The global phenomena of ‘Trampoline Parks’ is finally arriving to the Philippines! What are Trampoline Parks? Simply put — giant warehouses filled with dozens of trampoline “matts” that stretch from wall-to-wall and are connected to form one huge surface which is enclosed with padded side walls and angled trampolines – allowing you to jump, fly and literally bounce in every direction.
These ultra-fun parks first originated in the U.S, a decade ago. They offer an amazing adventure of trampolining fun, including an open jumping court, basketball lanes for slam-dunking, dodgeball and volleyball courts for exciting gravity-defying sports, and even a super-fun foam pit where you can launch yourself from a trampoline into a giant pit of foam blocks. The first Trampoline Park in Manila will be located in ‘The Portal’ at Greenfield district, Mandaluyong (off EDSA near Shaw Blvd). In addition to a soaring good time, the Park will also offer unique fitness classes during weekdays, toddler jumping hours in the mornings and exciting zero gravity jumping parties, Friday & Saturday nights — all performed entirely on trampolines.
“It’s amazing fun, truly enjoyable and healthy…it will make you want to do it… again and again”, says Mark Hogsden, a British businessman living in the Philippines and the primary co-founder of the first Trampoline Park soon to rock Manila. “Trampoline Parks have become extremely popular in the U.K, in America and all over Europe—mainly because they offer incredible fun for everyone -– adults, families and children – whatever the weather!”, adds the brit. “Trampoline Parks are popping up all over the world in recent years, and lately even in asian cities like Hong-Kong and Singapore. It’s about time we finally have them here in Manila!”.
Just four years ago there were only around 35 to 40 Trampoline Parks around the world. Since then –the industry has grown rapidly and according to the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) – today there are over 350 existing parks worldwide. So what is driving this growth? According to Jeff Platt, Chairman of the Board for the IATP, Trampoline Parks offer adults and kids an opportunity to exercise while having fun. “Parents are looking for healthy activities for their kids and the whole family.”, says Platt. The variety of trampoline attractions, like slam-dunking, fitness classes or volleyball games take these physical activities to a whole new level. However, aside from the fun and excitement elements, Manila’s Trampoline Park founder Mark Hogsden thinks the main reason people are attracted to Trampoline Parks is the “Social Element”. According to Mark, “when you combine a fun activity like trampolining with sports like basketball, volleyball or dodgeball, and then add the social factor of friends and families doing this all together – you create a super unique atmosphere!”.
Will this become Manila’s newest top spot for high-flying fun? “We’ve heard so much about the amazing trampoline parks in Hong-Kong and Singapore, all the games they have there and how much fun it is—so we’re super excited to finally build one here in Manila!”, says Cheska Calderon, a Filipina civil engineer from The Living Letters Construction, who together with her father, Pastor Alfred Calderon, will be leading the construction of the 700sqm Trampoline Park in Greenfield. Inside the facility, they plan to build a small coffee shop and a beautiful high viewing deck — where parents can shoot endless photos of their kids jumping, having the time of their lives. However, trampolines are not just all fun and games. Cardio fitness classes on trampolines and even light trampolining exercise have been proven to entail vital health benefits.
Bounce and Burn
“It’s time to get adults and kiddos away from their mobile screens and burn off some serious energy!”, says Mark. Can trampolining actually get you fit? In one word, yes. “NASA conducted a huge research on Trampolines back in the 80’s, in order to prepare Astronauts for space”, Mark informs us. “Surprisingly, NASA discovered that Trampoline exercise is even more effective and beneficial than Jogging!”, he adds. There have been many other studies and claims that jumping on trampolines can help our body process more efficiently, improve our balance, reduce impact on our joints, cleanse our lymphatic system, lower our blood pressure and even strengthen our muscles and bones.
According to one of UK’s most popular newspapers, ‘The Telegraph’,“Studies have shown that trampolining can also improve the mineral content and therefore the density of bones, lessening the likelihood of fractures from osteoporosis.” Jordan S. Rubin and Bernard Bulwer, american weight loss experts and authors of ‘Perfect Weight America’, write that “jumping on a trampoline is one of the best and most complete anaerobic exercises you can do, since jumping strengthens muscles, tendons, and ligaments—and demands great energy.”
The gravity-defying fitness classes at Manila’s first Trampoline Park will incorporate modern athletic training methods such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), circuits, Zumba (and Zumba for kids too!) and plyometrics (explosive jumps). “It’s extremely fun with a full-body workout.”, says Mark. “Trampolining is extremely powerful for your core, because in every jump you need to tighten your core muscles in order to control your body position”, he explains. The unique trampoline fitness classes will definitely be a major attraction among health-conscious Filipinos, but according to Mark – soon they will reveal even more exciting sports activities, “never seen before in the Philippines!”.
Aerial Activities Unseen Before
“We will have basketball slam-dunk competitions every week!”, says Mark with burning excitement. “The beauty about Trampoline Park is that—it will to be the first and only place in town where everyone – even filipino kids will be able to slam-dunk for their very first time!”, he proudly adds. Volleyball and Dodgeball will also be played by jumping as high as you can. The British entrepreneur promises to reveal soon a few more exciting and unique surprises in the form of aerial activities unseen before, that “will jolt the city”, says the brit. But for now, it’s all TOP SECRET, James Bond style. “Sign in to our newsletter on our website, www.TrampolinePark.ph – and you’ll soon find out everything the park has to offer!” he adds.
Trampoline Park is currently offering a limited edition of ‘Founders Membership Cards’, only for the first 500 customers who choose to avail it. The exclusive card will provide customers with a guaranteed 50% off for flying at Trampoline Park anytime on weekdays. So, if you’re looking for a place where your high-flyin’ spirit can jump, bounce, flip and even slam-dunk – Trampoline Park will be the place for you.
For details and updates visit the official website at www.trampolinepark.ph or stay tuned on Facebook at /trampolineparkph