Home Gym Equipment: Power Tower & Plyo Boxes

The term “home gym” has many meanings, depending on the exercise equipment you have at home. No two home gyms look exactly the same. For some, a home gym setup is merely a few resistance bands and an exercise mat. For others, it might include a plyo box, dumbbells, kettlebells, macebells and clubbells, and/or other freeweight components, such as a lifting bench and bench bar.

For many, a home gym refers to a freestanding tower, like our Sculpt Power Tower, designed to allow you to perform various bodyweight exercises. Sculpt Power Tower provides bars and cushions for you to perform leg raises and twists, dips, pull-ups, and push-ups, all in a compact, durable steel structure.

Home gyms eliminate the need for multiple pieces of equipment and are ideal for workout enthusiasts with limited space or budget constraints. A home gym like our Sculpt Power Tower provides a comprehensive, efficient workout experience, allowing you to target multiple muscle groups with a variety of bodyweight exercises in a single, compact workout area. Its vertical design maximizes space while offering diverse exercise options, including pull-ups, dips, and leg raises.

For some, the convenience and flexibility of a home gym is invaluable. Having workout equipment at home saves you the time (and gas) spent commuting to a public, commercial gym and eliminates excuses, allowing for spontaneous workouts whenever you have time. This is particularly beneficial if you have a remote job, live far from a gym, or are a stay-at-home parent. A home gym also offers a more private, controlled environment, which can be appealing to those who feel self-conscious working out in public.

One drawback of home gyms, for some, is motivation. Some workout enthusiasts thrive in the social atmosphere of a commercial gym. If that’s you, a home gym may require more self-discipline to maintain a consistent routine. Another drawback is that not everyone has enough space for workout equipment in their home. But that’s why so many customers love our Sculpt Power Tower. Barely 4.8 by 3.8 feet wide, this steel workout station lets you crank out upper body, lower body, and core exercises in an extremely compact space.

Home gym stations allow you to perform a variety of bodyweight exercises targeting your lower body, back, core, and arms. These include wide and narrow pull-ups, chin-ups, dips, knee raises, twists, hangs, and front levers. There are also low bars to improve your push-up form.

Yes, you can absolutely lose weight with a home gym. Home gyms make workouts convenient and accessible. Having exercise equipment at home eliminates the need to travel to a gym, saving time and making it easier to fit workouts into your schedule. A home gym also provides a comfortable, private space to focus on your fitness journey without distractions, which can make you more likely to work out. But remember, simply having a home gym doesn't guarantee weight loss. Exercise is a great way to burn calories, but without a healthy diet, you may not lose any weight. The only guaranteed way to lose weight is to enter a caloric deficit (in other words, to burn more calories each day than you consume).

Maybe for some people, but not for everyone. There is no definitive answer about whether home gyms are more effective than public gyms. As we’ve mentioned above, home gyms can be a great way to make workouts convenient, accessible, and affordable. But if you prefer the external motivation of working out in a commercial gym or need access to a wide array of exercise equipment, then a membership at a commercial gym may be a better choice. On the other hand, some workout enthusiasts have a small home gym to work out at home a few days a week and go to the gym on other days.

Yes. Every brand will differ, but our home gym system, Sculpt Power Tower, has a recommended weight limit of 250 pounds.

A plyometric activity is an exercise that involves a rapid stretching and contracting of muscles to generate explosive power. This is usually done through jumping or hopping movements, aiming to produce maximum force in a short period of time. In short, plyometrics are quick, powerful bursts of movement.

A plyometric (“plyo”) box, also known as a leap platform, is a piece of exercise equipment used for plyometric training. Traditionally, these were sturdy boxes of various heights, typically made of wood or foam. Modern leap platforms, however, are made from durable steel and coated with grippy polyurethane leather. These platforms, like the boxes, are designed to be jumped on and off of and help develop explosive power, speed, and agility. They are commonly used in CrossFit, HIIT workouts, and sports conditioning to improve lower body strength, cardiovascular fitness, and a blend of agility, coordination, and balance.

As a beginner, you should start with a shorter plyo box, and move up as you feel comfortable. Most beginners will find good results starting with a 12” or 18” box. You may later move up to 24” and 30” boxes. If you’re particularly tall, a higher box may work for you, even as a beginner. Our Leap Platform Plyo Boxes are also available in a four-pack set, with 12”, 18”, 24”, and 30” boxes.

The material is a key consideration when choosing a plyometric box or platform. Wood and steel are the most common options. Wooden plyo boxes have a classic look and feel and can be cheaper than steel boxes. However, wooden boxes are more susceptible to damage over time and may require occasional sanding or refinishing to maintain appearance and functionality. Steel plyo boxes or “platforms,” on the other hand, have exceptional durability and stability. They can withstand heavy use for years and resist damage from drops and impacts, making them a good choice for high-intensity workouts or gym settings. Steel plyo platforms also tend to be more compact and stackable, so they are the best choice for those with limited space.

Box jumps are perhaps the most common plyometric exercise and are highly effective at developing explosive power in the lower body. Box jumps enhance muscle strength and endurance and are particularly useful because they engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously—including quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves—forcing them to work together to propel you upwards. This explosive power translates to improved performance in activities like sprinting, jumping, and other sports that require quick bursts of energy. The explosive nature of the exercise also elevates your heart rate and challenges your cardiovascular system, similar to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout.

Purpose-built plyo platforms are the best option, because they have a grippy, slip-resistant polyurethane top and durable steel frame. But if you don’t own a plyo box or leap platform (and don't want to purchase one) then you can perhaps DIY one at home. Some people use a stack of workout mats, for example, or a bench, scrap lumber, cinder blocks, or the bottom stairs of a staircase. Just remember, none of these “DIY” options are specifically designed for plyometric workouts, so you run an increased risk of injury. Just be careful and use common sense. If you find yourself practicing plyometric workouts regularly, it’s best to purchase a leap platform or plyo box.