For most Australians, trampolining is a popular past time. Just the thought of jumping on a 10ft round summit trampoline makes us excited. That’s why trampoline parks are becoming so popular, providing recreational facilities for both children and adults who enjoy being active.
But trampolining is much more than just fun and games!
If you think trampolines are just for kids, you might want to rethink that! There’s more to the usefulness and strength of trampolines. As per NASA research report of 2006, a trampoline workout, also known as rebounding, is nearly 70% more effective than jogging on track for the same duration of time. And let’s face it: it’s so much more fun!
Trampolining is also one of the best low-impact sports. Even with the most vigorous of workouts, your put less impact on bone and joint. Due to this trampolining might be safer for some people as it inflicts less impact than other forms of exercise such as running or jumping.
In another study conducted in Singapore, it was concluded that six weeks of trampoline training can be as effective as resistance training to improve knee muscle strength and dynamic balance in young women and men.
In this article we’re going to look at how trampolining can help you build muscle strength and why this workout should not missed by anyone who is into health and fitness.
The perception that low impact means “less effective” is wrong. Trampolining can be incredibly effective at working an extensive range of muscle groups and maintaining your body in its best possible shape and form.
It’s highly recommended that you warm up and stretch before a trampoline workout to avoid straining your muscles. Walking lunges and quad stretches are good for this purpose.
Let’s see which body muscles are strengthened by this low impact exercise.
Rebounding works out your core including muscles around your spine and the abdomen. It could actually be a more effective core workout than crunches or situps that put a lot of strain on your back.
Most core exercises only focus on the abdominal muscles and not the back. Your back muscles are not only critical in helping you lift weights, they also protect your spine from routine shocks while you walk, jump or run.
This is not the case with trampolining. It can engage muscles around your spine and tightens them. This makes muscles protect your vertebrae from shaking or dislocating. Remember, focusing on your whole core is important for a well-rounded fitness routine.
Every time you jump and land while trampolining, you tighten your entire core muscles and then releasing them again with the next jump. This makes for an excellent and thorough core workout.
Trampolining is super effective for your lower body as well, particularly your legs, thighs and the gluteal muscles around your butt. Regular trampoline workouts will result in stronger and more toned thighs and butt. Moreover you will not be putting too much strain on your ankles or knees.
If you want to flaunt well-toned legs in that new pair of jeans or yoga pants that you’ve bought, you better start hopping on a trampoline.
Repetitive trampoline jumps also help building calf and hamstring strength. It naturally activates all parts of your calf and hamstring muscles while you leap up and down in the air. As a result, you will get slimmer calves, shaped up hamstrings and stronger joints just by jumping on a rectangular trampoline 15-20 minutes per day.
Trampolining also works out your gluteal muscles, more commonly referred to as the glutes. They are responsible to give stability to your pelvic region and control hip movement. With every jump, these muscles power you through the upward life and then control the descent. In the process, they grow stronger.
While rebounding doesn’t target your upper body directly, you can also get your arms in on the action for a great upper body workout. You can extend your arms straight out – jumping jack arms – while doing the jumps.
For an even better workout, consider carrying weights or wearing ankle and wrist weights to increase resistance while jumping. However, it’s best that you try these once you pass the beginner level.
We often forget that the heart is also a muscle and a good aerobic cardiovascular exercise can tremendously increase its strength. Trampolining is one of the best exercises for this purpose. It can get your heart pumping within seconds, helping it become stronger just like the rest of your muscles.
As little as 20 minutes of trampolining can be as effective for your cardiac muscles as running for an hour. Doing just 30-60 minutes of this low intensity aerobic workout five times a week can be instrumental to a healthy lifestyle and body. If you can aim for that frequency and interval, it can go a long way in helping u build the muscles you’re looking for.
As you can see, trampolining or rebounding is a great way to get a full body workout that helps build muscle strength throughout the body. In addition to this, it has several other health benefits like improved immune system, weight loss, better organ function, and even enhances lymphatic system.
Therefore there’s no reason for you to not give it a try if you’re a fitness freak.
You can hit a trampoline park or get one for your home. If you’re looking to buy trampolines in Australia, head straight to Oz Trampolines. They are ranked as Australia’s best trampolines because of their highest quality materials and exceptional customer service.