Let's Get Bouncing! (Pro-Fitness Jogger Trampette)

Member Name: Majmun

Product:	Pro-Fitness Jogger Trampette
Date:	28/07/09 (224 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It helps you lose weight and tone up, fun, inexpensive

Disadvantages: Squeaky springs

I bought this mini-trampoline just over a year ago when I was trying to lose some weight. The reason I bought it was because I loved the thought of being able to work out in the comfort of my own home whilst doing something that is a bit different from just the normal running or exercise videos. However after the summer I got a bit lazy with regards to exercise and my trampoline got relegated to the shed. But recently I've been trying to shed some of the extra pounds I gained over winter and am also training to compete in next years London Marathon so the trampoline is out again.

I bought this from Argos for £19.99. As I said, I bought mine back in May 2008 but the price is still the same. It is the cheapest available. There are two others in Argos - a Reebok one that costs £29.99 and an Everlast one which costs £49.99. However, I went with this one partly because of the brilliant price but also good from the description. The specification of the trampoline is as follows:

* Heavy duty frame with triple stitched nylon mat and heavy-duty springs.
* Fabric backed, padded pvc covered frame edge protection.
* Excellent indoor cardiovascular and general toning exerciser.
* Suitable for all ages.
* Max user body weight 100kg/15.7st.
* Diameter 92cm.

You can order this trampoline online and get it delivered to your door but I was eager to get going on it so we reserved online and picked it up. It comes in a large cardboard box and is slightly awkward to carry but not particularly heavy. It fitted fine in our car (a Peugeot 206) so don't worry if you want to pick it up yourself - you don't need a huge car. It comes with instructions but putting it together was fairly simple anyway. The base is ready prepared and all you need to do is screw the legs in and the trampoline is ready to go.

The trampoline is quite sleek looking with the canvas bouncy bit in black and the springs covered up in a silvery grey squidgy edging. It is small in height but quite wide so storing it is not particularly easy. You can put it under the bed or place it on its side and put it behind the door. Its size means that if I don't use it, it does usually have to go in the shed or garage. One day I will have a home with a gym!

The trampoline is easy to use. Well, obviously it's a trampoline so therefore doesn't involve anything too complicated! It does feel slightly different to a normal trampoline though. I was used to ones that were quite soft and bounced you about 10ft into the air. The base of this trampoline is slightly firmer and does not bounce you very high but this is what makes your muscles work harder.

The trampoline does give you a very thorough workout. When I first got it I couldn't actually bounce on it for very long as my leg muscles were not used to it so I had to gradually increase the time spent on it over a few days. When you bounce on it you can feel your heart rate rising and the muscles in your legs working quite quickly. You work up a sweat pretty fast so you know the trampoline is doing its job.

I usually use this trampoline for about half an hour 5 or 6 times a week. I use it alongside jogs and aerobic work outs. And does it work? Yes, definitely. When I used it to lose weight last year I was shedding the pounds really fast and my legs were toned and defined. It succeeds in giving you a great cardiovascular work out and it targets fatty areas, particularly in your bum, tummy and hips. It also tones and strengthens the muscles in your legs at the same time. So this really helps you lose weight and get fit. It is also apparently beneficial to your lymphatic system as well as helping to lower blood pressure, improve digestion, lower cholesterol and stimulate metabolism.

Another reason why I love this trampoline is because it doesn't get boring, even if you use it everyday. Sometimes I can get neglectful of my runs, particularly if it's pouring with rain or I'm feeling a bit self-conscious about people seeing me pounding around the streets. But you never have to worry about any of that with this trampoline. You can do it in your own home, any time of day you want and for as long as you want. You don't have to worry about people seeing you getting red and sweaty and you don't have to travel anywhere or pay a fortune to use it like you do with the gym. You can use it whilst watching the TV or a film so you don't have to worry about missing your favourite TV programmes.

Plus, let's face it, bouncing is FUN. It's like being a kid again but with the benefit of losing weight and improving your fitness. There is something quite liberating about springing up and down for half an hour everyday and the novelty never actually wears off. You can also vary what type of routine you do and integrate weights for a more strenuous work out or you can do bouncing, jogging, star jumps, knee raises or anything you want to keep it interesting! BUT make sure you warm up and stretch your muscles before using it or you will feel it the next day!

My only complaint about the trampoline is that the springs are fairly noisy. I like to watch TV when I do a work out but I have to have the volume quite high to hear it. But this is not a major problem. It just might mean you have to be conscious of what time of day you do it so it doesn't disturb other people in your house. But the springs don't seem to get any noisier the more times you use it. In fact this trampoline has lasted me a long time and I haven't yet had a single problem with it.

I really do think this trampoline is a must have. It's a fun way of working out and actually does the job. It's a brilliant price and the fact that you can use it at home while watching TV is a real bonus. I highly recommend it.

Summary: A great way to get fit at home