Discover how athletes prepare for extreme situations, ensuring their safety through quality equipment, expert coaching, mental fortitude, and meticulous planning. 

Preparation is key for athletes who push their limits in extreme sports. Whether it’s pulling off a quad backflip on a mountain bike or executing intricate parkour moves, athletes rely on a combination of quality equipment, expert coaching, mental resilience, and thorough planning to stay safe.  

For this week’s blog post, we talked to mountain bike rider Christian Arehart and parkour athlete Lukas Steiner discussing the balance between crazyness and safety and how they prepare themselves for the extreme situations in their daily lives.  

Safety with Quality Equipment 

Bagjump plays a pivotal role in ensuring athlete safety through our advanced airbag technology. Our products are designed to provide the safest possible landings, allowing athletes to attempt daring maneuvers without the fear of severe injury.  

Christian Arenhart credits Bagjump for enabling him to perform these awesome flips we share in our social media. Christian stated, “Quadflips would never be possible with foam pit technology. Airbag technology takes this to the next level. It’s the safest option.” He highlighted the programmability of our airbags, which can be adjusted to be softer or harder depending on the training needs, offering a second chance after a fall. 

Lukas Steiner also emphasizes the importance of high-quality safety equipment. For his team, airbags are essential for safely learning difficult new tricks and enjoying a day of experimentation. “Airbags are great for a day off, just sending tricks or finding out new positions and rotations in the air,” he explains.  

Both athletes agree that reliable safety gear not only protects them physically but also boosts their confidence, enabling them to push their limits further. 

Safety through the Right Companion 

Coaches and trainers are crucial in preparing athletes for extreme sports. They provide the guidance and support necessary to develop both the physical and mental skills required for high-risk activities.  

Lukas underscores the role of well-educated coaches in preventing injuries. “Safety is always caused by good preparation. Our coaches care for the athletic development of our clients to prevent injuries,” he says. Coaches also play a vital role in spotting athletes while they learn new skills, ensuring they can practice safely. 

Christian also echoes the importance of having a knowledgeable trainer. “Trust your training and work closely with your trainer,” he advises. Having a reliable companion who understands the intricacies of the sport and the safety measures needed can make a significant difference in an athlete’s ability to perform complex maneuvers safely. 

Safety through Mental Preparation 

Mental resilience is a cornerstone of safety in extreme sports. Athletes must train their minds to stay focused and calm under pressure. Lukas believes that achieving peak mental performance minimizes risks. “When you find your personal flow or peak performance, there is no risk,” he asserts. For parkour athletes, maintaining a well-trained mind is as crucial as physical preparation.  

“Our athletes spend up to 20 hours each week developing a strong base for their sport,” Lukas explains. This mental fortitude helps athletes handle the stress and demands of extreme sports. 

Christian also emphasizes the mental aspect of preparation. He mentions the importance of trusting one’s training and not letting doubt creep in. “It’s all about finding your personal setting—your favorite push-in music, your crew, or just mental techniques,” he says. By focusing on mental preparation, athletes can enhance their performance and reduce the likelihood of injuries. 

Safety through Planning and Trust in Ourselves 

Detailed planning and self-trust are integral to an athlete’s safety strategy. Meticulous planning involves understanding the risks involved in each maneuver and preparing for various scenarios. Lukas notes that parkour athletes use airbags to experiment with new tricks and understand their body movements better, which is a critical part of their planning process. “For our parkour athletes, we only use the airbag for learning difficult new tricks or just having a fun day off,” he explains. 

Christian shares a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of planning and preparation. “A big fall made me trust Bagjump more,” he admits, highlighting how experiencing the safety features firsthand reinforced his confidence in his equipment and planning. Trusting oneself and one’s equipment is essential for pushing the boundaries in extreme sports. It allows athletes to focus on their performance, knowing that they have done everything possible to mitigate risks.