Health Benefits of Trampoline Play
Maybe it’s time to rethink your workout. Maybe you’ve recently made a New Year’s resolution. Or maybe you just need a break from your typical routine. Either way, it’s always a good idea to switch things up in order to stay motivated and stay healthy!
The big question is: is it possible to exercise and actually enjoy it at the same time? Maybe it’s time we go back to being a kid and start jumping again. Research shows that jumping on trampolines is great for your health and your overall happiness.
Weight Loss
Jumping on a trampoline might be the answer to losing those few extra pounds. Jumping is a great cardio exercise that increases your heart rate and gets your blood pumping! After reaching an accelerated heart rate, your body will begin to break down fat. And the best part? You can enjoy it!
Ann Louise Gittleman, author of The Fat Flush Plan, mentioned, “Bouncing off fat… has proven to be an efficient form of exercise with virtually no harmful side effects. Your cardiovascular fitness will excel, and you will be toning your body at the same time. It fires up cellular metabolism, energizing every cell with fresh oxygen and nutrients.”
Health Research Funding.org recommends trampoline exercise as an efficient way to burn calories. They calculated an estimate of how many calories you can burn in a certain period of time.
Low Impact Exercise
If you’re someone who struggles with joint pain while exercising, jumping on a trampoline might be the right fit for you. A trampoline provides elasticity through the jumping mat and springs. This relieves some of the pressure on your knees and hips, as the trampoline absorbs the shock every time you jump.
A study conducted by NASA compared participants who were running on a treadmill to those who were jumping on a trampoline. The objective of this study was to help astronauts recover their muscle strength after being exposed to zero gravity. They found that the individuals who were running on a treadmill, experienced twice as much force on their ankles than on their backs or foreheads. Those who were jumping on a trampoline, however, experienced an even distribution of minimal force.
Increased Happiness
Like any exercise, your body produces endorphins, which boosts your mood and lowers your perception of pain. These chemical reactions that occur when jumping on a trampoline can affect other aspects of your life as well. You will feel less anxious and more relaxed, your self-esteem will increase, and even your sleep patterns will become more efficient!
Try This!
Here are a few simple trampoline workouts to begin your fitness journey. Pick a few of your favorites and start your trampoline routine today!
Trampoline Jumping Jacks: This move will work your arms and legs, while getting your heart rate up.
- Standing with feet together, jump out while extending arms out, up and overhead; then return to the starting position and repeat.
- Perform 30–45 jumping jacks.
One-leg Hops: This exercise is great for your legs, balance, and core strength.
- Hop on your right leg 20 times.
- Hop on your left leg 20 times.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 two additional times.
Sit Jumps: This move will strengthen your core and your legs.
- With arms to your side, jump straight up in the air.
- As you’re falling down again, land on your bottom instead of your feet.
- As you bounce up a little, use your feet to jump up in the air again.
- Repeat 20-30 times.