The best workouts are the ones that leave us grinning from ear to ear.
They're the sessions where we move, sweat and push ourselves, but also have fun.
That's why more and more studios are popping up offering 'bounce cardio' on mini trampolines. Not only are they fun, jumping on a trampoline is also an appealing cardio exercise because it's low impact.
This type of activity also exercises every part of your body, helping to increase bone density and maintain bone mass.
It's also easier on the joints than other forms of exercising, such as running.
But we still have to work to pull ourselves up out of the trampoline, which is what helps raise our heart rate. No one can take themselves too seriously when they're bouncing up and down. And, of course, it's a great cardio workout.
As Winnie-the-Pooh's pal Tigger put it, "Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce."
So why not head to the backyard and start jumping for joy?
Replicate a bounce cardio session at home:
- Get on the trampoline for 20 to 30 minutes and high-bounce. High-bouncing is simply jumping up and down, but it'll make your heart rate immediately rise and you'll reap all the benefits of rebounding.
- From there, keep it simple and work in two moves: First bouncing down, pressing your heels into the trampoline while maintaining a squat position. Secondly, run on one spot, lifting your knees up one at a time. Rotate between the two moves, bouncing down for one minute, and then running for the next. Continue to alternate that way.
- Once you feel more comfortable, start to build a combination of different moves, such as star jumps or scissors (switching the feet from front to back in parallel). Play with each, doing four reps of the scissors, and eight reps of a bounce down.
- Use the side of the trampoline to tone as well. Work on your balance by hovering one leg off the side of the trampoline and doing single-leg lifts. The trampoline provides instability, which automatically engages your core.
