Trampoline training styles

Trampolining for health and fun

Choosing to work out using a trampoline has many health benefits. It improves flexibility, is great for cardiovascular health, helps improve balance and coordination and it significantly strengthens the lower part of the body.

It also is a low impact sport and it does not have a great risk of wear-and-tear-based injuries. Of course, in some types of trampoline training, like cheerleading and gymnastics, neck and head injuries are a danger and this is why training should always happen in the presence of an experienced coach and with safety equipment.

Trampoline gymnastics

• The sport itself was introduced as an Olympic sport in 2000 but many athletes have been practising it decades before, due to its health benefits.
• The goal of people training professionally for trampoline gymnastics is to perfect a routine that consists of ten contacts with the trampoline mat, starting and finishing the routine standing up.
• While in the air, there are three recognized postures that the athlete can take: tucked, piked and straight.
• The great thing about trampoline gymnastics is that it is easy for beginners and kids do not get discouraged, especially since training is fun.

Cheerleading

• Trampolines are also used in cheerleading routines.
• The standard, vibrant routines of cheerleaders are taken to a whole new level when performed on a trampoline.
• It takes practice and there is a higher risk of injuries, especially since more than one person is using the trampoline at the same time, performing risky flips.
• If your kids are into cheerleading, be sure to get a trampoline big enough to allow them space to practice safely.
• Make sure that during their practice there are no more cheerleaders on the mat than the trampoline can handle.

Sports training

• Many extreme sports now recommend trampoline practice as part of their skill building.
• Skateboarding,  skiing, water skiing, surfing, snowboarding etc all consider practice on a trampoline to offer safer landing for beginner tricks and a place to practice when not actually on the water or snow etc.
• Vuly Trampolines have designed and now supply sports decks for these very sports.

Parkour

• Another extreme sport that has merit in safe training happening on a trampoline in parkour. 
• Not ideal for general jumping but the trampoline can be put up against a fence or wall for ease of running up and flipping.

Cross-fit training

• Trampolines are also used in fitness training on their own or as part of a cross-fit routine.
• As bouncing is fun, users tend to perceive trampoline exercises as easier than other aerobic routines and are more motivated to practice them.
• When it comes to cross fit, jumping on a trampoline is a great way to warm up and cool down at the beginning and end of your training respectively. 
• You can also wear a weighted vest while jumping or hold weights to exercise your arms along with your legs.

Trampoline fitness classes

• This is a high cardio burn class that takes the use of a trampoline re-bounder to a whole new level.
• The speed and intensity isn't for the feint heartened, burning calories on a trampoline can be quite high - pending participants weight and intensity. 
• Many of the trampoline parks and trampoline play centres offer classes - check out some in your local area.

Trampoline water aerobics

• This is something I would like to try but there isn't anywhere local to me that does this.
• Ask at your local pool.
• This can be very good for a softer impact on your joints and balls of feet compared to the contact with the bottom of the pool.
• Also beneficial for short people to have something to stand on (that's me!)!
• The workout looks, from videos I have watched, to be fast-paced and a full body work outs.

These are the most common trampoline training styles. There is something for everyone, from the competitive athlete to the person struggling to lose weight to the fitness maniac. Of course, there are many other uses for trampolines, like dancing on it or trying out complex acrobatics choreography. Even just jumping up and down will tone you a great deal!