You’d probably be pleased and surprised to know that many people in the gym today do, in fact, have a fear of box jumps. While it is a very common fear for beginners due to the risk of landing awkwardly or miss-stepping, it can also present mental challenges for the more experienced athletes. As a result, this creates a lot of anxiety around box jumps, leading to a mental block that prevents them from even attempting the exercise. This blog aims to help you overcome your fear of box jumps and assist you in taking the first steps to get started.

Fear of Falling

Answer - Gym Floor Mats

Soft, gym floor mats are a great option to help alleviate your fear of box jumps, especially for those who are beginners. Due to the softer landing, if a failed attempt occurs, it will lessen the risk of injury by reducing the impact on the joints. Knowing that there is a cushioned landing can already help to boost your confidence levels so that you can either attempt the jump or increase the plyo box height. Overall using a gym floor matt as a surface will provide you with a sense of security, making you feel more at ease. Cushion your gym even further by investing in some Rubber Mats for Gym

Fear of Humiliation

Answer - Practice at Home

Fear of humiliation is a very common feeling amongst gym goers, especially when attempting a box jump. So, don’t worry, you are not alone. To overcome this, practicing at home is a great starting point, it will help to eliminate any public pressure (which even  I know can be intimidating). A private setting can help you to feel more at ease due to being in your comfort zone which will allow any fear of failure or humiliation to leave your body.

Fear of Falling Against The Box

Answer - Soft Plyo Boxes

A Soft Plyo Box is a great alternative to the metal or wooden jump box; they are designed to give you extra cushioning when either jumping from or onto one. Using these are ideal if you are a beginner or if you are looking to progress onto a bigger height without the fear of falling against the box. Unlike a metal box, a soft jump box helps to reduce the impact force landing, making it much more comfortable and safer for you to use. Moreover, there is a reduced risk of injury due to the soft landing which will ultimately increase your confidence.

Poor Coordination

Answer - Start with Other Jumping Exercises

Practicing alternative jumping exercises, either with a jumping rope or agility ladder can enhance your box jumps in various different ways. The skipping rope is a super accessible, lightweight and very effective piece of equipment that will test coordination of the arms, legs and core. It will aim to improve your balance and control which is a vital component when doing the box jump. Moreover, the agility ladder can also be used to improve your ability to coordinate movements as well as becoming quicker with your steps, which will improve overall force and power. If you are someone that struggles with coordination then beginning with the skipping rope or agility ladder is a great way of improving your dynamic stability, mental focus and confidence before tackling the box jump.

Lack of Experience

Answer - Start with Box Step Ups and Downs

Performing box step ups and downs for several sessions can help to reduce the fear and build confidence for box jumps, especially for those who lack experience! It is important to build a foundation of familiarity if the box jump exercise appears to be too intimidating for you. Remember, this is perfectly normal and okay. Doing this step up and down for a few sessions will introduce you to the height of the box without the impact of the jump. This will be about helping you to get comfortable with both the size and height of the box.

Once you feel comfortable doing box step ups, gradually progress to jump-downs; this is introducing the element of descent. Whilst this will add a more dynamic element of movement, it will also help you master any fears around the landing. It is all about practicing the landing and making it effective by using your legs to absorb the impact.

Short User Height

Answer - Get a Short Plyo Box and Work From There

The shorter you are, the more intimidating a plyo box can seem. But plyo boxes come in many sizes, and using a shorter box to begin with is effective to help conquer your fears surrounding the height of a box, particularly if you are new the world of plyometrics, coming back from rehabilitation or just feel overwhelmed. Starting with a short Jump Box, will increase the likelihood of a more successful jump which in turn will boost your overall confidence hugely. Successful jumps reap a sense of accomplishment, which will therefore allow you to want to do it again. A three-in-one plyo box is a great choice as it allows you to increase the height without any excess equipment to store. This might be the one change that you will need to conquer your fear!

Conquering your fears requires a journey of patience, practice and perseverance. By implementing these strategies mentioned in this blog, the intimidation of the dreaded box jump can and will be overcome. Now, let’s embrace the challenge and this box will pave the way for boundless success.

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Tags: Equipment > Plyo Jump Boxes ; Exercise Type > Conditioning