A novel exercise and sporting apparatus with improved safety features is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a first resilient arched member having two opposite end zones, and being configured to securely engage with a foot receiving member; a second resilient arched member having two opposite end zones, and being configured to contact a ground surface; a connection element being configured to connect an end zone of the first resilient arched member with an end zone of the second resilient arched member, and a rotation-opposing assembly extending from the connection element toward a ground surface, the rotation-opposing assembly being configured to limit an amount of rotational motion of the apparatus.