USEEXPLOSIVEBOXJUMPSTOSEND
YOURSQUATSTRENGTHSOARING.Box Clever
SEPTEMBER 2019 MEN’S FITNESS 95The box jump,
like the rope
swing or tyre
flip, is an exercise not
popular with the masses.
To lug a rarely used box
from the corner of the gym
and launch yourself onto
it, repeatedly, is an act
of defiance that speaks
of a high-performance
mindset. That, or the
leg press is busy. Either
way, box jumps aren’t
just a good way to draw
attention to yourself: done
right, they activate the
nervous system for gains
in strength and size.
Performing them regularly- and even as a warm-up
before you get into your
heavy lifting – will fire up
your nervous system and
stimulate the fast-twitch
muscles neglected with
low-intensity weightlifting.
The result? You’ll be able to
lift more and will stimulate
more muscle growth.
JUMP TO IT
● Stand just in front of a
box with feet shoulder-
width apart.
● Swing arms and hinge
hips back with a tall
chest, flat back and
engaged core.
● Swing arms forward,
using momentum to
jump up and slightly
forward, landing softly
with both feet completely
on the box.
● Stand up, locking out the
knees and extending hips.
Carefully step back down
to the ground.