If you are looking for a fun fitness class in Islington, look no further. Bounce trampolining class is a fun high-energy class guaranteed to get you sweaty. Read on to find out about my experience as a Bounce participant.
I adored bouncing on my trampoline as I child, so when I discovered Bounce, a fitness class based entirely on the trampoline, I was eager to sign up and relive my younger bouncing days. I feel a mixture of excitement and nerves as I arrive early to the class, keen to secure a trampoline hidden at the back.
Founded in 2014 by Kimberlee Perry, Bounce is the world’s leading mini-trampoline fitness brand and is now a worldwide franchise with classes offered across the UK and as far as Australia and the USA.
Classes are a mixture of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and toning routines performed to high energy club tunes while bouncing on an individual trampoline. There is a lot going on. Their tag line is “FUN FRIENDLY FIERCE” and the class claims to achieve weight loss up to three times faster than floor-based exercises while also building core strength quickly. The aim of Bounce isn’t necessarily to jump high, it’s about control and jumping in time with the beat, engaging the hamstrings, quads, and core.
The fun fitness class room is in a small community hall space, Caxton House, scattered with mini trampolines like UFOs just landed from some far-off planet. Disco lights dance in circles around the room and my feelings of anxiety are instantly put at ease as instructor Rosy Summerbell welcomes me into the class.
“You will go wrong, but everyone goes wrong,” she reassures me upon learning it is my first class.
After two years as an attendee herself, Rosy trained to be an instructor in December 2020, yet due to the pandemic and problems finding a premises, she only opened her franchise in Archway last September. “Everyone here is a beginner,” she explains, “even if they’ve been coming since September.”
As the women filter in, I feel more and more at ease. There is a real sense of camaraderie, and Rosy knows each attendee by name. It is an inclusive group with ages ranging from early 20s to late 50s.
One of the attendees, Julie, introduces herself to me. Clearly a Bounce addict, she comes as often as she can, sometimes even squeezing in three classes each week.
My main fear is falling off the trampoline, and I step on tentatively. “Oops” Julie exclaims as she rushes to take off her glasses, “otherwise these will go flying.”
Every other Thursday Rosy also offers Bounce Beats. Similar to Bounce but with weighted drumsticks the class works the upper body as you raise the sticks and hit the trampoline. As Julie puts it: “You just beat the crap out of the trampoline, it’s amazing!”
Crystal chooses the trampoline next to mine. Previously a Bounce regular she has taken a few months’ break and this is her first time attending the class in Archway. “You’ll get there,” she reassures me. “I’ll be a bit rusty anyway because I haven’t done it in a while. It’s the squats and ab stuff that are really like ‘aaaah’.”
The music begins. “Basic bounce,” Rosy instructs. With feet slightly apart, legs bent, hands on hips, we lean forward and bounce, pushing our weight into our toes and engaging the core throughout.
The next 30 minutes is filled with high knees, star jumps, squats and 360 rotations, all encouraged by Rosy’s woops. Hairbands are flying across the room, quite literally, and I am soon sweating profusely. People are going wrong, but it doesn’t matter, we’re having fun.
I can’t quite relax into the movements. Every inch of my being is focused on copying Rosy and not overstepping, or jumping and falling off my trampoline, yet as we start clapping and Rosy yells “get those arms UPPPPP, the roof is on FIREEEE,” I realise I am enjoying myself.
After the fun fitness class, my legs feel light and unstable as I step off the trampoline for a quick water break, like Bambi on ice. “You’re doing really well!” Rosy tells me. “You haven’t fallen off, that’s a bonus.”
An arm toning track, to Tinie Tempah’s “Frisky” comes next, followed by more HIIT and a sprint track. Suddenly we are all face to face, fast and furiously pounding our feet into the trampoline. I catch a glance at the other women’s focused faces, the woman opposite resembles a determined squirrel, teeth out, ponytail bouncing. Out of the corner of my eye I see Rosy is filming us for the Instagram story. “Brilliant,” I think, there is video evidence of this, thank God I have a good sports bra.
The class ends with abs and glutes. Lying down on the trampoline may sound easy, but don’t be fooled. Within three quick tracks my glutes are screaming, and my belly button is on fire. As we combine donkey kicks, and crunches, the pain becomes audible as women groan and curse aloud. As the final eight bicycle crunches unfold, we collectively chant the countdown, attempting to distract us from the pain. Then the music stops, and we collapse across our trampolines.
We made it; we didn’t give up. The power of group exercise prevails yet again. One thing is for sure, I will ache in the morning. But you know what they say: “No pain no gain.”
Where?
Caxton House Community Centre in Archway.
When?
Tuesday – 7pm
Wednesday – 7:30pm
Thursday – 9:35am
What do I wear?
No fancy gym wear is required, wear whatever you feel comfortable in!
Top tips?
We would advise that you don’t eat anything too heavy beforehand, and definitely empty your bladder to avoid any accidents!
Can I bring my children?
Yes! Children aged 8+ can participate with adult supervision.
Click here to book onto a class
