Saturday, January 8, 2011

Kangoo Jumps! Do You?

Kangoo JUMPS!  (Yes, it is spelled correctly!  AND its used as both as a noun as well as a verb.)  The NEWEST Exercise Craze to hit our nation!  In countries like Sweden, Hungary and even Canada "Jumping" has been a craze for years.  And now, Kangoo Jumps have become a fun exercise craze here in the US!  Like many other exercise crazes its genesis started in California and has moved east across the country.  It is certainly a new twist on cardio...or should I say "jump" on cardio!  Kangoo Jumps is a safe sports rebound exercise suitable for anyone at very age and in just about any place.

So, what is it?  Kangoo Jumps is probably best described as an exercise that is a union between a pogo stick and Rollerblades.  The shoes look more similar to that of the  Rollerblade's "boot" than to a shoe but the health benefits come from the "jumping" motion.  Hence, the cardiovascular benefit and "calorie kill."   Kangoo Jumps (don't forget the "s" in Jumps when searching the web for information or to purchase Kangoo Jumps or just click the link to go directly to the website.)  is a challenge for the entire body and it is designed to focus on core stability.  It is a low impact cardiovascular workout and is touted on the Kangoo Jumps website of having multiple health benefits which  "significantly enhances the healing process after sport injures or surgery, relieves pain, and provides the opportunity to exercise in a way that will also alleviate some of the symptoms of diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, etc."   The exercise has proven to be very low impact.  The manufacturer of the shoes claim they reduce impact on the joints by as much as 80% compared to running!  Kangoo Jumps can be used indoor or outdoors, on or off roads/sidewalks etc. and they are suitable for use by all ages.

There are some "cons" to Kangoo Jumps and the main con is locating a class.   The only class I could locate in Montgomery County was at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland.  I was also able to Google another location in Laurel, Maryland.  Jumps aren't cheap either since standard models run anywhere from $170 to $230.  The GREAT news however is that according to Kangoo Jumps "meet up" site, you can burn anywhere from 800-1500 calories an hour!  I also was able to locate "testimonials" where individuals were substantiating the high "calorie kill" and comparing an hour of "Jumping" to  "running 5 miles!"  Perhaps this is why Hollywood is going Kangoo!  Celebrities like the Kardiashians sisters are on board and its a major hit on Venice Beach.

So check out the pics and the video below and see if this is a new Exercise Craze you'll be going "Kangoo" for too!



Kim and Kourtney Kardashian