If you’re a little apprehensive about risking skinned knees just to jump on top of a box, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are some easy steps to follow to help you get up and over your fears.
Start small
It doesn’t matter how small you start. What we need to do here is boost your confidence, so we’re going to set you up for success. Find a height you’re comfortable with and start crushing it. Once you’re nailing jumps consistently you’re ready for a new challenge and can move to a higher surface. This isn’t a race and no one wins if you rush it, just make sure you’re challenging yourself when you’re ready.
Focus on landing gently and absorbing the impact.
Focus
Keep your eye on the prize, which in this case is the middle of the box. Visual training can be extremely beneficial when getting over this kind of fear. So stare at the top of the box and visualize where your feet are going to land. Do it every time for every jump you do. Focus your attention on where you’re aiming and go for it.
Perspective
At the end of the day, it’s a box. And your fear of it is keeping you from your goals. It’s blocking you from achieving something. It’s a literal road block, and you can conquer it. Maybe you have to get mad at it, or belittle it, whatever it takes to divert your brain from fear to another stronger emotion. It’s an inanimate object after all, and you are better than it.
Try, try again
Not to shock you, but during this process you might stumble. You might even fall. And that’s okay-it’s part of your process. The important thing is that you get back up and jump again, immediately. Get right back on the horse. Don’t dwell on the set back, don’t even let your brain register that it happened. The longer you wait, the more the fear will grow and fester.
Support system
If you’re really having a tough time with this one, have a buddy stand next to you so you can use their shoulder. Use that support to help reassure you until you’re good on your own. And keep yourself familiar with box jumps. Keep them in your workout as a warm up or an extra something to work on regularly so they don’t become a big scary monster, but instead a friendly gym buddy.
