What's a good max box jump?

[S.S.]

When I searched I found a lot of threads posting some impressive box jump heights. I've been practicing these lately.

I'm wondering if maybe anyone has some standards for a beginner, intermediate, advanced, and elite max box jump from a standstill. Or maybe it is a body height to box height ratio?

[Gavin Harrison]

Louie Simmons says he's got a guy who can jump onto a 60" box.. I haven't really heard anything higher than that. Weightlifters tend to have great box jumps. I think 42 would be very good for most people. In the 30 range is pretty normal, I think, except for excessively de-conditioned people, I think.

[Anthony Bainbridge]

A good max box jump is higher than what you did last time.

[Herm Blancaflor]

Originally Posted by Anthony Bainbridge

A good max box jump is higher than what you did last time.

True

Mine is 44". My Clean & Jerk is 242 lbs (110kg). I am 5'9" and 200 lbs. I have a feeling each one of these numbers are very correlational. The higher your C&J and height is, and the lower your BW is, the higher your box jump should be.

One note on box jumps. Don't go too far past your comfortable limits. I have seen and heard of people hurting themselves falling back from the box in failed attempts: Concussion, bruised tailbones, and broken wrists. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!

[Brian Degenaro]

I'd think vertical jump would be a better standard and safer. Or even better a standing box jump landing straight-legged or near straight-legged. That's a better indicator of actual jumping ability. You know what I mean? My best box jump was like 50" and landing on a box straight-legged, no arm swing is 31".

[S.S.]

Originally Posted by Brian Degenaro

I'd think vertical jump would be a better standard and safer. Or even better a standing box jump landing straight-legged or near straight-legged. That's a better indicator of actual jumping ability. You know what I mean? My best box jump was like 50" and landing on a box straight-legged, no arm swing is 31".

Interesting suggestion. Maybe the max height box jump is a bit of a hazard but isn't it a better indicator of flexibility and balance than the straight-legged box jump? Assuming jumping ability isn't the only thing I want to test, that is.

[Brian Degenaro]

Box jumping for height is more of a gimmick, a party trick. You only really do it to have a contest with friends. It does require some coordination and timing but no significant athletic ability.

[S.S.]

Originally Posted by Brian Degenaro

Box jumping for height is more of a gimmick, a party trick. You only really do it to have a contest with friends. It does require some coordination and timing but no significant athletic ability.

Really? Would you say instead that a standard vertical jump test (a la pro football/basketball) is a better indicator of athletic ability? I don't know much about the two but it seems like your vert and your max box jump would test nearly the same physical components.

[Ron Horn]

Originally Posted by Brian Degenaro

I'd think vertical jump would be a better standard and safer. Or even better a standing box jump landing straight-legged or near straight-legged. That's a better indicator of actual jumping ability. You know what I mean? My best box jump was like 50" and landing on a box straight-legged, no arm swing is 31".

I think that box jump vs. vertical jump are just two different exercises/tests. Both are valid for their own purposes...just as specific sports use their own measurements (volleyball, for example measures an athletes "attack jump"). I'll link you to Jon Gilson's AgainFaster.com (WFS) video about why box jumps are useful. I'll spoil the fun (for those unable to watch it) by telling you it's because box jumps measure an athletes capability to both explosively open AND close the hip.

Back to the original subject: My best box jump is 52" at 6'3" and 185 lbs. I'm interested in hearing some other peoples PR's for comparison and goal setting.

Better than last attempt definitely qualifies as good.

[Anthony Bainbridge]

Originally Posted by Shane Skowron

Really? Would you say instead that a standard vertical jump test (a la pro football/basketball) is a better indicator of athletic ability? I don't know much about the two but it seems like your vert and your max box jump would test nearly the same physical components.

Vertical is going to be a better indicator of power.

Box jump is going to be a combination of height, power, and hip flexion.

Edit: I think my best is 51 or 52 @ 5'7.