Powerisers
The electrifying world of extreme sports has taken hold of pop culture over the past decade. Millions of viewers tune into the X-Games each and every year, and they may be watching a brand new sport pretty soon. Powerisers are becoming increasingly popular among young people today, allowing them to challenge gravity and push the limits of physics. These leg-strapped jumping mechanisms go by many names: spring shoes, crazy legs, kangaroo shoes, jumping stilts, fly jumpers, skyrunners, and pogo stilts, among others. Powerisers are a relatively new and low-key item on the market, but are sure to become more common.
The modern design of Powerisers sprang from the blueprint of German inventor Alexander Bock, which was patented in 2003. “Powerbocking” is the most common word used to describe the act of jumping and running with Powerisers and their foreign counterparts (stemming from the inventor’s name). Powerskips are another brand intended for professional use, and can cost well over $1,000, but more mainstream versions (such as Powerisers) generally cost anywhere from around $250 to around $400.
These spring loaded shoes allow users to reach new heights and perform exciting athletic feats and tricks.
Powerisers can be used as a tool in extreme sports, for exercise, or for simple recreational use. They allow the user to “reach for the stars,” propelling them 3-6 feet in the air depending on the power of the user. They also allow them to take 9 foot strides and run up to 20 miles per hour! For these simple reasons, Powerisers have broken new ground for recreational sports, exercise, and even travel.
The Poweriser design is relatively simple. Anyone who has gone snowboarding will be familiar with the straps, which are closely related to the bindings used to attach their feet to their boards. To keep traction and grip, engineers have added a rubber pad at the base, also referred to as a “hoof.” The spring is made from fiberglass, and is quite strong and durable, projecting people who weigh up to 220 pounds multiple feet in the air.
The most popular brands of powerbocks, besides Powerisers, are Jumping Jacks, Pro Jumps, Air-Treckers, Fly Jumpers, and Powerstriders. There is also another brand dubbed Skyrunners, which do not pay dividend to Alexander Bock, and are illegal to sell in patent-protected countries. Powerisers were created in Korea and manufactured in the Philippines, and are available at many online retail stores. Safety is an important factor when using these powerful jumpers, so it is recommended that the user wear a helmet, knee pads, knee braces, and elbow gloves.
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