Trying new activities keeps your mind sharp. As a fitness enthusiast and aspiring daredevil, Santé journalist Esmir van Wering signed up for a bungee fitness class to push boundaries in the fun-exciting zone.
Spotting a Facebook post from Gym Texel—where I often spend weekends—with four smiling women striking cool poses in bungee gear sparked my curiosity. On impulse, I booked a class. Why? Stepping outside your comfort zone broadens perspectives, invigorates you, and reminds you you're alive.
Originating from Asia's dance scene, bungee fitness uses elastic harnesses to enhance movements. The fitness version has exploded in Thailand and is gaining traction in the Netherlands.
My instructor recommended watching YouTube videos first. I was mesmerized by athletes hovering above the floor, soaring in massive jumps, nailing push-ups, and landing softly. Bouncing to the beat like a ninja? Count me in—perfect for bachelor parties too, way more exciting than pole dancing or pottery painting. I'm no stranger to handstands or gym sessions, so I was ready for this challenge.
En route to the gym, I wondered if my fear of heights or lack of bungee jumping experience would hinder me. With help, I donned the harness, tightening straps around my thighs and hips. The elastic hooked to my back made my heart race—like prepping for a skydive. Thankfully, we started on a thick blue mat.
My anxious expression gave me away. 'No worries—it's about surrendering,' she reassured, snapping me into the elastic, cranking up the music, and kicking off the warm-up.
Simple squats tested balance as the elastic sent me bouncing wildly. Core engagement and fixating on a spot two meters ahead helped. Once in rhythm, it was pure fun. Other moves took practice—far tougher than YouTube made it look. The snug harness kept my limbs aligned during jumps, dives, bends, twists, and falls.
Next, backward planks—trusting the elastic like a friend catching you. Instincts screamed no, but I pushed through fears of equipment failure or mismatched weight limits. After a few shrieks—like skydiving—it clicked. Push-ups followed: explosive drops and rises redefined the 'yo-yo effect' delightfully. The harness dug in a bit, but padded shorts help, and elastics suit under or over 80kg.
We tackled handstands, cartwheels, dives, and star jumps (run-up with arms and legs splayed). The dive—headfirst toward the floor—felt like a dry pool plunge. I hesitated, then nailed it after tries, emerging exhilarated despite looking stiff. Adrenaline surged!
Hooked, I craved more: superman jumps stretched legs, back, abs, and smile muscles.
Bungee fitness is full-body strength training with sky-high cardio and fun. Far more dynamic than weights—you're too focused on epic moves to overthink. After 50 minutes (just €7!), I felt like a licensed pilot, though red-faced with minor soreness. A slight headache faded quickly; hip bruises lingered a day.
A week later, bruises gone, I returned for the thrill. Pro tip: seat the harness deep in the groin—game-changer. Moves included lunges, burpees, squats, push-ups (favorite), and hovering like Tom Cruise. Short bursts build muscle, boost metabolism, and trigger afterburn.
Expect sculpted glutes from powerful pushes, ~300 calories burned per hour, and full-body activation—including calves, shoulders, arms, and even armpits (hello, DOMS for 48 hours). Stretching wrapped up session two soreness-free, just beneficial ache.
Final Verdict: Bungee fitness masterfully blends workout and play. I wasn't a superhero yet—maybe after a 10-class pass in glitter gear. Post-class, I bounced for hours, feeling sharp and joyful.
By Esmir van Wering | Images: Shutterstock
