Fancy bouncing up to 700 calories away at Rebounce – the new high intensity dance class where it’s you, a mini trampoline and some funky music
Rebounce is a 45 minute cardio workout that burns between 400 to 700 calories whilst you’re bouncing through four different dance inspired routines on a rebounder, better known as a mini trampoline.
Missie Frank, who was primarily a choreographer, dancer and dance teacher, created Rebounce after finding that a lot of people were intimidated by dance based classes. She says: ‘I know how fun but also how daunting classes can be, especially when everyone else seems to know exactly what they are doing. I wanted to make a dance class less focused on dancing so the participant wouldn’t feel self-conscious.’
The warm-up started off on the trampoline with some stretches, high knees and butt kicks. We then lay on the trampoline with our legs together up in a 90 degree angle to do a series of sit-ups, upright and to each side. Then it was time for the fun to start as we stood up and started with small bounces to get used to the motion and to ensure we stayed in the centre – this is where the mirrors really came in use, apart from being able to watch (and keep up) with Missie of course.
I know how how daunting classes can be so I wanted to make a dance class less focused on dancing so the participant wouldn’t feel self-conscious.
Missie then ran through the basic moves, which included kicking legs out in front you, twisting your whole body from side to side, doing a jumping jack with a couple of crossed legs, bouncing on your heels, and touching your feet with your hands as you kicked each leg to the side.
We did two choreography sections, where you learn two short routines. The choreography sections then lead into our ‘twerk-off’ which is sure to get you sweaty, tone up those legs, tums and bum and also channel your inner Beyoncé.
When I read that there was a ‘Twerk off’, I had a horrid vision of being put on the spot and twerking against another victim, but thankfully this was not the case. Instead, we were all on our trampolines. The twerk was done in a low squatting stance whilst using little (and very fast) steps to bounce and turn around, clockwise and counter-clockwise. This isn’t a competition, it’s a fun workout that really gets your heart pumping.
Once you’re twerked out, you learn two other choreography sections. After we ‘go over all the choreography learnt, put it together and perform the choreography as a whole’ minus the twerk-off.
Like me, you may suffer from poor co-ordination skills but if you miss a step (or five), just continue bouncing. Missie’s not going to make you feel inadequate. In fact, Missie’s enthusiasm, energy and friendly approach is infectious and pumps you up.
The brilliant thing is, Rebounce didn’t feel like a workout – sure, I was sweating a tonne and panting like a bear but I also thoroughly enjoyed it because it was fun and different. I wasn’t constantly checking how much time we had left which is always a good sign.
I wasn’t constantly checking how much time we had left which is always a good sign.
Apart from being fun, ‘you are working all your key muscles, especially your legs and your core through tensing every time your body leaves the rebounder,’ says Missie. ‘Rebounding is a low impact exercise, meaning it protects your joints.’
You work all your key muscles, especially your legs and core through tensing every time your body leaves the rebounder.
There’s no chance of boredom as every week either ‘one of the tracks is replaced or the choreography is tweaked to keep the class fresh, unique and to challenge your brain, co-ordination and rhythmic skills. Each routine will be in the set for approximately three to four weeks and is taught from scratch every week, so it doesn’t matter if you are new to class or a regular – it’s an open class for everyone of all levels’, Missie explains.
Rebounce was officially launched in November 2014 and is only available in Clapham Junction on a Wednesday evening and Putney on a Friday evening although I’m currently begging Missie to bring it to Central London.
Overall, Rebounce is an infectious, fun cardio, high intensity workout for those who want to enjoy exercising rather than dread it, and try something new.
Watch the video and find out more about Rebounce here.
To find out more about Missie, check out her website.
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