Choosing the right size Pro-Jump Stilts
By Pro-Jump.co.uk | PJF Contributor: darfgarf
This guide covers the following topics for first time buyers only:
1. What do the numbers mean?
2. What is the best size for me?
3. Can a more specific spring size be ordered?
4. What will happen if I buy the wrong size?
5. Why is this guide only for first time buyers?
WHAT DO THE NUMBERS STAND FOR?
One of the first two questions that potential PowerBockers ask is what do the number next to the "M" Stand for on the Pro-Jump site and what size should I go for!
This is what the sizes look like on the website
The numbers next to model names indicate what the spring strength range is. For example "M60" means that the spring strength will be anything between 60-69kg, an M100 would be 100-119kg
"F" before the number means it is a Junior size
"M" before the number means it is an Adult size
WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE FOR ME?
Probably the one question that we get asked most frequently and most likely the one that is the hardest to answer to perfection! This guide is made gathering information from our users, it is a guidence only if you have doubts then you are encouraged to seek further advise from our forum.
As a general rule of thumb it is said to always go for a model about 10kg more than your actual weight, but as the spring sizes are not specific and have a range to them as explained above it can get a little tricky.
It is important to ask your self a few questions before you make a final decision. As every user is different it’s quite difficult to give a clear-cut answer on the perfect size as many variables play a factor in what is more suited to you.
Factors that may influence what size you buy:
1. Are you from a sporting background which has helped strengthen your leg muscles? If you are from a sporting / athletic background, especially gymnastics, parkour or freerunning and are very close to the upper limit of a weight band or coming just short of one it is always better to move to the next one up as you will get more out of your jumping stilts. If you don’t do that much sport and have never given your leg muscles a work-out then we would advise not going any higher than 10kg over your actual weight as this will hinder your progression and you may find gaining height and doing tricks harder you may even want to only go 7kg above your weight in this case.
2. Confused whether to go for the Junior F60 or adult M60? If you fall into the weight range suggested for these stilts then your height also plays a part. If you are 5 ft or over it is advised that you go for the Adult M60 model. The reason for this is the junior stilts will come too low for you and you will out grow them very fast especially if you are a growing teenager.
Below is a guide that we feel would help you choose if you are a first time buyer, this guide assumes that the "first time buyer" takes part in some sports, is in good health and a young adult...
CAN A MORE SPECIFIC SPRING SIZE BE ORDERED?
A more specific spring size can be ordered only under the "SPRING SWAP SERVICE"
This service costs an extra £15 (unless it states on the buy now page that the charge is included) and means that a Pro-Jump Specialist will change the springs over from a new pair of Pro-Jumps and replace them with the spring size of your choice provided we have it in stock.
There is a charge of £15 for this service as it involves unpacking a box of Pro-Jumps, removing the springs that are in there, replacing the springs to the size you requested and repackaging the box again to a high standard. There may be a 24hour delay in dispatching these to give Pro-Jump specialists enough time to provide the service.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I BUY THE WRONG SIZE?
If you buy a spring that is too weak for you, you will find that once you have corrected your technique you will not be able to get the maximum return from them and that the springs feel weak and bend too easily. In the Pro-Jumping / Power Bocking world this concept is "bottoming out" there is more info on this in our forum - please click here for details. Buying springs that are weak will also mean that they are likely to become weaker / softer more quicker and you may need to upgrade your springs too quickly. It may also shorten the lifespan of your spring.
If you buy a spring that is too strong for you, then you are likely to make your learning curve a lot harder. The springs will hinder your progress as you will have to put a lot of effort in in order to get any return from them and they will also make you tire a lot faster. Many people who buy stronger springs often get frustrated with the sport as they find they are getting very little air and cannot perform the tricks and jumps they were hoping too.
If you have brought the wrong size and used them, then unfortunately due to the nature of the equipment we can not exchange or refund them for you as due to the nature of the product straight away it depreciates in value and we cannot resell this package again at the full price. If you have not used them then you can return them at your cost to us for a full refund minus postal charges (Charged at £14.99 for mainland UK and whatever was paid on purchase for other parts of the world) or an exchange plus postal charges. This does not affect your statutory rights
WHY IS THIS GUIDE FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS ONLY?
Once a person starts using jumping stilts they can usually identify what the best choice for them is when they need to upgrade their stilts. This sport is not limited by age or fitness level but can only limited by your health, your personal boundaries or simply your imagination.
Some users have gone from having no sporting background and using the stilts from basic jumping to advancing their skills to incorporate split kicks, high jumps and even flips in a matter of a few months. These users have often spent alot of time on their Pro-Jumps and found a technique which helps them get the most out of their springs and how best to activate them, they often go even 25kg over their actual weight when they pair their second pair.
Other users have found that the 10kg rule is almost right for them and on their second pair decide to go for the same spring strength again or opt for something only a few kgs above what they had previously.
* Disclaimer
Any modifications, setting up guides, advice and tutorials found on the Pro-Jump Forum should only be followed at your own risk. Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals Ltd will not be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage of any nature. Some modifications provided on the forum may also invalidate your jumping stilts warranty so please check the terms and conditions on the Pro-Jump.co.uk site or the site where your jumping stilts were purchased from.
By following any of the advice set out on the Pro-Jump Forum you are exonerating the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster from all liability which may arise in respect of personal injury (fatal or otherwise) or damage to your equipment which may occur by following the advice given. You undertake to make no claim against the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals ltd) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster notwithstanding that such injury was caused or occasioned directly or indirectly by the act of neglect ,or default of the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster.
General Powerbocking Terms & History
By Pro-Jump.co.uk
This article aims to give a good insight into the sport of Power Bocking, along with general terms associated with the use of jumping stilts, its inventory, history and benefits of using them.
GENERAL TERMS:
Powerbock is the general name used for spring loaded jumping stilts regardless of the brand name. The name "Powerbock" has derived from the surname of the original inventor and patent holder Alexander Böck. Sometimes people often refer to the stilts simply as "Bocks" Our brand of Bocks is called Pro-Jump.
Powerbocking or Pro-Jumping refers to the activity / sport of using these jumping stilts.
Powerbockers or Pro-Jumpers refers to the user using the jumping stilt.
Brands There are a lot of different brand names for the jumping stilts such as Pro-Jumps, Powerskips, PoweriSer, PoweriZer, Velocity Motion Stilts, 7's, Skyrunners etc.
Inventor - You may often see the inventors surname spelt "Boeck" This I believe is the English way to spell it as the accent on the O in Böck is replaced with an "oe" - Don't worry there's only one inventor so when people refer to Bock, Böck or Boeck they are all talking about the same person!
ABOUT THE INVENTOR AND HIS INVENTION:
We have to thank Mr Alexander Böck for the invention of these stilts. Very little is known about the inventor himself but it is said that the jumping stilts were created based on his in-depth research into the walking and running movements of the kangaroo, the stilt was developed and evolved over time to mimic this and now offers the end-user boundless possibilities. It is widely recognised within the sport that once mastered you can run faster than 20mph and jump 7ft high!
In a very rare interview for Idea City the following pictures and bio were published in 2007:
"Alexander Böck has pioneered a unique way of propelling the human body. Similar to the comic book dream of being able to “leap pioneered a unique tall buildings in a single bound,” Power Skip Boots attach to the feet and create a bionic calf extension that allows one to mimic the effects of jumping on a trampoline with each step.
Böck has always had a strong interest in planes, rockets and combustion engines. He studied aerospace technology at the Technical University of Munich, graduating with a Master’s degree in Engineering. Shortly after graduating, Böck began a career as a turbojet engine designer. Meanwhile, he managed to keep up his own creative and inventive explorations, resulting in Power Skip Boots.
Often described as a “jumping stilt,” they must be seen to be believed. Currently Böck is working on some new designs for water sports equipment."
The biggest exposure the stilts saw was when the jumping stilts were featured in an advert for Zurich with the slogan "Because change happenZ" which can be seen below:
Luckily for Mr Böck his stilts have gone global and is now protected by a patent in most countries!
PATENT:
The design of the jumping stilt is protected by a Patent. The patent can be seen here surprisingly it was patented as "A Device for helping a person to walk!"
The following countries are protected by the patent held by Mr Böck...
The EU (Patent number EP 1 196 220 B1)
Great Britan (Patent number 1196220)
Spain (Patent number ES 2202160 T3)
Italy (Patent number 4840/BE/2003)
France(Patent number 1196220)
Germany (Patent number DE 500 02 752.8-08 andDE 102 11 691 C1) and America(Patent number US 6719671 B1)
This basically means that Mr Böck's invention is protected and that it would be illegal to sell the jumping stilts in any of the above countries unless you have his permission. Alexander Böck benefits from all sales that are made of jumping stilts in these countries.
POWERSKIPS - THE ORIGINAL BOCK
The brand that Mr Böck created and now sells himself is called Powerskips These stilts are regarded as the best and are used mainly by professional performing artists such as Swebounce.The stilts are very expensive and start at about £700. We now sell PowerSkips through www.UKGoodDeals.com
On this forum tundraH owns a pair and you can see him in action below:
PRO-JUMP JUMPING STILTS
UK Good Deals ltd first started selling Jumping stilts in early 2006 under their trademark Pro-Jump. Pro-Jump have now established themselves as one of the UK's leading sellers of Jumping Stilts providing users with an excellent quality jumping stilt at an affordable price and giving their customers a first class customer service. In 2009, Pro-Jump started selling their stilts into Europe and are currently building a dealer network across the EU to establish.
BENEFITS OF POWERBOCKING
mmmm.... Let's see
IT'S FUN!
IT'S LOTS OF FUN and yep IT'S FUN :D
Just looking at the jumping stilts, apart from the obvious benefits of fun and another extreme crazy thing to do there's lots of health benefits of using them... (For all the children / teenagers and adults - having a hard time convincing parents or the better half etc to buy you some here's some great points for you to use!)
Research by Korea's Hanlim Inforbecause mation Industrial University found that:
*People lost an average of seven pounds after five weeks of using the stilts.
*They also shed nearly an inch from their waistline and half an inch from their buttocks.
*In addition, levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) increased
* Levels of bad cholesterol decreased - so they can help protect against heart disease too.
(Source: Daily Mail)
So not only will you get a cardio-vascular workout, lose some weight, get rid of the belly but continued use of the Powerbocks will tone and strengthen the body’s core muscles too and to top that you should have FUN doing it too!
* Disclaimer
Any modifications, setting up guides, advice and tutorials found on the Pro-Jump Forum should only be followed at your own risk. Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals Ltd will not be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage of any nature. Some modifications provided on the forum may also invalidate your jumping stilts warranty so please check the terms and conditions on the Pro-Jump.co.uk site or the site where your jumping stilts were purchased from.
By following any of the advice set out on the Pro-Jump Forum you are exonerating the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster from all liability which may arise in respect of personal injury (fatal or otherwise) or damage to your equipment which may occur by following the advice given. You undertake to make no claim against the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals ltd) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster notwithstanding that such injury was caused or occasioned directly or indirectly by the act of neglect ,or default of the company (Pro-Jump / UK Good Deals) its employees, agents, members and the advise / tutorial poster.