The Fitness Benefits of the Pogo Stick

Pogo sticks have been around, here and there, for nearly a hundred years. However, they may now be making a serious comeback for more than just kids' entertainment. In fact, pogo stick workouts and competition are becoming a new fitness craze for both adults and kids.

I had the opportunity recently to watch a serious demonstration of how pogo sticks can be added to individual exercise routines, as well as to fitness programs in schools, gyms and fitness clubs. Although pogo sticking isn't for everyone, I came away from the demonstration convinced it may be a wonderful option for those wanting more intensity from their workouts and fitness plans.

First, a little pogo stick history. According to a 1990 article in The Times Herald Record entitled "Fads Come, Go, But Pogo Sticks," the first American-made pogo stick was designed by Illinois baby furniture and toy maker, George Hansburg. His metal pogo stick with an enclosed spring was patented in 1919, peaking in popularity in the 1920s. Although the basic design has remained the same for decades, there are now different models, sizes and action mechanisms. But more about that later.

In the recent demonstration class, there were kids as young as 7 and adults not a day over 40. The class was divided into preteens, those 13 to 17 and those 18 and over. As one might guess, the middle teenage group was the largest, with 11 boys ready and determined to master the art of the pogo stick. The youngest group consisted of three girls and four boys, while the adult group consisted of seven men. It was apparent that all 25 class participants were already in good physical shape, but every one of them was left exhausted by the end of the class.

Although the participants were geared for a good time, the class was not a joke or just for fun. The purpose was to demonstrate the versatility of the pogo stick and the potential it has in the pursuit of physical fitness in schools, fitness centers and individual homes.

None of the participants were pogo stick users; in fact I don't recall that any had even used a pogo stick before this demonstration. Therefore, just learning to stay on their pogo sticks long enough to perform several consecutive hops, both in place and forward, was the only thing the participants accomplished with any proficiency in the 60-minute demonstration. Although there were many humorous moments, every participant sprawled on the floor after the demonstration, exhausted and sweating. Even the so-called fitness nuts were winded, sweating profusely and crediting the pogo stick with giving them an unexpected complete workout.

After the class, the instructors demonstrated pogo stick proficiency and how the pogo stick can be used in fitness programs everywhere, indoors and outdoors. For kids, the instructors demonstrated taking turns twirling a long jump rope, while a third instructor jumped the rope on the pogo stick. They also demonstrated pogo stick sprints, competitions to see who could complete the most consecutive jumps while remaining in place, laps around a small indoor track, jumps over 12-inch hurdles, etc. They talked about pogo stick team activities, as well as individual competitions.

Fun aside, the instructors also provided information about serious health benefits and an unnamed doctor in Arizona who reportedly started exercising with a pogo stick in his home in at attempt to decrease his risk of osteoporosis. According to the instructors, healthcare providers have reportedly documented improved cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, improved balance and overall improvement in fitness levels in those individuals who rebound regularly with a pogo stick.

Finally, there are the extreme pogo stick enthusiasts who take very seriously their times and distances on the pogo stick. According to the Kidzworld website, Californian Gary Stewart holds the world record for consecutive jumps: 177,737. It took Stewart 20 hours and 20 minutes of jumping to achieve the record. Jamaican Ashrita Furman holds the pogo stick distance record: 23.11 miles, completed in a little less than 12.5 hours. And then there are the stunts and tricks, including back flips.

Although using a pogo stick is out of my league, I found the demonstration most interesting. I also learned a great deal about pogo sticks. For example, there are several different types or models of pogo sticks, ranging in price from under $40 for kids to $400 for serious users. The weight, height and durability differ, as do their bulkiness and how they're fueled. In other words, they can be fueled with a number of gigantic rubber bands, an internal spring or compressed air. One particular compressed air model, the Vurtego Ultra, costs approximately $400 and allows the user to adjust the air pressure. It also has a pressure-sensitive digital jump counter and was one of the models used by the instructors in the recent demonstration.

Asked about the dangers of pogo sticks, the instructors asserted that wearing a helmet is a must and gloves a good idea. Beyond that, they said, pogo sticking is no more or less risky than any other activity of today's youth.

When all is said and done, I'm convinced pogo sticking could realistically become another way of formal exercise that's not only fun, but capable of burning lots of calories in a relatively short period of time.

Resources:

Article, The Times Herald Record, "Fads come, go, but pogo sticks," written by Robert Frank on 12/10/90; http://www.pogosticks.com/articles.htm

Kidzworld; http://www.kidzworld.com/article/4950-the-flybar-pogo-stick