I'm trying to design a box for step ups and box squats to use in my garage.
The major guidelines I'm trying to follow are:
- removable pieces (to increase/decrease height)
- interlocking pieces (no sliding around as I'm using it)
- nothing to get in my way (side braces, etc. get in the way of dumbbells)
- strong, cheap, and no ordering
The best idea I've come up with so far is to begin with a wooden block somewhere between 8" to 10" high, and to have many separate 1" pieces to add height. Each piece will have a small 1" block at the top of one end and a hole of equal size on the other end, except for the top piece which will have only the hole. The large piece I mentioned first will have only the 1" block on the top.
The small block on the top of one piece will fit into the hole on the above piece. This way each piece is identical and interchangable - except for the top and bottom pieces, nothing will slide around as I'm using the box, and it all comes together to form one solid piece.
I'm wondering three things, first of all I was thinking of making this one 18" by 18", does that seem like a good size?
Second, would a bit of rubber put on top be a good idea? Kind of like this one.
Third, has anyone else built one, and if so, how did you do it?
__________________
And major action will certainly make you feel a bit uncomfortable, which is absolutely fine. You've gotta get excited about feeling uncomfortable, you've gotta love feeling slightly uncomfortable, because you know that you're stepping outside the boundaries that you used to create.
Zach Even-Esh
I've made some huge mistakes, but they were necessary, because without them I wouldn't have learned anything.
-Dave Tate
Sometimes we tend to overcomplicate issues I had thoughts much like mathew had, but LDs idea is far better!
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
That is a really good idea, Lost Dog. Much simpler than mine, and much less work.
Sorry, one more question. What is the lowest one should go for the box squat?
Thanks to both of you for your ideas.
__________________
And major action will certainly make you feel a bit uncomfortable, which is absolutely fine. You've gotta get excited about feeling uncomfortable, you've gotta love feeling slightly uncomfortable, because you know that you're stepping outside the boundaries that you used to create.
Zach Even-Esh
I've made some huge mistakes, but they were necessary, because without them I wouldn't have learned anything.
-Dave Tate
It'd be a bit unstable with the 11" side down on the ground. It'll either by 11x16 or 11x18 depending on how you build it....
It could be 18x16x14, it dosen't have to be 11", it's going to depend on what heights you need.
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
Matt, I built one for like $60 bucks of wood. It's pretty simple and if you're good with a hammer, it'll only take an hour or two. It's actually 3 separate boxes that u can stack on top of each other to make different heights. If you're still interested, I can post how I did it and go and find out the exact measurements. Just let me know.
PS, yes put some type of covering on top. Squatting down onto nail holes and the little bit of splintering around it is not fun. I just taped cardboard on top of mine.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Ya man, if it's not too much trouble that would be great. The more ideas the better.
You don't need to take the time to go out and measure everything, just describe the box(es) as best you can. Thanks Kevin.
__________________
And major action will certainly make you feel a bit uncomfortable, which is absolutely fine. You've gotta get excited about feeling uncomfortable, you've gotta love feeling slightly uncomfortable, because you know that you're stepping outside the boundaries that you used to create.
Zach Even-Esh
I've made some huge mistakes, but they were necessary, because without them I wouldn't have learned anything.
-Dave Tate
Alright I'm going down to lift is a few minutes and while I'm down there I'll double check the overall measurements and try to give you a general idea of how I did it. I bought the cheapest pieces of 2x4 and 2x6 and a bunch of 2.5" and 3" nails and some wood glue. I had the nails and glue lying around and the wood cost me just shy of 60 bucks at home depot. A lot cheaper than that Elite FTS version, almost as versatile height wise and also bigger.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
My boxes are roughly 24" x 24" on top. There's 3 boxes: one about 10.25" tall, the second about 4.5" tall and the third 3" tall. So when it's all said and done, I have 3", 4.5", 7.5", 10.25", 13.25", 14.75" and lastly 17.75" boxes
The 10.25" box is made out of 3 layers of 2 x 6. The first layer is the 2x6 on its side. I cut out 2 pieces 24" long then 3 pieces that would run the other way, one on the end and the other in the middle. The next layer of 3 pieces goes on the top on the box. Finally to cap it off was 4 pieces of 2 x 6 running the opposite way of the second layer.
The 3" box was just 3 pieces of 2 x 6 topped by 6 pieces of 2 x 4 running the opposite way. The 4.5" box was the 3" box with another layer of 2 x 6 on the bottom.
__________________
"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
I don't know about the step up's but for box squats I just use a plain ol' 5 gallon bucket turned upside down. Works great.
Obviously wouldn't work for the step up's due to balance.
Cynic - on the aerobic steps, it looks like you're right - I never would have dreamed they cost that much. WOW.
I use them at my gym, but only because I don't feel comfortable putting my sole on a bench. Who wants to use a bench that someone's put their dirty shoe on?
The step platforms work well for unilateral work, but I doubt they could support a 175lb man deadlifting 400+lbs.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
Kevin - thanks a lot buddy, that helped a lot. My box looks pretty much like the ones in the link you posted, but with a piece of rubber mounted to the top.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
__________________
And major action will certainly make you feel a bit uncomfortable, which is absolutely fine. You've gotta get excited about feeling uncomfortable, you've gotta love feeling slightly uncomfortable, because you know that you're stepping outside the boundaries that you used to create.
Zach Even-Esh
I've made some huge mistakes, but they were necessary, because without them I wouldn't have learned anything.
-Dave Tate
'box' for step up/box squat
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