Bottoming Out

As with any product with a spring device, it is possible to go beyond the energy absorption capacity and 'bottom out'. Bottoming out your jumping stilts basically means where your foot plate meets the bracket connecting to the bottom of the spring and the foot pad and has its good and bad points. If you are bottoming out your stilts quite often, then its quite likely that you do not have the correct size / weight capacity stilts and may need to upgrade. If you are unsure its best to contact your supplier who will be able to best advise how to deal with the problem.

Other reasons for bottoming out can be:

• Landing from a great height (large amount of downward force)
• Weakening springs

Obviously if you are bottoming out after basic, medium height moves then you may either have the wrong size or weakening springs (which happens after a period of time, dependant on the frequency of use).

If you are bottoming out only on high downward force moves (landing from greater heights) then this is ok (providing you don't do it too often as this obviously wears the jumping stilts quicker). Bottoming out means you also get the maximum amount of upward force afterwards which is useful for front or backward flips. Another reason for not doing this too often is that when you bottom out you are no longer leaving the spring to absorb then landing force - instead, when the spring has reached its capacity, your body (or more specifically your spine) tends to take the extra landing force. If this force is quite substantial then serious damage can be caused so its best to realise why you are bottoming out and what you can do to reduce it (ie if wrong size/weak springs then change or extreme moves - do less often or consider more advanced stilts.

Again, remember to also wear safety gear when using your stilts. Gloves, wrist protection, knee pads and a helmet are incredibly important.