Of all the props that have been incorporated into barre classes, a mini trampoline or rebounder as it’s sometimes called, just might be the most fun. Studios everywhere are adding “bounce” classes to their schedule as demand rises for high-intensity workouts.
Bounce classes make use of individual mini trampolines. They are designed to tone your body, increase circulation, balance and endurance. The class format usually alternates between time on the trampoline for cardio bursts, then to the mat or barre for exercises that strengthen and lengthen.
My Experience with Barre Bounce
Eager to try a class myself, I took a day trip to Buffalo, New York to try out Barre Bounce at Barre Centric. Though I didn’t anticipate the class to be a cake walk, I did envision myself experiencing the same endorphin rush I would have had from a session on a trampoline as a 12-year-old. How wrong I was! Those trampolines are serious business. Even after the first minute I was pretty exhausted. Despite my serious lack of coordination, I enjoyed the 45 minutes I spent working up a sweat.
The instructions were to push down into the mat as opposed to bouncing up, which may seem counterintuitive but this adds to the resistance and increases the challenge.
We started off with some high-knees, followed by a series of bounces that alternated between jumping jacks and side-to-side twists. Next, we picked up our wrist weights to add another layer of difficulty. A few more bounce sequences and we were down on the ground, using the rebounder to do push-ups and tricep dips with. A similar series was repeated again but then we added some exercises at the barre for thigh work. Finally, it was time for core work on the trampoline and before I knew it we were already in the last few minutes of class, stretching out our muscles.
Why the sudden interest in bounce classes?
I wouldn’t say that bounce is a trend that has appeared out of nowhere. Incorporating the mini trampoline into workouts has been around for a long as there has been a mini trampoline to bounce on.
Trampoline-based workouts have been part of the fitness industry since at least the late 1970s. I’ve noticed within the last year, however, that they have been gaining popularity in the barre community. I think it was just a matter of time before the barre world took notice of the benefits of bouncing and started offering barre/bounce fusion classes.
In my opinion, I believe owners are always looking for ways to evolve their offerings. Pair that with students requesting more cardio-based workouts, and I think we’ll keep seeing new equipment being introduced into a traditional barre workout. Pure Barre’s Pure Empower class is a perfect example of this.
BarreWell Fitness Studio out of Mission Viejo, California recently added a BOUNCE class to their weekly schedule. Owner and instructor Traci Schlotterbeck said that the technique they used is dance-based and has more cardio than a typical barre class, so she had a very good feeling that a bounce class would be well-received.
She was right. Every class has had a waitlist since they introduced BOUNCE classes during the middle of April. “I have never seen such an awesome response to a new class format. Once you take a class, it’s easy to see why.”
“I call my clients Cardio Queens because they are always looking to push themselves further. We are having so much fun putting together series and skills that compliment what we already love about barre and also using the trampolines to take things up a notch and get a little more gritty with it… I’ve never seen so much sweat in my studio and it’s AWESOME.”
A member of the BarreWell team poses for a photo, advertising their new bounce class. Source: Instagram.com/barrewell
BarreWell’s bounce class format alternates between bouncing and sculpting as it would be very difficult to sustain a full hour on the trampoline at the intensity that students bounce with.
She wasn’t joking about the intensity. Before trying a class, I never imagined I could get so tired from just a few exercises on the trampoline. The pace was very quick and my coordination with the music was off, so it took some getting used to.
The adrenaline rush is addicting and there is no better way to shed fat and sculpt!
Colorado-based Barre Forte also recently rolled out a Bar(re)bound class at their Highlands Ranch location and a BARRE TRAMP class at their Westminster location. Co-owner Nadia Walker said that “we decided to introduce bounce because it’s such an amazing high-calorie burn with the low-impact benefits that barre provides. The adrenaline rush is addicting and there is no better way to shed fat and sculpt!”
Members of the Barre Forte team pose for a photo, advertising their new Bar(re)bound class. Source: Instagram.com/barrefortesm_hr
If you need an excuse to release some stress, there is nothing more fun than bouncing on a trampoline. Not only does the trampoline provide you with a fun way to get your cardio in but you’re still strengthening and lengthening with more traditional barre exercises. If you’re looking for a high-intensity total body workout, then you’ll like bounce classes.
Have you tried a bounce class before? Was it love at first bounce? What did you think? Let us know in the comments section.
