The Anti-Gravity Jumper

Remember those great baby contraptions, your parents would hook up to the door frame, and you'd bounce around for hours? Johnny jumpers! Well I made the big boy version today...it's johnny jumpers--all grown up. Ever want the feeling of being nearly weightless...or be able to have an extra long hang time? Read on...

Step 1: What You'll Need

-two five gallon buckets (edit:was using five gallon buckets and found they aren't strong enough, a bucket like the red one we used is better)
-about 100 feet of rope
-a trampoline (optional)
-a harness of some sort (we have a deer stand harness we used)
-weights (like weightlifting weights)
-chain, or a little extra rope
-two pulleys

We had this rigged up in the barn before, both are fun, the barn you get more vertical action and less floaty feeling, over the trampoline it's more of a floaty feel. Both are plenty of fun you'l just have to see what works best for you.

Step 2: Find a Spot

First things first, you'll need to find a good spot to build yours. Like I mentioned before I first built this in the barn, and it worked well, but then I wanted to try this version so I moved from the barn to woods. You'll need to find two trees with overhanging branches at least 4 inches in diameter. I've outlined where the tree branches are to give you an idea. Once you've done that keep on movin...

Step 3: Set Up the Ladder and Attach the Pulleys

Now set your ladder up against the limb, closer to the tree is better, rather than way out on the limb. Then chain the pulley around the limb. After you've finished it on the first limb do it on the second. On the second limb I attached the pulley with rope, wrap it around the limb three or four times tie it, and attach the second pulley.

Step 4: Thread the Rope Through the Pulleys

Now tie both ropes to their buckets, and thread the other end through the pulley. Do it to both buckets and both pulleys.

Step 5: Move the Trampoline

If you plan on using a trampoline (which I recommend) underneath you move it now. Position it between the two pulley systems.

Step 6: Tie on the Harness

Now pull all the rope through the pulley so that the bucket is about a foot away from the pulley. This gives you room to jump, and the buckets don't hit the ground. Do it to both sides tying it to the left and right shoulder straps of the harness.

Step 7: Add Weights and Jump!

Now add equal weights to both buckets, this lightens you so you are nearly weightless. I weigh 110 and I use about 40-45 pounds in each side. You'll lose some of your weight over the pulley system, and if you equal your weight you'll end up jumping but not coming down. You'll just hang there! To run it you'll need somebody else to add the weights, don't try and do it yourself. It also works better to have the person who's jumping walk over closer to the bucket (this gives it some slack and the bucket will come down making it easier to reach. Jsyk the pictures we took jumping, me and my older bro held him up by the ropes, so don't be disappointed if you can't jump like our pictures. I have a video of it in action i'll work on getting it up later. Well have fun, and be safe building and playing with your Anti-Gravity Jumper!