New Extreme Sport Jumping Its Way To The USA! Are You Ready To Experience New Sensations?

Then it is time for you to put on a pair of jumping stilts and invade the city streets on your daily commute or your fitness training. Invented in 2001 by German Alexander Boeck (hence the name of Powerbocking for this new sport) these stilts on springs have already taken Europe by storm.

The structure, worn up to the knee, is composed of a fiber glass spring mounted on an aluminum structure. The feet rest on pads and are secured in straps similar to snowboard bindings. The mechanical system transmits the downward push into the spring and launches the rider into the air.

This new sport can be compared to trampoline practice, only you can take it out anywhere!

Jump as high as 6 feet, leap 10 feet strides, run up to 20 mph!...Adrenaline high guaranteed!

"At first, it feels a little weird but with the right layer of padding, you start feeling as if it is just an extension of your legs" says aficionado Jam, who lives in San Francisco. Perched 17 inches above the ground, he regularly practices on the Embarcadero.

"I started the sport last year and I am totally addicted. The moves are much like trampoline. It is a great work-out and a great way to meet people! You can't be shy about it...It is definitely an eye catcher. People stare at me and most stop me with all kinds of questions!" 

Different styles have already developed and continue evolving:

* Fitness training : Within a few hours of practice you can walk, run, and jump. It is excellent cardio training: 98 % of the muscles are involved and you can burn calories 5 times faster than regular jogging.

* Street style: Street style consists in utilizing urban elements like it is done in "Parkour". The goal is to move from one point to another as efficiently as possible, overcoming obstacles in the surrounding environment: stairs, fences, benches, rails, garbage cans etc...

* Freestyle : Involves a variety of acrobatic figures and combinations of flips, grabs, 360, doubles. Moves can choreographed in shows and the need for performers on jumping stilts has been increasing.

"IS IT FOR ME?"

Anyone can enjoy this new sport; there has been minimal failure among the people who tried. Just like any other sport, you need to go through a learning curve and the results will depend on your physical ability. Use protection gear as you would for skateboarding or rollerblading. Using common sense will reduce the risk of falls.