Fitness Trampolines at ECA
Nov 15th 2011
JumpSport Fitness Trampolines at ECA 2011
The hotel guests looked curiously at the throngs of lycra-clad and neon, cargo-pant-wearing groups that occupied the second and third floors of the Marriot Harbor Beach in Ft. Lauderdale. Raised eyebrows in elevators by non-convention goers required answers to unspoken questions: “It’s a fitness conference." “Oh, oooh, ooh,” they uttered a bit clumsily. Before departing, they’d either give a cute, self-deprecating quip or make a backhanded joke, and off to their room they would go.
ECA Thrive 2011 was a different show than last year’s. As JumpSport Fitness Trampoline™ had its first run, there was a groove established, and this time around the foci combined not only attracting fitness professionals and enthusiasts to the product, but also courting those who already own the product with new moves, innovative workouts and options for using the JFT. In fact, on the topic of innovation, JFT rolled out the “Plyo Kit” at the show. Essentially, this is a metal stand whereby you can transform your fitness trampoline into the ultimate plyometric tool. The trampoline stands at an adjustable angle and you can be as creative as you want with body weight exercises or, like me, literally have a ball with a medicine ball, including overhead toss, chest pass, underhand squat, dribbling, one handed dribbling...let the athletic surrealist out of its bottle and have a blast!
This year several personal trainers purchased the JumpSport Fitness Trampolines at ECA 2011. Many had taken the JumpSport classes presented at the conference and were impressed with its aerobic, core and health benefits in general. The versatility of JFT to accommodate a variety of populations resonated with personal trainers. They could use it with rehab clients, teenage athletes and in developing a deconditioned client’s cardio and core, for example. The fitness trampolines at ECA 2011 seemed to be selling like hotcakes, the stack of JFT’s getting shorter and shorter; people hauling JumpSport Fitness Trampolines over their shoulder, buzzing to classes or riding escalators; a sight to behold.
As with any trade show, it is common to become chummy with “booth mates”. Ryka footwear happened to be adjacent to the JFT booth. Leilani “Ryka Girl” and I talked at length about shoes, and I mentioned to her that I had written a blog specifically on what types of shoes were appropriate for mini trampoline training. She dashed to her booth and reappeared with a box of sneakers, opened them up and presented me with a bright pair of teal and orange Ryka Aspire sneakers. She flipped them over and voila! A flat bottom! An absolutely perfect fit for trampoline training! Now in addition to cheer, wrestling shoes or Keds, you can add Ryka sneakers to your list of footwear that provide stability, support and comfort while you train your little heart out!
The reviews of the JumpSport Fitness Trampoline™ continue to be outstanding from club owners, physical therapists, group fitness instructors, personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts. Drawing folks into the JFT booth requires no work since people see a trampoline and naturally want to play on it. Of the dozens of people that purchased trampolines, many made “deals” to share them with their kids and an array of interior design techniques for incorporating the JFT into the home were discussed.
ECA Thrive 2011, Ft. Lauderdale proved one year later that the product is dynamic, versatile and well-liked in the fitness community. The innovators at JumpSport continue to tinker away, bringing us cool toys like the “Plyo Kit” and will continue to keep the JFT fresh, cutting edge and a headliner. Come visit the JumpSport booth and take classes at ECA/OBOW New York in March 8-11, 2012.
You can see pictures of the fitness trampolines at ECA 2011 booth, from classes, and read new testimonials on the JumpSport Fitness Trampoline™ FaceBook page at: www.facebook.com/FitnessTrampoline.
Keep in touch via the blog or Twitter, @FitTrampoline as well. Your stories, concoctions, and ideas are a part of the success of the product. What would you like to see more of? What kind of workouts would you like produced? In what format? How do you use your JumpSport Fitness Trampoline™? Where and how do you store it? Inquiring minds wanna know!
Until next week, keep bouncing and share the love. Get a friend or family member who hates to exercise on your trampoline and see what happens. Give the gift of health!
Heidi Aspen Lauckhardt-Rhoades
Professional Fitness Instructor, ACE, AFFA, TRX, Indo, PIA, GROOVE
Dance and Creative Movement Productions
Writer and Social Media Correspondent
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