Lately, I’ve been thinking of ways to have more FUN with my physical activities. Now it’s not as if I don’t do enough exercise during the week, as I’m already quite active. I burn some serious shoe leather in a day with all the walking I do, either when teaching in class or when I’m walking venue to venue. But as much as I love walking, I’d rather be doing it out in the countryside than pounding the pavements!
And on top of all the walking, I occasionally take the wheels of my bicycle out for a spin and I regularly do 3-4 hours of Pilates practice a week, spread across matwork and the equipment. Yes, the benefit and challenge of currently doing my comprehensive studio certificate with Polestar Pilates. But all work and no play makes Jac a dull girl and I don’t just want to do Pilates.
So, what else to do? Gym? Nope, I’m not a gym bunny. I’d rather do a day of de-pilling my jumpers, than half an hour running on a treadmill. Zzzzzz. Sorry all you gym lovers out there, it’s just not my cuppa. Dance class? In theory yes. I used to love going to salsa class but it’s difficult to find a class that doesn’t clash with my teaching. Running, what about running, I hear you say? Fresh air, a constantly changing environment and you never know, you might even get inspired to run a mara….. Now dear reader, let’s take stock here a minute. There’s more chance of Mo Farah taking up crocheting than there is in me ever, I repeat EVER, wanting to run a marathon. Hats off and genuflection to all you folk who do, but I only ever run if I need to catch a train.
I needed to find something that a) was inexpensive and b) I could do at home. A couple of weeks ago, I was idling away some minutes on Ebay deciding whether I would bid on a foam roller on offer when I noticed that the seller was also selling a mini trampoline. TING! went that energy efficient lightbulb. Rebounding on a trampoline would be fun.
The hunt was on. A day later I gave the winning bid on a new trampoline on Ebay for only £25 including p&p! A bargain, as most good quality ones can cost £35 or more. Admittedly, the box had been battered a bit but the trampoline itself was unopened, undamaged and ready to be bounced upon!
Once delivered, it only took about 10 minutes to assemble. After a quick ‘elf and safety check – the hooks of the springs sitting square in the loops, cover properly stretched over the frame, legs firmly tightened – it was deemed ready for its inaugural stress test, i.e. me bouncing the heck out of it!
I took advantage of the blue skies and mild temperature this morning and carried the trampoline outside.
“Er, I think you’ll find I carried it out onto the patio for you, darling”, interjects Mr TCB.
And here is said trampoline (expertly and lovingly placed on said patio by Mr TCB).
Let the games begin!
Ready…
Steady…
Houston, we have lift off!
I was a bit wobbly on the first few jumps but I soon got into a rhythm.
I even devised a mini bouncing routine.
Warm up jogs: 2 minutes
Fast jogs: 2 minutes
Knee highs with pumping arms: 2 minutes
Hopping on one leg for 8 reps, followed by hopping on the other leg for 8 reps: 2 minutes
Knee highs with pumping arms: 2 minutes
Bouncing: Every 30 seconds I did a quarter turn for a different view of the garden: 2 minutes
Stepped off the trampoline for a series of squats, lunges and calf stretches: 5 minutes
Back on the trampoline for fast jogs: 2 minutes
Knee highs with pumping arms: 2 minutes
Then hopping on one leg for 8 reps, followed by hopping on the other leg for 8 reps: 2 minutes.
Waist twists with lifted arms: 2 minutes
Bouncing: every 30 seconds I did a quarter turn for a different view of the garden: 2 minutes
Cool down jogs: 3 minutes
And before I knew it, a whole half hour had whizzed by! My heart rate had been raised (good for my cardiovascular system), my legs worked, my balance challenged.
Verdict? Has the acquisition of a trampoline to the burgeoning apparatus in my possession – “no, you’re not buying a Trapeze Table * to go in the dining room”, shouts Mr TCB, in a slightly frantic tone of voice – put the FUN back into the physical?
A resounding YES!
I know, I know, it’s early days and one test drive does not serious data collecting make. It could yet end up gathering dust, forlorn and banished in the loft. But I loved bouncing, the challenge of balance and co-ordination and being able to mix up my non-bouncing exercises with some rebounding. And I felt like an eight year old kid having fun. And that’s exactly the feeling I was after. Isn’t it all too easy to fall into the trap of exercise being a chore? We all know we should exercise and the physical, mental and emotional benefits it brings, so why not actually enjoy doing it along the way? Please let’s remember to not get hung up on the “no pain, no gain” mentality.
And here’s more on how trampoline fitness can get you bouncing your way to better health.
No spiders, squirrels or flying birds were harmed during this outdoor workout.
Sports bra highly recommended but not included in the box.
- A Trapeze Table or Cadillac as it’s sometimes called is the largest of the Pilates studio equipment. Resembling a cross between a table, four poster bed and climbing frame it was designed by Joe Pilates, primarily for rehabilitation. However, there are some quite seriously fierce exercises you can do on the Trapeze Table which are most definitely NOT for the faint hearted!
