Abdominal Exercise On The Trampoline

Doing abdominal exercises on a trampoline is a wise way to tone up your stomach muscles, vary your exercise routine and get results, according to Aja Davis, owner of New Body Bootcamp in Brooklyn, New York. The unpredictable nature of its bouncy surface allows you to move in ways that challenge your entire body while minimizing the impact on your joints. "A trampoline abdominal workout allows for a range of difficulty for varying fitness levels," Davis adds. By mixing in trampoline ab exercises to your usual ab crunch workout, you'll reach your goal of a flatter stomach and have fun in the process.

History

Trampoline and tumbling can be traced to archaeological drawings in ancient China, Egypt and Persia. American George Nissen is credited with the invention of the present-day trampoline. The idea game for a "bouncing rig" came to the teenage-gymnast in 1930. After years of working to perfect his contraption, Nissen trademarked the trampoline in 1937.

Facts

About 10 minutes of exercising on a trampoline burns nearly 70 calories, according to Calorie-Counter.net. If you exercise on a trampoline every day, in a year's time you will burn approximately 25,550 calories. That translates into about 7.3 pounds of body fat. A significant proportion of this fat tissue is likely to be belly fat.

Expert Insight

In addition to the fitness benefits, jumping on a trampoline is a chance to be a kid again. According to Debbie Mandel, a New York-based stress management expert, trampolines have positive associations that can be motivating for your workout. Trampoline work-outs are a legitimate excuse to re-live when jumping, skipping and hopping were part of your normal day. Mandel suggests jumping side-to-side and forward and back to work on strengthening your core muscles.

Other Benefits

Much like swimming, a trampoline workout burns calories, while being kinder to joints--like your knees. Jumping on a trampoline creates a calorie deficit that can make your system burn stored fat and that could include burning belly fat for fuel. "Trampolines also add variety when your workout becomes too robotic, gets boring and you are less likely to do it, Davis says.

Tone the Tummy

Jump up and down with your knees tucked toward your chest to target the abdomen.

Lay flat on your stomach with your elbows underneath your shoulders and palms flat out on the trampoline. Lift your entire body up as if you were a plank of wood and hold.

Stand with your hands locked behind your head; elbows out to the sides. Feet should be shoulder-width apart. Touch your right elbow to your left knee without losing your balance. Switch sides.

Warning

Practice performing the exercises first on a stable surface before moving to the trampoline. Also, remove any objects near the trampoline that could hurt you in case you inadvertently fall off.

Stop the exercise if you feel any pain especially in the lower back.