Bottoming out - What is it? Is it a bad thing?! .:.

What is Bottoming Out?
“Bottoming Out” is when the user manages to bend their spring so much that the footplate and the bottom of the spring meet!

Below is a picture of Ian (Urbantricker) who is “Bottoming Out” his Pro-Jumps.

When you “Bottom Out” the underside of your footplate and the top of your spring meet and may make a thudding sound. There is a rubber stopper which helps reduce the impact but continuingly “Bottoming Out” may give you a sore back so it is important to upgrade and get the next spring size up.

When does “Bottoming Out” happen?
“Bottoming Out” happens when you manage to get the maximum compression from your springs. (Maximum compression is basically when you can’t bend your springs any further)

This usually happens for a few reasons:
•You are putting a lot of force into the springs
•You are developing a good technique
•Due to your actual body weight
•Your springs are getting weaker

When is “Bottoming Out” a good thing?
•Only if “Bottoming Out” happens occasionally or when you are putting a lot of power in them, is it a good thing.

•When you are “Bottoming Out” and getting the maximum compression from your springs, yet you notice that you are getting more height on your bounce! (If you see the above picture of Ian, he bottom’s out yet he gets excellent height on his flip)

•Also if you are within your weight limit or under it and you manage to bottom them out, you actually have got a very good technique so well done!

When is “Bottoming Out” a bad thing?
•On new purchases… When you put them on but straightaway you notice that the springs bend so much that they look like they have already “Bottomed Out” – This usually means that the weight you purchased was incorrect for you.

•On springs that have been used… If you start to notice that when you wear them they seem to flex a lot more than they used to and have lost their springiness it may be time to upgrade to the next weight limit. You’ll also notice that you start to bottom them out even when you are just walking swiftly.

•If you are “Bottoming Out” frequently without any effort and are not getting the maximum energy return from your springs then it’s time for you to upgrade your springs to the next weight size.

•If you are “Bottoming Out” frequently then there will be extra stress on your lower foot bracket and it will become weaker and break. You should check this part before and after each use.

If you have any questions just ask, there’s a few discussions on this topic throughout the forum so you may want to check them out first, but if you can’t find the answer you are looking for do create a new topic!