5 Common Jumping Stilts Mis-Conceptions
- By Jason Macek
- Published 04/21/2009
- Advice
- Unrated
Jason Macek
Jason Macek enjoys writing about things that interest him. This includes extreme sports and anything that propels you several feet into the air. Jumping stilts fits this description. Check out http://www.air-trekkers.com for more information.
View all articles by Jason Macek
1) They look so dangerous. It looks like you could break your neck.
Actually jumping stilts are not dangerous - at all. Sure if one uses them carelessly during the initial learning period, a person could incur an injury, but a serious injury is not very likely.
Compare the risk of injury of using jumping stilts to riding a bike, or snow skiing. When you are learning, you feel a bit awkward and clumsy, and even fall down at times. It's during this learning phase that we strongly recommend wearing a helmet, wrist & elbow guards. But after a few days or weeks, depending on your usage, you begin to get the hang of it. You realize you are rarely falling. Your confidence soon skyrockets, and soon the idea of a serious fall or injury isn't a concern. When you do fall, trying that first flip, you realize you have become very adapt at catching yourself.
During the past 18 months of US distribution, there has only been one serious accident. A buyer received his Air-Trekkers jumping stilts at night. He was so excited about getting the units that he did not read the guide manual, nor did he put on protective gear. He strapped on his Air-Trekkers and took off running down the street at night, on day one. He did injure his wrists on that first fall.
2) They look so hard to learn. I'll never be able to perform those tricks I see in the videos.
Remember your first day on a snowboard, a skateboard, wakeboard, bike....remember your first day on the golf course? As with all these sporting activities, there is a learning curve. (The new models that have the calf cuffs dramatically reduce the learning curve....more on that in another article.) When buyers first receive their Air-Trekkers, they are very surprised how high off the ground they are.
Standing 18" off the ground on springy stilts is a bit intimidating at first, but that's why people buy them, they are outrageously unique and fun. If one simply follows the directions in the provided guide manual and watches the videos, they will be walking and hopping in a day or two. As long as you take your time, stay on grass for a week and wear protective gear, the learning curve can quickly become a memory.
After 10-15 sessions, people are commenting that they are able to jump as high as they WANT. Then if one wants to begin performing tricks the only thing stopping you is you. Like your first flip on a trampoline either you have it in you, or not. Once you try a flip the first time you realize that they are actually very easy.
3) Jumping Stilts are for young people.
Not true. We have sold Air-Trekkers to many middle aged adults. Several h
ave been sold to 40+ year old military personnel. We've even sold units to a 72 year old hang glider pilot. Sure, most buyers are between the ages of 15 and 30, but we have received many comments, from all walks of life, on the great alternative workout Air-Trekkers provide.
4) Air-Trekker Jumping Stilts are only for adrenaline crazed kids who thrive on high risk.
Like today's snowboarding, wakeboarding and extreme skateboarding, Air-Trekker jumping stilts do attract the people who love big air. But 95% of people, who participate in these action sport activities, do not perform the crazy stunts. They simple enjoy the products, the sport and the community. You don't need to perform 4 consecutive flips to enjoy jumping stilts. Many users love the workout they provide. If you want to develop strong legs, very strong legs, jumping stilts will develop your legs faster, while having more fun, than any other means.
Whether you need strong legs for other sports or just like big guns, jumping stilts makes your legs incredibly strong - very quickly. Want to get in shape? Need an aerobic workout but hate the gym, and am tired of running or biking? Jumping stilts will get you in shape faster, and of course with more fun, then anything I can think of. Ask anyone who has strapped on a pair of Air-Trekker jumping stilts: How were they? Most will say, "I can hardly breathe or my legs feel like noodles." Within a month, they become Spartans!
Also, many people just love walking or jogging around town on their jumping stilts. The attention one gets when running around on jumping stilts makes your feel like a rock star.
5) Jumping stilts are a cheap toy made in Asia.
Nothing could be more from the truth. Air-Trekker jumping stilts are patent protected; therefore, the specs on all units have to conform to the patent holder's design and specs. The units are assembled in a high end bicycle manufacturing facility. All parts are tested, and the springs themselves are made from millions of carbon fiber fused together. The units are built with quality parts to withstand quite a beating. Of course anything can break. Ride a bike into a tree and it will bend. Crash a car into a wall and it will break. But when you take a pair of Air-Trekker jumping stilts out of the box for the first time, when you hold a unit in your hands, you quickly realize these are not toys. Like an expensive bike or snow skis, you realize that these units are well built and tough.
Air-Trekker's manufacturer is the #1 producer of jumping stilts on the globe. Most units sold in Europe and around the world are made by this one manufacturer. (Even the 2008 Olympic closing ceremonies called on this manufacturer to supply jumping stilts for a performance.) And after 18 months of US distribution, our warranty claims are less than 1/2 of 1%. Now that's quality you can trust!
Actually jumping stilts are not dangerous - at all. Sure if one uses them carelessly during the initial learning period, a person could incur an injury, but a serious injury is not very likely.
Compare the risk of injury of using jumping stilts to riding a bike, or snow skiing. When you are learning, you feel a bit awkward and clumsy, and even fall down at times. It's during this learning phase that we strongly recommend wearing a helmet, wrist & elbow guards. But after a few days or weeks, depending on your usage, you begin to get the hang of it. You realize you are rarely falling. Your confidence soon skyrockets, and soon the idea of a serious fall or injury isn't a concern. When you do fall, trying that first flip, you realize you have become very adapt at catching yourself.
During the past 18 months of US distribution, there has only been one serious accident. A buyer received his Air-Trekkers jumping stilts at night. He was so excited about getting the units that he did not read the guide manual, nor did he put on protective gear. He strapped on his Air-Trekkers and took off running down the street at night, on day one. He did injure his wrists on that first fall.
2) They look so hard to learn. I'll never be able to perform those tricks I see in the videos.
Remember your first day on a snowboard, a skateboard, wakeboard, bike....remember your first day on the golf course? As with all these sporting activities, there is a learning curve. (The new models that have the calf cuffs dramatically reduce the learning curve....more on that in another article.) When buyers first receive their Air-Trekkers, they are very surprised how high off the ground they are.
Standing 18" off the ground on springy stilts is a bit intimidating at first, but that's why people buy them, they are outrageously unique and fun. If one simply follows the directions in the provided guide manual and watches the videos, they will be walking and hopping in a day or two. As long as you take your time, stay on grass for a week and wear protective gear, the learning curve can quickly become a memory.
After 10-15 sessions, people are commenting that they are able to jump as high as they WANT. Then if one wants to begin performing tricks the only thing stopping you is you. Like your first flip on a trampoline either you have it in you, or not. Once you try a flip the first time you realize that they are actually very easy.
3) Jumping Stilts are for young people.
Not true. We have sold Air-Trekkers to many middle aged adults. Several h
4) Air-Trekker Jumping Stilts are only for adrenaline crazed kids who thrive on high risk.
Like today's snowboarding, wakeboarding and extreme skateboarding, Air-Trekker jumping stilts do attract the people who love big air. But 95% of people, who participate in these action sport activities, do not perform the crazy stunts. They simple enjoy the products, the sport and the community. You don't need to perform 4 consecutive flips to enjoy jumping stilts. Many users love the workout they provide. If you want to develop strong legs, very strong legs, jumping stilts will develop your legs faster, while having more fun, than any other means.
Whether you need strong legs for other sports or just like big guns, jumping stilts makes your legs incredibly strong - very quickly. Want to get in shape? Need an aerobic workout but hate the gym, and am tired of running or biking? Jumping stilts will get you in shape faster, and of course with more fun, then anything I can think of. Ask anyone who has strapped on a pair of Air-Trekker jumping stilts: How were they? Most will say, "I can hardly breathe or my legs feel like noodles." Within a month, they become Spartans!
Also, many people just love walking or jogging around town on their jumping stilts. The attention one gets when running around on jumping stilts makes your feel like a rock star.
5) Jumping stilts are a cheap toy made in Asia.
Nothing could be more from the truth. Air-Trekker jumping stilts are patent protected; therefore, the specs on all units have to conform to the patent holder's design and specs. The units are assembled in a high end bicycle manufacturing facility. All parts are tested, and the springs themselves are made from millions of carbon fiber fused together. The units are built with quality parts to withstand quite a beating. Of course anything can break. Ride a bike into a tree and it will bend. Crash a car into a wall and it will break. But when you take a pair of Air-Trekker jumping stilts out of the box for the first time, when you hold a unit in your hands, you quickly realize these are not toys. Like an expensive bike or snow skis, you realize that these units are well built and tough.
Air-Trekker's manufacturer is the #1 producer of jumping stilts on the globe. Most units sold in Europe and around the world are made by this one manufacturer. (Even the 2008 Olympic closing ceremonies called on this manufacturer to supply jumping stilts for a performance.) And after 18 months of US distribution, our warranty claims are less than 1/2 of 1%. Now that's quality you can trust!