On the rebound

Claire Sawers rediscovers her inner child with a crash course in trampolining

y training for this Olympic sport began at a tender age. I was three years old. and a friend had hired a bouncy castle for her birthday party. Back then I wasn't really thinking about the cardioy‘ascular favours l was doing my body. or the muscular workout I was getting. but the appeal of trampolining was the same then as it is now. It's fun. it's easy and providing you haven’t just polished off a three-course meal or downed a something fizzy. it's a painless way of getting fit.

Although trampolining is popular amongst children. a growing number of adults are discovering the benefits of the sport and bouncing their way into better shape. Springing around on an elasticated mat may feel more like playing than exercising. but actually. trampolining is a very efficient calorie burner. and an excellent way to build core strength. As coach Lauren Jeffrey explains when I turn tip for a drop- in adult trampolining class on a stormy Sunday aftemoon. jumping into the air automatically tenses all your muscles from toes to neck. so an hour’s session of bouncing can offer the same benefits as a vigorous step class or a gruelling round of sit-ups. Lauren. 24 and her sister Kayleigh. l9. have won medals in the Scottish National Trampolining Championships. and now teach beginners classes.

Hula Hoopla classes Another blast from the past. this playground game is a great way to tighten flabby waistlines. slim hips and improve your Elvis-pelvis dance moves. Dance Base, Edinburgh (wwwdancebase. couk, 073i 225 5525) pay-as-you-go classes Apr 14—Jun 27. ngn Active. Glasgow (www. virginacti've. co. uk, 0 l 4 7 222 6700) runs Hu/aeroblcs classes.

16 TH! LIST 27 Mar—10 Apr 2008

bottle of

‘BECAUSE YOU'RE WEIGHTLESS IT MAKES YOU VERY F LEXIBLE'

Ultimate Frisbee

Peter Kay says it's impossible to look cool when you pick up a Frisbee. FOrget posing and rein in the fun. l't/eekly Frisbee sessions. Sunday afternOOris 2.30pm, The Meadows, Edinburgh, For more info email.- squeezesfz‘ thetangerinecoek. The UK Ultimate Association has a mixed team based at Glasgow Uri/VQfS/l)’. Visit

www. ukultlma te. com

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TRAMPOLINING

What you need

Calories burned Muscles used '-

Who should do it Who should avoid it

Origins

Details

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