Bungee jumping is an extreme sport that almost anybody can take part in; providing they are brave enough! But what about weight limits and restrictions? Are you worried that you could be too heavy to take part (or even too light)?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered here as I have researched all the major bungee jumping operations around the globe to find out what the weight limits are. But first up, is there a generic weight limit for bungee jumping that’s maximum and minimum universally?
Is there a weight limit for bungee jumping? The average minimum weight limit for bungee jumping is 43 kg (95 pounds), and a maximum weight limit of 118 kg (260 pounds). The restrictions will differ from operator and location, so ask the company specifically.
Please note; those are averages and you can see specific locations lower down the page.
Weight restrictions for bungee jumping
To get the average minimum and maximum weight requirements listed in the short answer above, I researched into 22 of the most popular locations around the world. I compiled the data then worked out the averages.
You can see each location I looked into in the list of countries shown below.
New Zealand
The most popular operations in New Zealand are the AJ Hackett sites in Queensland. Here what the bungee jumping weight limits at the Queenstown jumps.
- Nevis Bungy: from 45 kg (99 pounds) to a max weight of 127 kg (280 pounds)
- Ledge Bungy: from 35 kg (77 pounds) to a max weight of 127 kg (280 pounds)
- Kawarau Bridge: from 35 kg (77 pounds) to a max weight of 127 kg (280 pounds)
South Africa
South Africa has a growing reputation for some of the most stunning locations you can imagine for a bungee experience. As with the other global operators, they do have both minimum and maximum weight limits in force.
- Bloukrans Bridge: from 35 kg (77 pounds) to a max weight of 150 kg (331 pounds)
- Bungee Mogale: from 40 kg (88 pounds) to a max weight of 100 kg (220 pounds)
- Kings Kloof Bridge: from 40 kg (88 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
United States of America
The United States has some of the most diverse jumps in the world. There are even sites where you can jump from mountain trees! Here is a sample of bungee jumping weight requirements from some US locations.
- Bridge to Nowhere, Los Angeles: from 36 kg (80 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
- Highway Bridge 21 Idaho: from 52 kg (115 pounds) to a max weight of 102 kg (225 pounds)
- San Gabriel Canyon: from 36 kg (80 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
- Stratosphere Sky Jump: from 40 kg (88 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
Some operators in the United States will make exceptions to their weight requirements. For example, the Bungee America company who operate the San Gabriel Canyon site will let people heavier than 265 pounds jump… but this will need to be booked well in advance with the additional $30 fee applied.
England
There aren’t many commercial bungee jumping operations in the England. The ones that are available all tend to follow the same weight restriction guidelines.
- Bray Lake: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
- O2 Greenwich Arena: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
- Salford Quays: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 120 kg (265 pounds)
Scotland
Scotland has some amazing locations at the moment. Some of them take place over water, and some over the countryside. Here’s how heavy you need to be to take part with the Scottish weight restrictions for bungee jumping I found.
- Highland Swing: from 35 kg (77 pounds) to a max weight of 150 kg (331 pounds)
- Titan Crane: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 115 kg (254 pounds)
Other notable global locations
Why bungee jump from the same boring location every time? There’s so much more fun to be had by checking out some of these global locations which will make a change to jumping over boring old industrial estates on a crane.
- Corinth Canal, Greece: from 45 kg (99 pounds) to a max weight of 105 kg (231 pounds)
- Macau Tower: from 40 kg (88 pounds) to a max weight of 125 kg (275 pounds)
- Europabrücke, Austria: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 105 kg (231 pounds)
- Niouc Bridge, Switzerland: from 45 kg (99 pounds) to a max weight of 115 kg (254 pounds)
- Phuket Jungle, Thailand: from 35 kg (77 pounds) to a max weight of 82 kg (181 pounds)
- Valgadena Bridge, Italy: from 50 kg (110 pounds) to a max weight of 110 kg (243 pounds)
- Verzasca Dam, Switzerland: from 45 kg (99 pounds) to a max weight of 115 kg (254 pounds)
Why are weight restrictions important?
As you can see from my research, it doesn’t matter too much if you are heavy or light, you should be able to jump in most places. But how exactly does that work, because surely the rope lengths will need to be different?
You’d be right in thinking that, and this is the reason you get weighed before you jump (sometimes even twice).
How much you weigh will make a big difference to how the bungee jump performs, and therefore how the operators need to set it up.
They will get your weight and then calculate which rope category you need to jump from. If a lighter jumper goes first, they will have a different rope to a heavier jumper who goes next. This is how much operations work.
Handy Hint: Did you know that deaths are quite rare in this extreme sport. Statistically you are more likely to die playing football or riding you bike. Here are the statistics in full.
How tall do you have to be to bungee jump?
But what about height restrictions? Is there a limit on how tall or short you can be to do a bungee jump? Not as far as I can tell…
Of all the operators I researched, I didn’t find any that place a limit on how tall you have to be to bungee jump. The only limits appear to be on weight and medical restrictions.
So, if you are short, or even very tall, you should be able to go bungee jumping anywhere in the world!
How old do you have to be to bungee jump?
Believe it or not, the age you can be to jump will vary wildly from country to country. In the UK you need to be 14 years old, but in other countries there are no age restrictions. Crazy isn’t it?
I published a piece of research into how age limits are different depending on where you jump. You can see that study in my guide to bungee age limits.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed my research into bungee jumping weights. Always ask the operator in advance before you book, as the restrictions and limits will vary from site to site.
If you haven’t jumped before, I would recommend reading my tips on how to prepare for your first jump.
You might also like…
Here are some related articles you should also read before you go.
I’d also recommend reading up on the background of this awesome extreme sport in my detailed history of bungee jumping dating back possibly thousands of years!
