Bouncing back into vogue
Bounce your way to health on your own mini trampoline,
Last seen in the 1980s, the act of exercising on miniature trampolines has officially bounced back. A UK company that boasts a world record for the ‘‘most people jumping on trampolines’’ is partly behind the resurgence.
The appropriately titled Bounce has several outlets across the globe, bringing rebound exercise back to life by ditching the stabiliser handlebars and fluorescent Lycra, turning down the lights and cranking club anthems to set the mood for a full body workout.
For this bouncing session it was recommended that I bring a towel and water. Found at the back of a church in Auckland’s Browns Bay, Bounce’s ‘‘Fitbody’’ class promises highly-choreographed dance-cardio routines on pintsized trampolines with the atmosphere of a nightclub.
This class involved 40 minutes of cardio and 20 minutes of toning exercises.
Our instructor Sharon Eynon explained that the most effective way to bounce is to bend the knees, lean forward, engage the core, and push deep into the trampoline.
‘‘If you’re bouncing on the balls of your feet you’ll have more control and every time you jump you’ll be working the abs, too.’’
There was an option to increase the intensity of the workout with weights. No takers. We began moving on the spot: jogging with the feet together, jumping with ours legs at the edge of the tramp, and twisting in a sort of ski jump. The trampolines squeaked collectively in time to the music.
Thanks to the unstable surface, you’re forced to work harder. An intense burning sensation started to sink into my calves. Even standing on the trampoline seemed to engage the legs.
Further intervals saw us perform pulsing squats, sprinting on the spot, and complete different punching combinations.
I used the downtime between intervals to stretch out my extraordinarily tight leg muscles. The requirement of basic co-ordination became apparent as the routines introduced more elements and picked up speed.
There were bouncing knee lifts with clapping, kicking in different directions and more punching invisible targets. The toning section used body weight exercises such as tricep dips on the side of the trampoline and glute-targeting leg extensions on all fours.
Lying on the springs wasn’t the most desirable position to BOUNCE execute crunches, but they’re never enjoyable anyway. It all made for an entertaining workout. I left a sweaty mess, a converted trampolinist. Rebound fitness improves cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity.
Bounce states that its hourlong class burns about 700 calories; my heart rate device clocked in at 663 calories burned.
Sharon states with the trampoline mat absorbing 87 per cent of the impact, ‘‘rebound classes are considered lowimpact exercise’’.
She adds, ‘‘Bouncing also assists with your lymphatic drainage system, flushing toxins out of the body and improving immunity. This in turn also helps to reduce cellulite as your cells get a deep squeeze due to the added g-force from the mat.’’
A study by Nasa has also stated that ‘‘rebound exercise is the most efficient, effective form of exercise yet devised by man’’. Never did I feel at risk of falling through the springs. Sharon says that, ‘‘Like with all exercise, if it is something you have never done before it is important to understand how the class is structured and listen carefully to the instructor to ensure you are following the correct techniques.’’ She adds, ‘‘If you have an existing condition or illness we always recommend sign off from a doctor before coming to our classes.’’
It’s also recommended that you consult a medical professional if you’re pregnant or have recently given birth. bouncefitbody.com.