I interviewed Steve Carver, the business and product developer for Jumpsport, a company that sells trampolines for fitness. We discussed why older women, or anyone in the over-50 demographic will benefit from using a trampoline as a fitness tool.
Watch our interview on YouTube
Steve is 60 years young and says that he doesn’t believe that biological age determines whether a person can use a trampoline or not. Someone can be older and be in better shape than their younger counterparts.
However, women in the 50-plus demographic have issues that arise with the onset of menopause that lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and pelvic floor issues. Steve has trainers whose clients expressed concerns about using the trampoline because they had a weak pelvic floor and were afraid to lose control over their bladders or other problems.
Improve weak pelvic floor muscles
A Jumpsport trampoline is designed to be stable and has a dynamic surface. It forces the user to engage their pelvic floor to strengthen it. If you gently jump on the trampoline in what is called a health bounce, without your feet even leaving the surface of it, it effectively tightens your pelvic floor. Doctors have put sensors on women using the trampoline and have tested this. They found that it works.
Older men often have prostate problems that cause weak pelvic floor muscles. They also benefit from jumping on a trampoline.
Steve talks about a woman who had osteopenia, which is bone loss common to older women but not as severe as osteoporosis. Her doctor prescribed drugs but her active aging coach suggested she instead use a trampoline and change her diet for three months. When her bone density was tested afterward, her osteopenia had improved. After a year, what was expected from taking the medicine was accomplished by lifestyle changes and using the trampoline.
Disclaimer: The severity of a person’s bone loss or weak pelvic floor is a determining factor that must be considered before using a trampoline. Always consult your doctor if you have these issues first. In most cases, a combination of medication, diet, and using the trampoline will yield improvement.
Trampoline fitness flushes your immune system
Jumping on a trampoline for 10 minutes per day will rid your body of toxins and boost your immunity. Your lymph fluid does not have a pump, so gravity and movement help to move it out of your body. It will not prevent you from getting sick but lessens the severity of colds, flu, and other viruses.
Steve says he has exposed the Jumpsport trampoline to thousands of women over the years and their lives and health have benefited. One secret about the trampoline he divulged in our interview was that it helped women with post-partum depression improve their mood. Most people who use the trampoline feel more energetic and happier after using it regularly for fitness.
Steve has been a fitness trainer for over 30 and has trained thousands of women to use the trampoline. He has come to know their fitness likes and dislikes. They have found the platform to be a fun way to do cardio and strength training.
It is a low impact form of exercise
Most of Steve’s older clients do not like doing exercises that have them banging and jumping on the ground or those that feel like torture. The trampoline reduces ground impact by up to 80%. You not only get muscular benefits, but you will reduce the impact on your joints. This includes knees, hips, back, and neck. You will recover 20% quicker than if you do the same exercises on the ground.
Jumpsport products can be customized
Personalized fitness trampolines from Jumpsport have color and design options to fit your personality. You can choose from a variety of colored cords and frames.
Accessories are also available such as handlebars for stability especially if the trampoline is being used for rehabilitation or balance. Personal fitness trampolines come in 39” and 44”. They accommodate weight loads from 60 lbs (child) to 350 lbs. Steve says they cater to children from age 2 – 102. Jumping on a trampoline will bring back your inner child and the happiness that comes with it. Steve is 60 years old and has been jumping on the trampoline for 13 years.
Jumpsport products are what Steve calls the “Rolls Royce” of trampolines because they are high-quality, stable, adjustable, and safe. They are easy to store and lightweight which makes them portable. They incorporate a bungy cord-based system rather than noisy springs giving them a much softer bounce. The cords can be adjusted for tension depending on the type of exercise or your personal preference.
You can do all sorts of prone exercises on the trampoline which is much more comfortable than lying on the ground.
Jumpsport trampolines are available on Amazon here or directly on its website.