The Workout Routine You’ll Want to Jump Right Into

Amanda EttyUpdated: Jun. 26, 2019

It'll get your heartrate up, help you de-stress, and more—but our favourite thing about rebounding? It's so much fun.

misfit studio — Photo Credit: Shuttestock

You likely have childhood memories of going bananas on a trampoline and experiencing how truly uplifting a few minutes of jumping can be. It turns out that bouncing on the trampoline is heart rate-boosting and stress relieving for people of all ages!

Fun Fact

The rebounder, or mini trampoline, took off after a 1980 study from NASA found rebounding to be a more effective workout than running. But like other eighties fitness fads (think Jazzercise and Callisthenics), it lost momentum.

Rebounding Today

Celebrity fitness trainers helped revive this workout and Instagram helped to popularize it. Picture Busy Philipps drenched in sweat taking selfie videos at L.A.-based LEKFit led by Lauren Kleban. “It offers a full body workout that’s low-impact and offers quick results,” says Simone de la Rue (of Body By Simone), trainer to Reese Witherspoon and Chrissy Teigen. It’s true—this workout is a great option for those whose joints won’t support jumping on the ground due to the gravitational landing support of the trampoline.

Where to Jump

A rebounder takes up less space than say, a treadmill, so it also makes getting a sweaty celebrity workout at home feel more attainable—not to mention that it’s super fun. (If you choose the at-home route, just make sure to pump up the music). More studios outside Hollywood are offering rebounding classes, and trampoline gyms that give adults and kids huge areas to jump are everywhere these days. If you’re in Toronto, Misfit Studio’s Get High is an upbeat bouncy movement class set on rebounders. This is a full-body workout that’s about joy, playfulness and just lightening up. “Jumping, similar to dancing, releases a cascade of endorphins, adrenaline and serotonin through the body,” says Amber Joliat, founder of Misfit Studio. “This rush elevates a feeling of euphoria from within. I call it magic.”

The Benefits

Since making a comeback, there have been plenty of claims about the benefits of rebounding, from improved cardiovascular health, increased circulation and better balance. “Jumping on the trampoline also benefits the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of bacteria, toxins, fat globules, trapped protein and dead cells,” says Joliat. “It’s a release.” You can probably attribute many of these positive effects to physical activity in general since there isn’t a ton of scientific research on the benefits of rebounding in particular. That said, if you’re moving your body, getting sweaty, and having a good time, you can’t go wrong. (Also, exercise might just be able to replace the medication for what ails you.)

The Recovery

When it comes to recovery, take note: Your calves will feel this workout. Joliat suggests taking a warm Epsom salt bath to soothe sore muscles (or try one of these bath bombs). “Magnesium helps ease the sensations of being worked,” she says. “But really, the best thing to do is to move your body in another way.” Take a different class or do a workout that emphasizes lengthening, strengthening, or stretching the body out (think yoga or Pilates not running or HIIT). And once you bounce back, get back on the rebounder since you can’t beat the feel-good benefits of jumping for joy!

Essentials

To jump at home: A mini trampoline that isn’t impossible to store at home.
JumpSport mini trampoline, from $299; jumpsorttrampolines.ca

To jump at home: LEKFit is available to stream online, so you can do this cult-favourite workout from your living room.
LEKFit, $20 US/month; lekfit.vhx.tv