Trampolines - Fun And Fitness Combined

Trampolines are a great way of combining exercise and fun for the entire family - why not invest in one?

If you're looking for a new way to add some fun to your backyard activities this season, why not consider a trampoline? Not only are trampolines a lot of fun, but they are also good exercise for you and the kids. And of course, they get the family out of the house, away from the TV, computer and video games and into the fresh air!

Trampolines are good exercise you say? Well yes, they are. Jumping up and down on the elasticized surface is great for strengthening the cardio-vascular system and it is also an excellent workout for almost every muscle and organ in your body. The rebounding action that happens when someone jumps on a trampoline is similar to a low-impact workout, but is easier on the back and joints because you are bouncing on the rubberized mat instead of landing on a hard surface. Jogging on a trampoline instead of the ground is better for you or the kids as well, for the same reason. Exercising on a trampoline can also be very helpful for adults and children because it helps to improve reflexes, flexibility, balance and coordination.

For those who might be concerned about safety issues, there is no longer a need for worry about things like accidentally landing on the ground instead of the trampoline surface either. If you are thinking about purchasing a trampoline, you can also buy a webbed, nylon safety net which fits around the entire circumference of the trampoline to keep all the happy jumpers right where they are supposed to be - on the trampoline. Depending on the size of the trampoline, you can get an appropriately sized safety net which attaches to poles that wrap around its entire perimeter. Then, if a jumper bumps into the net, it pushes them right back onto the trampoline instead having them landing on the ground! No worries!

There's also all kind of accessories you can use to add even more hours of fun to your trampoline activities. How about a basketball hoop that is specially manufactured to attach to the safety net frame? Think about how much fun the kids will have with their friends or siblings bouncing up and down, dunking the ball into the net. Kids love adventure so why not a tent that fits on top of the trampoline? Make it the setting for their next sleep over party. You can set the tent up on the trampoline surface and you've got another safe and fun way to satisfy their quest for excitement. There are even party kits you can purchase that come with all kinds of games that are specially designed for the trampoline. The packs come with things like jump ropes and specially-made, washable chalk for drawing pictures or an oversized tic-tac-toe game on the mat. Or draw a hopscotch board on the mat as another amusing game idea. Imagine the laughter coming from the kids as they hop around the board - priceless.

Trampolines are a fun, safe and healthy new way to entertain yourself and the kids. And you won't have to worry about where they are either because they'll be having a blast, right in your view, right in your own backyard!

Jump Rope for the Ultimate Cardio Workout

Our favorite form of cardio at the Exercise Equipment Fanatic is jumping rope. Jumping rope burns more calories per minute than just about any other form of cardio exercise. If you've never tried it before you are really missing out. It does, however, take some time to get your rhythm down as well as to build up enough stamina to be able to do it for more than a few minutes at a time. But they are definitely are a great way to get in a fun, challenging, and intense workout.

By the way, if you don't already own one you can pick one up online for less than 8 bucks!

To get started, you'll want to make sure you are using the proper jump rope length, otherwise if the rope is too long or too short, you'll constantly be tripping yourself up and get frustrated quickly. It's easy to determine the proper rope length. Simply step into the middle of the rope with either foot and pull the handles up towards your armpits. You want the rope ends to stop right at your armpits, if they do not reach your armpits the rope is too short, likewise if they extend past your armpits the rope is too long.

There are also a number of different kinds of ropes as well, speed ropes, beaded ropes, leather ropes and ropes with weighted handles. We recommend you just start with a basic cloth or leather rope and then move on to a speed rope or weighted rope. Beaded ropes are good if you plan on jumping outside, since they take longer to wear out. Weighted handle ropes typically have a pound or so each in the handles. While this doesn't sound like much, those little weights give your shoulders a great workout, and until you are used to them you'll probably have to take them out after just a couple minutes. Speed ropes are made of a thin vinyl cord and are really the best kind to get for cardio fitness. This is the same kind that boxers typically use.

Once you choose your rope you'll want to start performing some jump rope workouts. We recommend starting slow and overtime building up your endurance and skill so that you can really get in the zone. Before we get started with the jump rope moves you should learn first, we want to briefly remind you of the benefits you get from jumping rope.

As mentioned before, you can burn a LOT of calories jumping rope. Of course, you will have to master the movement first, but once you get it down, you can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour! You don't need a ton of space either, just make sure to have the proper overhead clearance. Jump ropes are also very inexpensive and portable, so you can easily pack them in your suitcase on a business trip or take them to your local park and get a nice workout in.

Basic Jump Rope Moves

Once you get good at it, jump rope workouts become really fun. And that, to us, is the biggest benefit of all because the more fun an exercise is, the more you'll want to do it! So let's go over some of the more basic jump rope moves to start off with:
Basic Hop - This is the old fashioned one hop where you just use both feet at the same time to jump over the rope
Alternating Jumps - This is where you hope back and forth from one foot to another
Single Foot Jump- Just as the name implies, jumping over the rope while standing on just one foot.
Front and Side Straddles - You perform this jump by splitting your feet in the air and landing on them either wide apart or with one foot in front of the other
Running In Place - This jump can be a little tricky. You have to spin the rope a little faster until you are essentially running in place while the jump rope passes underneath you
Remember, it's a good idea to mix in all the different jumps mentioned above and will probably take some practice for you to be able to do so. Once you can perform the above jumps with ease you can move onto some of the more advanced moves such as double and even triple unders, criss-crosses, heel jumps, backwards and a bunch of others. The point here is that there is always more you can learn.

Some final tips to remember when you are doing your jump rope workouts and learning the different jump rope moves:
Jump on the balls of your feet
Stay relaxed
Try to use only your wrists when swinging the rope
Find your rhythm
and practice, practice, practice!

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