How To Build a DIY Plyo Box For Home – Garage Gym Pro

Tools & Materials Needed For A Plyo Box Build  

The list of materials you need to build your DIY plyo box is pretty short. Here's everything you'll need: 

You can choose what type of plywood you want to use. You can get by with 3/4" thick BC softwood plywood. It won't look the greatest or have the smoothest surface, but it's the cheapest.

Break out the checkbook for birch plywood if you want a smooth and attractive plyo box.

DIY Plyo Box Layout & Design Plan  

The design of your plyo box will be pretty straightforward. With a 3-in-1 plyometrics box, you will be able to adjust your box so you can jump the three different heights.

While you can design your box to be the size you want, a pretty standard size is 20" x 24" x 28," so that's the size we'll make our box. 

So that means to do 28″ box jumps, you'll just flip the box so that the longest side is vertical. To do 24″ box jumps, flip it to another side, and to do 20″ box jumps, flip it one more time. 

Keep in mind that this isn't the only way to lay out your box, so feel free to adjust your sizes if necessary. For example, beginners sometimes like to start with a 16x20x24 box.

If you feel comfortable working with plyo boxes, you can even build one with a 30-inch side.

More DIY Build Ideas - How To Make A Homemade Barbell Holder 

How To Build A 3-in-1 Plyometric Box At Home? (DIY Guide)

Now it's time to build. This isn't too difficult of a build, but be sure to block off a portion of your Saturday to get it done.

And don't think that just because this is a DIY project it won't be just as good as those Rogue jump boxes.

We aren't building a power rack (learn how to DIY power rack build). This is just a simple box. It will be able to do everything the name-brand boxes can.  

Let's get started. 

1.  Measure Your Box 

First, you have to measure and cut your plywood into the following sizes. 

You can do this with your table saw or even have them cut at Home Depot or Lowe's. You should get the first two cuts for free, and the rest of the cuts will only set you back about $.50 a piece. 

2.  Inspect Your Pieces 

Before you get out your glue and screws, you should do a preliminary assembly to make sure everything lines up correctly.

If your edges aren't flush with one another, your box will wobble, and you won't have any stability. 

Put your cut pieces together without gluing them to ensure the edges line up evenly. If they do, move on.

If they don't, sand them down or make another cut until things are flush.

3.  Put It All Together 

Now it's time to glue and screw. First, connect your pieces so that the smallest ones (the 22.5″ x 18.5″ rectangles) are encased by the other two rectangles.  

You should drill pilot holes before you start screwing things together to make things easier on you. Then, to add some reinforcement and peace of mind, add Gorilla Glue anywhere wood touches wood. 

There you have it; it's really that simple. Once the glue is dry, you are ready to start jumping. However, if you are worried about busting your shins, it is possible to add padding.

When you're at Home Depot, just grab some interlocking foam flooring recyclamat.

Use Gorilla Glue and some screws to attach it to the exterior of your box. It might still hurt a bit if you hit your shins, but it should at least keep the blood from flowing. 

Other types of plyometric boxes, like a Russian Plyo Box, are a little harder to put together, but a 3-in-1 box really is that easy. 

Related Article - DIY Plyo Box Workouts

Frequently Asked Building a Plyo Box Questions  

Can you paint a 3-in-1 plyo box?  

Once your box has been assembled, you can spray paint it. Sand it down first and spray two coats on the entire box using any color you like. You should wear a respirator during this process and ventilate the area as much as possible. 

How much does it cost to build a plyo box? 

Depending on the quality of plywood you buy and how many tools you already have, building a DIY plyo box will only set you back about $30. That's a savings of around $100 compared to buying one. 

Will a DIY plyo box last as long as the ones on the market?  

The plyo box you make should last as long as any box available on the market. As long as you use quality wood and assemble it correctly, there is no reason your box shouldn't hold up. 

What can I use instead of a plyo box?  

Plyo boxes are actually some of the easiest pieces of home gym equipment to find creative substitutes for. All you need is something sturdy to jump on, like a bench or stairs.

The hardest part is finding something high enough for you, especially if you're used to jumping on higher boxes. But something shorter than you usually use is still better than nothing. 

Related Article - Best Box Jump Alternatives