for box jumps. You can use an aerobic step, but you better be good at landing flat. If not you could "kick" out the step from underneath you and eat it good.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

RGv2

I use a weight bench when there isn't a box avaliable. It's not the best, but it's better than stacking steps.