Step Up Height

[stank.243]

Setting up a little basement gym currently and looking into putting together a little step up box. For my height though I would only be able to go 12" for the step up and even that doesn't leave much room. Is it worth having a 12" box for step ups or better off focusing on something else with the limited height?

 

[Chopper333]

I have a short basement and only could do a 18" box. Works fine as I am a short ass with 30" inseams. I would say that 12" would be short for me but if that is all you could do, do it. When the weather is nice, I have a step-up box that I take outside and do larger step ups and jumps.

 

[Grady.J]

The folks at uphill athlete recommend a 12" box for high rep step ups, so I'd go for it, then do other exercises for a deeper range of motion.

 

[V2Pnutrition]

It's going to be largely based on your height/step/leg length.

At 5'6", an 18" box would be dramatically different (not necessarily better) than a guy who is 6'9".
I have a ~14" box I use at the house and it's been great.
If 12" is all you can go, that's what I would do. It's certainly better than no step

 

[atomicathlete]

We use 12'' at our gym - the common thought process would be "higher is better" but in reality you rarely step much higher than 12'' while climbing, that's a foot per step. Also as Kyle mentioned above - your height greatly impacts this. We do step ups often in the gym but in reality the tire drag is a much better tool as stepping up requires stepping down each time as well. That's not what you'll experience in the backcountry. https://exomtngear.com/blogs/article/5-exercises-to-train-for-backcountry-hunting