Mainly used for outdoor recreation, trampolines can be both fun and beneficial for the body and mind. Although not as conventional as running, jumping on a trampoline can also be used as a fantastic source for cardio and building leg muscle. Best thing about it is that can nearly be done by anybody because of its simplicity.
Trampolines have been used by NASA to train its future astronauts for improved body control, gymnasts and extreme athletes to help practice tricks that would be otherwise too dangerous to test in a real simulation and pilots during WWII to help improve coordination. Regardless of its purpose, trampolines have helped improve each user's health.
Even when you are just bouncing on your trampoline for fun you are still exercising, you are able to burn roughly 230 calories an hour jumping leisurely. By coupling this hobby with a workout plan designed around a trampoline, you can burn up to 3 times more calories than bouncing around for fun. Even if running or cycling at high levels will burn more calories, the amount of stress brought to your body from those activities are much greater than a trampoline workout.
Before even thinking about using a trampoline as a piece of fitness equipment there are a few precautions that should be taken. Like any workout regiment please consult a doctor or physician to see if this will be an ideal workout for you. Once cleared be sure to always stretch and allow a warm up/cool down period before and after the work out. Also do not try this until you are comfortable with using a trampoline in general. Don't forget to refer to the trampoline's instruction manual for proper safety use. You should also be inspecting all trampoline parts prior to jumping on, trampoline maintenance is crucial when constantly using it.
Trampoline workouts can vary in both ease and intensity. There are workouts that are very basic that anyone is capable of doing and then there are more rigorous routines that would only be suggested for more advance trampoline users. It is also wise to start off with basics then eventually branch out towards the more difficult moves. Being able to build a good foundation will make the harder moves more attainable.
The most basic moves to a trampoline workout would be jumping from side to side and jumping backwards and forwards, both done in sets. You should start with something easy by doing 5 sets of 10 of both side to side and backwards and forwards jumping, while gradually increasing the sets or repetitions once at a comfortable stage. If this is getting too easy, try combining both methods by first jumping to one side, then jumping forwards, then to the side again and lastly backwards.
Once a good foundation has been built try doing more trying workout routines and trampoline moves. You can start doing twists, turns, leg lifts, jumping jacks, and even more. Try mastering one move first then, like the basic moves, combine them to make the routine more challenging.
What are you waiting for? Stop reading this and start jumping.
General sports enthusiast with a large fascination with all parts trampoline; everything from springs, history, mats, pads, and the trampolinists themselves. Simply trying to spread my knowledge and love with everyone willing to learn about the trampoline world.
Born and raised in Orange County, California. First saw real trampolining in its 2000 Summer Olympics debut. Had never knew it existed prior to that, but as soon as I witnessed it, I was hooked. I scoured the web and local libraries to find all the information I could about it and the rest is history.
