Health / Wellbeing
Jump around
Welcome to the world of JumpFit: a new exercise class that’s exclusive to Bristol and is shaping up the city’s couch potatoes faster than you can say “Netflix”.
Conceived back in 2015, a JumpFit class consists of 45 minutes of seriously sweat-inducing “rebounding” – a form of High Intensity Interval Training that involves jumping around in a special pair of boots that look like a cross between roller blades and miniature springboards.
According to experts at NASA, rebounding is “the most efficient and effective exercise known to man”, said to reduce body fat, tone muscle, increase agility and build stamina all at once.
is needed now More than ever
As a member of the aforementioned couch potato clan, anything that boasts that many benefits in such a small amount of time sounded good to me, so I decided to give JumpFit a go to see if it really lives up to the fitness hype.
As I strapped on my Kangoo boots at 6.45pm on a Tuesday evening and wobbled about trying to find my balance, I was told that the more effort I put in and the more I “just went for it” the easier I would find it to stay upright. This seemed counterintuitive, but it was entirely true.
If there’s one thing that keeps you moving it’s survival instinct, and the harder you work and more you focus on executing the moves at JumpFit the easier it is to keep from keeling over.
The enthusiasm of the instructors is contagious, and the fact that each set of moves is accompanied by upbeat chart music just adds to the energising atmosphere.
Without a doubt the most fun I’ve had whilst exercising, and the next morning my thighs told me that it was all worthwhile – I’d urge everyone to give JumpFit a go for a workout that’s as enjoyable as it is effective.
JumpFit classes are held on weekday evenings at Arnos Vale Chapel, St Michael’s Church on Gloucester Road and The Park in Knowle. Each class costs £6 or you can pay £50 for 10 classes in advance.
For more information, visit www.jumpfituk.com.