Setup
Stand facing a sturdy box or bench at knee height, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides. Position yourself close enough that your foot can plant fully on the surface without reaching forward.
How to do it
- Drive through the heel of your elevated foot to lift your body up onto the box.
- Bring your trailing leg up to meet the working leg, standing fully upright on top.
- Step down with the same leg that stepped up first, controlling the descent.
- Keep your torso upright and core braced throughout the entire movement.
- Complete all reps on one leg before switching sides.
Watch out for
- ✗Pushing off the ground with the bottom foot instead of driving through the top leg.
- ✗Leaning forward excessively or letting the knee cave inward during the step-up.
- ✗Using momentum or bouncing off the box rather than controlling each rep.