How Kate Beckinsale Uses A Trampoline To Stay Fit
Prior to her 20s, actress Kate Beckinsale didn't really have a workout routine. Fast-forward more than 20 years, she now looks forward to her full-body circuit training at the gym and uses exercise to improve her mood (via Women's Health). When she's out of town filming for a movie, she brings along her favorite yoga workouts. When she can't get to the gym, she bounces around in her kitchen — literally.
Beckinsale got into trampolining – also called rebounding — in 2019, and uses rebound classes from the LEKFit app to tone her body. "It makes you feel kind of jolly," she told Women's Health. According to Cleveland Clinic, jumping like a kid on a trampoline does have some serious health benefits. Mind you, the mini-trampolines used for rebounding are just a few inches off the ground, so you're less likely to break your arm than you are on the big trampolines.
Jumping on stable ground recruits your whole body, but jumping on a rebounder requires a little more muscle to keep you stable. Working on your stability can help improve your balance and prevent you from falling as you age. Using a rebounder is a great cardio workout to keep your heart healthy. And jumping up and down requires you to squeeze and release so many muscles, which helps you relieve stress. Let's look at the many ways you can follow Beckinsale's example and use a trampoline for fitness.
Key trampoline moves
Many rebounder moves can be done on the floor, but the trampoline gives you more elevation and buoyancy. Remember to press into your heels to help stabilize you. A rebounding workout might consist of doing one type of jump for two minutes and then moving on to the next exercise with minimal rest (via Women's Health).
To get your body familiar with the rebounder, start with a march in place, focusing on driving each knee up as high as you can with each step (via GoodRx Health). Focus on keeping your core engaged as you alternate each leg. Once you get comfortable, you can work toward a jog in place using quick feet without looking for much jump height. You can also try short hops to help build strength and stability. Just make sure your ankle, knee, and hip stay on the same vertical line.
Once you get the hang of the basic moves, you can amp it up with tuck jumps. Here's where you can use the higher bounce from the trampoline to tuck your knees to your chest while in the air (via Women's Health). Another move is the scissors jump, where you alternate one foot in front and the other in back. Your arms will counterbalance by doing the opposite of your legs.
Always be sure to check your trampoline to make sure it's secure. It's also a good idea to have a safety bar if you're afraid to fall.