Pogo Stick Exercises

History

George Hansburg patented the pogo stick in 1919. Along with his invention, he told a story about how he came up with this new toy. While traveling in Burma, he witnessed a young girl named "Pogo" who had no shoes. Pogo's poor father devised a stick that would allow the barefoot child to hop to temple every day. While the story may be as much of an invention as the stick, both have stood the test of time.

There are many kinds of pogo sticks available. While they all have the same basic function--which is to allow the user to stand on it and bounce off the ground--they have many different features and designs. The standard pogo stick is a wooden or metal model consisting of a straight handlebar, a straight foot bar, two vertical bars connecting them and a footed spring. Some advanced models have heavy shock absorbers, non-slip handles and foot bars, and wide bases that make them easier to balance.

Pogo sticks have many health benefits. Learning to use a pogo stick requires balance and may take a bit of practice. This continuous act of balancing works out your core muscles. Building these muscles is much like applying an internal girdle, which gives you a stronger back and flatter stomach. Using a pogo stick builds strong leg muscles as well. The cardio workout provided by jumping on a pogo stick burns fat and calories, helping you shed pounds.

While simply learning how to use a pogo stick provides exercise, once you have mastered the skill you can learn exercises that are more advanced. Involve some family members or friends and have them swing a long jump rope while you pogo over it. Practice doing laps on a pogo stick to combine balancing with forward movement. Have a pogo stick race with a loved one or buddy, and see who can bounce to the finish line first. Set a personal record for number of jumps on a pogo stick, and then aim to beat it.

Never use a pogo stick that has a weight limit lower than your weight. If the rubber tip on your pogo stick is worn, torn or missing, replace it before using the stick. Only use a pogo stick on a hard, level surface. Do not use a pogo stick while barefoot. Do not push or hold the pogo stick away from your body while jumping. By adhering to these warnings, you can avoid injury.