Buy Jumping Stilts

Jumping Stilts, also known as Powerbocks, Spring Stilts and Power Jumping Stilts, are spring loaded stilts designed to increase the jumping height and running speed of the wearer. The unique high-tech design was created and patented in 2003 by German engineer, Alexander Böck. Since then, several brands of stilts have emerged worldwide, some of which now being very popular in the UK and Europe. The stilts are used for extreme sports by most, but are also used as an exercise tool. The term 'bocking' (taken obviously from the surname of the inventor) refers to the general action of using the stilts.

The Stats

• Jump up to 5ft
  
• Run up to speeds of 25mph +
  
• Take up to 9ft strides
  
• Jump over cars and other tall obstacles
  
• Perform back flips, forward flips and other aerial moves

The Technical Bit

The stilts consist of a foot plate with bindings, a shin support at the top, all constructed around a leaf spring made from fibreglass. The stilts are designed to act like an extension of the leg (just with a little more springiness) and only slightly alter the body's centre of gravity, making standing, walking and jumping very easy. Most brands will sell jumping stilts according to the weight of the user. This is obviously because the strength of the leaf spring on a children's pair will need to be different to the pair for a 80kg adult. Due to their high quality and the very strong materials used, jumping stilts are incredibly durable.

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Technical Analysis

Most of the jumping stilts available on the market at the moment are manufactured to a very high standard in a factory in Korea. The stilts are made up of hundreds of high quality parts and the overall structure is incredibly strong.

The rubber footpad is around the same size as a normal sized hand, and has a 'square patterned' tread. Although the tread isn't that deep, its certainly enough to provide sufficient grip on short grass. As you can see from the photo, the rubber footpad is attached to a metal sleeve that holds the spring. Bottoming out is where the bottom of the footplate (where your feet go) touches the metal around the rubber footpad.

The footplate itself is made of plastic, but has a strong metal support system underneath it. The footplate comes with two adjustable straps. One is tightened over the area just before your toes and the other (larger) strap tightens at the top of your foot. Having these straps tight, but also comfortable is very important as loose or uncomfortable straps can reduce your control / balance on the stilts.

At the top of the stilts is a foam cushion that is designed to rest just below your knee. Behind this cushion is a strap that has to be pulled tight, so that your leg is firmly against the foam cushion. As with the foot straps, this strap needs to be tight but also comfortable, as reduced control / balance will result.

The New Exercise

Jumping stilts are fast becomming not just an extreme sport product but also as a means of exercise. Unconfirmed claims suggest higher calorie burning rates than normal running (which makes sense as it takes an awfull lot more effort and muscle use to run with stilts than it does running normally). The great thing about using jumping stilts as an exercising product is that it is genuinly fun! 

Running is great for getting fit and losing weight, but it can easily become very dull and boring. Exercsing with jumping stilts brings an element of fun and thus increases your motivation, which in turn increases your mental endurance. Remember that a lot of exercising is just about physival strength as it is about mental strength. Increased motivation means increased endurance and increased calorie burning!

Tricks - Vaulting

Vaulting is basically where you put your hand on an obstacle and, whilst leaning on it, lift your legs up and shift using your body weight over the obstacle. This move requires a lot of commitment and a certain level of flexibility and arm strength. Its best to first try this move without your stilts to make sure you get the technique right. The best obstacle to use when doing it without your stilts would be an obstacle that is about your waist height, ideally a little above.

As with all jumping stilt tricks, remember to always wear the appropriate safety gear. This includes (but is certainly not restricted to) gloves, wrist support, knee pads and a helmet.