Trampoline exercises are a fun way to work up a sweat, writes Aznim Ruhana Md Yusup.
THERE’S something charmingly childish about jumping on a trampoline.
It takes you back to when you jumped on the bed as a kid, even though an adult would soon reprimand you. Who would have thought that jumping up and down like that is a legit exercise in 2017?
But that is the premise brought by Jumping Malaysia, a gym in Bukit Jalil that specialises in jumping classes.
Each person gets to go on an individual-sized hexagonal trampoline, which has a supporting handlebar to help with balance. Holding on to the bars will also help you jump higher.
According to Jumping Malaysia owner Ritchie Lee, the gym was set up in December 2016 based on a programme from the Czech Republic.
The classes are apparently very popular in South Korea, which was where Lee found out about the exercise.
From the website jumping-fitness.com: “The basis of jumping (as an exercise) is a combination of fast and slow jumps, dynamic sprints and power elements in combination with balancing elements for perfect cardio training.
“Training on the trampolines enhances the complex strengthening of muscles throughout the body, and is thus suitable not only for all who are making an effort to find an effective weight reduction method or increase physical condition.”
FROM THE HIPS
I attended one of Jumping Malaysia’s classes during an event called Fire in the Sky, organised by housing developer Mah Sing in Icon City in Petaling Jaya.
Dozens of trampolines had been set up across the room, and the music was loud and energetic. I half expected the class to play Jumpin’ Jumpin by Destiny’s Child, but they never did. I guess the song, released in 1999, was too old.
Meanwhile, instructor Tan Hui Eng warned that the workout will leave us sweaty, and told the attendees to have towels and water bottles close by.
Then she showed us the correct way to jump. You don’t jump up and down with your body straight, but with a slight forward lean and hands on the handlebar.
And you only move your lower body. The movement is hinged on the hips and knees while your upper body should remain steady. After you jump, you need to land with your feet flat on the landing pad. This is to ensure that your body weight is evenly distributed to reduce the risk of injury, particularly to your ankles.
I find moving on a trampoline easier on the joints than if you were to dance on a regular flat surface like in a Zumba class. The trampoline makes you feel light, the movement more fluid and you feel giddy with excitement.
LEG WORK
It helps to have a clear view of the instructor’s feet as she’s demonstrating, because there’s more to the class than just jumping. You need to move your feet left and right, or front and back in various combinations, and some movements focus on the heel or toes.
We also did jumping jacks and high knees, and you hold on the handlebars for balance and stability. The fancy footwork is often combined with hand movements to make it a full body workout. But always, when you land, you need to have the foot flat on the landing pad.
I did not find the class too difficult or tiring. You sweat quite a bit and it gets the heart pumping, and you can always push yourselves by jumping higher or stomping harder. Overall, jumping is a fun way to exercise and a welcome addition to the city’s fitness scene.
Jumping Malaysia
WHERE: 50-3, Jalan Jalil 1, The Earth, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
WHAT: Jumping Fitness
FEE: Starts from RM30 for single drop-in. Long-term rates varies according to number of classes and duration.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Suitable for beginners
TRAINING ESSENTIALS: Gym clothes and shoes, sports bras essentials
DURATION: 50 minutes
WEBSITE: www.jumpingmalaysia.com