10 Best Box Skip Alternatives for Power and Glute Strength

The Box Skip is done standing. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Step-up With Knee Raise, the Lunge With Jump and the Walking Lunge.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Box Skip

Box Skip
Primary muscle
Glutes
Equipment
Other
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Abductors, Adductors, Calves, Glutes, Quadriceps

How to perform Box Skip
  1. You will need several boxes lined up about 8 feet apart.
  2. Begin facing the first box with one leg slightly behind the other.
  3. Drive off the back leg, attempting to gain as much height with the hips as possible.
  4. Immediately upon landing on the box, drive the other leg forward and upward to gain height and distance, leaping from the box. Land between the first two boxes with the same leg that landed on the first box.
  5. Then, step to the next box and repeat.
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Ranked Box Skip Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Box Skip on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Step-up With Knee Raise

    1. Step-up With Knee Raise

    95% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A straight swap when you want to keep working the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a box or bench of an appropriate height with your feet together. This will be your starting position.
    2. Begin the movement by stepping up, putting your left foot on the top of the bench. Extend through the hip and knee of your front leg to stand up on the box. As you stand on the box with your left leg, flex your right knee and hip, bringing your knee as high as you can.
    3. Reverse this motion to step down off the box, and then repeat the sequence on the opposite leg.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  2. Lunge With JumpPlay demonstration

    2. Lunge With Jump

    84% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Take a step forward with your right foot, lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. Push off with your right foot and jump into the air, switching the position of your feet mid-air.
    4. Land softly with your left foot forward and immediately lower your body into a lunge position.
    5. Continue alternating between lunges and jumps for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  3. Walking LungePlay demonstration

    3. Walking Lunge

    80% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    It still works the glutes, through a different movement.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Take a step forward with your right leg, lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. Keep your torso upright and your front knee aligned with your ankle.
    4. Push off with your right foot and bring your left foot forward, stepping into a lunge position with your left leg.
    5. Continue alternating legs and walking forward, maintaining a controlled and steady pace.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  4. Forward LungePlay demonstration

    4. Forward Lunge

    80% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the glutes.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hands on your hips.
    2. Take a big step forward with your right foot, lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. Bend your right knee to about 90 degrees, keeping your knee aligned with your ankle.
    4. Push off with your right foot and return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat with your left leg, alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  5. Monster WalkPlay demonstration

    5. Monster Walk

    79% match
    • Glutes
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place a resistance band around your ankles.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bend your knees.
    3. Take a step to the side with your right foot, maintaining tension on the resistance band.
    4. Follow with your left foot, stepping to the side to return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  6. Band Step-upPlay demonstration

    6. Band Step-up

    78% match
    • Glutes
    • Band
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place a band around your thighs, just above your knees.
    2. Stand facing a step or platform with your feet hip-width apart.
    3. Step up onto the platform with your right foot, pushing through your heel.
    4. Extend your left leg behind you, keeping it straight.
    5. Lower your left foot back down to the ground.
    6. Repeat with your left foot stepping up onto the platform.
    7. Continue alternating legs for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: a band, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  7. Dumbbell Step-upPlay demonstration

    7. Dumbbell Step-up

    78% match
    • Glutes
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand in front of a bench or step with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
    2. Place your right foot on the bench or step, ensuring your entire foot is in contact with the surface.
    3. Push through your right heel and lift your body up onto the bench or step, straightening your right leg.
    4. Bring your left foot up onto the bench or step, standing fully upright.
    5. Step back down with your left foot, followed by your right foot, returning to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: free weights, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  8. Scissors Jump

    8. Scissors Jump

    75% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Assume a lunge stance position with one foot forward with the knee bent, and the rear knee nearly touching the ground.
    2. Ensure that the front knee is over the midline of the foot. Extending through both legs, jump as high as possible, swinging your arms to gain lift.
    3. As you jump as high as you can, switch the position of your legs, moving your front leg to the back and the rear leg to the front.
    4. As you land, absorb the impact through the legs by adopting the lunge position, and repeat.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quads, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  9. Split Jump

    9. Split Jump

    75% match
    • Quads
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Assume a lunge stance position with one foot forward with the knee bent, and the rear knee nearly touching the ground.
    2. Ensure that the front knee is over the midline of the foot.
    3. Extending through both legs, jump as high as possible, swinging your arms to gain lift.
    4. As you jump, bring your feet together, and move them back to their initial positions as you land.
    5. Absorb the impact by reverting back to the starting position.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: quads, not glutes
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Box Skip
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip
  10. Weighted Lunge With SwingPlay demonstration

    10. Weighted Lunge With Swing

    74% match
    • Glutes
    • Weighted
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a weight in each hand.
    2. Take a step forward with your right foot, lowering your body into a lunge position.
    3. As you lunge forward, swing the weights forward and upward, keeping your arms straight.
    4. Push off with your right foot and return to the starting position, swinging the weights back down.
    5. Repeat with your left foot and continue alternating legs for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Box Skip
    • Equipment: free weights, not bodyweight only
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Box Skip

How to Choose the Right Box Skip Substitute

Match the substitute to your goal, equipment, and movement pattern. For power, pick horizontal or vertical ballistic moves like broad jumps or explosive step-ups that allow triple extension; cue: accelerate through the hip and reach full extension. For hypertrophy, choose slower, loaded options such as weighted hip thrusts or RDLs that emphasize time under tension and peak glute contraction. Consider impact tolerance (low-impact swing vs. high-impact jump), unilateral vs. bilateral work for stability, and your ability to maintain neutral spine and hip hinge to ensure proper glute activation.

Box Skip FAQ

What muscles does Box Skip work?

Box Skips primarily target the glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves through rapid hip extension and knee drive. The move also recruits the core for stabilization and uses triple extension (ankle, knee, hip) to generate vertical force.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Box Skip?

The broad jump is the top bodyweight substitute: it trains explosive hip extension and horizontal power without a box. Cue: hinge slightly, load the hips, explode forward using the hips and glutes, and land softly with knees tracking over toes to maintain posterior-chain activation.

Can I build muscle without doing Box Skip?

Yes. You can build glute and upper-leg muscle with loaded hip thrusts, single-leg RDLs, and weighted step-ups that allow progressive overload. Emphasize full hip extension and controlled eccentric lowering to maximize glute activation and mechanical tension.

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