Powerbocking or simply bocking is an activity that involves wearing jumping stilts that are spring-loaded and enable the use to run, jump and for more skilled and experienced users, do acrobatic activities. Jumping stilts were invented by German engineer Alexander Böck in 2003.
The activity of using jumping stilts is called powerbocking combining the product’s ability for users to power walk, run and jump with the inventor’s last name.
The stilts consist of a lightweight aluminum frame with a foot plate at the bottom and a flexible carbon-fiber leaf spring attached to a boot-like binding that secures the user’s foot. The springs store energy as the user steps down, and then release it as they push off, propelling them into the air.
Powerbocking jumping stilts specs
Adult jumping stilts for men and women typically weigh around 20 lbs (9 kg) with dimensions 35″ x 16″ x 11″ (89 cm x 41 cm x 28 cm). When wearing the stilts, the user is typically standing 16″ – 20″ (41 cm – 51 cm) above the ground.
Jumping stilts typically cost around $155 for a kids set and around $285 for an adult pair.
You wear the jumping stilts like shoes and they are fastened to your legs for stability and safety. While it may at first glance appear like you are strapping two pogo sticks to your legs, powerbocking is much more involved.
Safety
Powerbocking is a dangerous activity as users may fall and if they are running or jumping at the time, may injure themselves badly in the process. Bocking can reasonably be described as an extreme sport especially for those who incorporate high jumping and acrobatic activities.
While it’s important to wear a helmet, it’s also a good idea to consider wrist protection, elbow pads and knee pads especially for beginners. Other protective padded clothing might be in order, too.
One of the bigger mistakes a person can make is using jumping stilts for the first time and believing they can immediately start mimicking the running and flipping that they may have seen on videos filmed by experienced users.
Skills Required
First and foremost, jumping stilts requires balance. While you shouldn’t expect to immediately be able to run or even walk comfortably with ease, you can improve with time and practice depending on how good your sense of balance is.
A reasonably skilled powerbocker may reach heights of 3′ – 10′ (1 m – 3 m) off the ground and may achieve speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) so the risk of injury is great if you lose control and fall. Having said that, you can of course limit your height and speed to a degree without losing your balance and maintain a comfortable level. While the 10′ jumping limit is a manufacturer provided number, many powerbockers will typically stay in the 5′ range and under.
Here’s a video of a new powerbocker testing out her jumping stilts and trying various tricks as she gets used to them.
Brands
Well-known manufacturers of jumping stilts include the following:
- Powerskips
- Fly Jumpers
- Pro-Jumps
- Skyrunner
- Air-Trekkers
- Flying Jumpers
- Power Striders
Purchase Considerations
When choosing jumping stilts for yourself, take into consideration the following factors:
User weight: Kids and adult jumping stilts are available and are thus weight-rated to hold a maximum load. Kids jumping stilts typically are capable of carrying a load of 88 lbs – 132 lbs (40 kg – 60 kg) which may suit kids from age 8 – 13. Follow manufacturer instructions to be sure of minimum age requirements. Adult stilts are usually capable of handling up to 200 lbs – 242 lbs (90 kg – 110 kg). So the maximum user weight of jumping stilts is normally around 242 lbs. Heavier rated stilts have heavier rated springs so it is important to choose a pair that fits your profile and current weight.
Parts: Jumping stilts typically incorporate a rubber foot pad for your feet to sit in which is held in place with straps around the knees and feet. Quality manufacturers use carbon fiberglass and steel coil springs, padded calf cuffs for comfort, strong nylon straps with an aluminum or steel frame. Hard plastic is often also used for other parts. The feet of the stilts are covered with rubber.
Cost: Depending on your budget you’ll typically find both kids and adult jumping stilts for between $155 and $300. Numerous manufacturers produce them but it’s important to match your budget with quality. You don’t want to go cheap with something like jumping stilts. This is another reason why it’s important to try jumping stilts in person before buying them.
Powerbocking Benefits
While your usage style, skill level, commitment and effort level matter, in general terms powerbocking can:
- Raise your heart rate and burn calories
- Strengthen your core
- Reduce fat
- Improve your balance
- Tone your body
Popularity
Considering that jumping stilts were first patented in 2004, they have never really experienced widespread use. While the $300 price tag for adult jumping stilts might be part of it, it seems to have developed into a niche activity much like other extreme sports.
While it has an enthusiastic following among users, it also never really reached widespread take up and other than early years after its creation where users were happy to put videos online of them using their new stilts, popularity has been muted.
A quick search of Google trends shows that popularity peaked in 2010 and has trended downwards since then.
Conclusion
Numerous jumping stilt manufacturers remain and if you are up to the challenge, they are easily found online. Having said that, your best is to actually try out jumping stilts for yourself. You want to get a sense as to whether or not it’s something that you can see yourself taking part in or if it’ll be something you buy, try several times, and then stick in your storage room never to be used again.
Here’s a video of an experienced powerbocker running through a busy public area catching many glances along the way to give you a sense as how you can use jumping stilts in a fairly routine way.