WEEK 32
Several months ago on a list of why-not-try places in San Francisco, I read about the House of Air trampoline park. A spin through the website revealed serious training classes for aerialists, multi-week camps, trampoline dodgeball (even writing that fills me with terror from junior high), open air jumping and fitness classes. Having no memory of ever being on a trampoline in my life – and realizing that I may be nearing the age limit for said activity – I thought, how crazy and dangerous could this be?
It’s early on Saturday morning, and my neighborhood is blanketed by low misty clouds. Driving towards the Presidio, I somehow pop out of the fog into glorious sunlight on the Golden Gate Bridge. This sight never stops taking my breath away, and always puts me in a good mood.
I pull up to House of Air, located in building 926 on old Mason Street. I learned from the little history display inside the front door that the building dates to 1921 and served as the Crissy Air Field main plane hangar. What a perfect spot for a trampoline park, and even more perfect given the House of Air mission: giving flight to the flightless.
I had signed up for the 60-minute workout, and with that came a waiver to rival a Tahoe ski resort. (Trampolining is an inherently dangerous activity, bolding theirs). Inside the building were numerous dedicated trampoline areas located along elevated walkways, each surrounded by padded walls and rails and – oddly – ceiling-height netting, which made me wonder, how high can someone bounce?
Our class of 10 funneled into “the Matrix” and picked our spots in front of a tiny and amazingly powerful instructor (I am convinced that when she bounced she was well above our heads). The website called this a “full-body workout class that allows you to bounce, fly and spin while strengthening your core, toning your muscles and burning calories.” It also claimed 10 minutes of jumping on a trampoline equates to 33 minutes of running. (As a runner, I call bullshit on this one.)
That said, jumping on the trampoline required serious core strength to stay balanced. We went through multiple cardio sets of things like jack-rabbits (jump, heels to butt, jump, knees to chest); pike jumps; jump turn left, jump turn right, center giant split jump legs wide; frogger jumps starting at the back of the trampoline, three squat jumps forward, turn, three squat jumps back. My favorite move was a seated falling jump – essentially you put your arms behind you at your butt, hands flat, fingers pointed forward, get some air, jump to a flat position with legs out in front of you, and then the momentum and your hands bounce you right back up to standing. Once I mastered that move, I couldn’t get enough. Our instructor insisted that we always look forward and up – looking down can throw you off balance. Just like skiing – look where you want to go…
Despite the fact that I felt (and surely looked) ridiculous and uncoordinated (this video of the class will leave you laughing), I had fun. If it was closer to home, I’d try a second time. I often consider the fitness level and body of an instructor a good sign for the kind of workout you get. Our little powerhouse was ripped.
And what’s not to love about the little House of Air mascot, a penguin with a jetpack.
There is a reason gymnasts are so strong . . . and ripped. Allegedly the trampoline in our backyard should be good for some exercising and maintaining the core strength. I should try it again this spring/summer. 🙂
Oh man, I’d love to do that! Sounds and looks like a good workout but fun too! Love it!
Hi. Too bad House of Air doesn’t offer the option of a personalized one minute video of the jumper. That would be fun. Some of those in the video were not beginners!! I imagine it went by all too quickly and that one day you will return as it does look inviting, in its own way. There must be such a gravity free euphoria attached to the event, that is a high in itself. Good fun.