Jump into a great workout with this unique exercise class in Brockville, Ont.
A new exercise class has 'sprung up' in Brockville, using specialized boots that help to decrease the impact on the body's joints.
And while they may look intimidating, they are very easy to use.
Peak Performance held a launch party on Saturday morning to introduce their new Jump Fit program, the first of its kind in the region.
"We are super excited to offer something new to the community, so put on a pair of rebound boots and bounce around for 45 minutes," smiled Peak Performance owner and trainer Melissa Denny.
The class uses special footwear called 'rebound boots' that fit like a ski boot with a mini trampoline attached to the bottom.
Peak Performance in Brockville, Ont. uses these 'rebound boots' for its new exercise class. The boots fit snugly and the bounce helps decrease impact on the joints. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)
"They are super, super, tight around your ankle so you don't have to worry about rolling an ankle, as a lot of people are worried about," Denny said.
"Everybody can do it. I think our oldest participant today, she's 61, our youngest I think is 25," she said.
Wearing the boots while doing a class helps improve muscle strength and lessens joint impacts by up to 80 per cent, compared to other exercises like jogging.
"Because you are moving your muscles, it's going to be a total body burn," Denny said. "You'll burn roughly 25 per cent more calories than you would a regular work out."
"What I love most about Jump Fit is that it's literally for everybody, you don't have to be in tip top shape, even children can do it," said certified instructor Bridgette Harper.
"It's low-impact but it's high-energy," Harper said. "The misconception comes in because everybody looks at them, they get intimidated, but they are quite easy to balance on actually."
Even though Saturday's class was made up of all women, the jump fit program is open to men as well. The boots are able to handle up to 345 pounds.
"There's that level of buoyancy, not quite like zero-gravity, but you just kind of feel kind of floaty a little bit," Denny said.
"You're a lot more engaged, your back is often a lot straighter, you're standing up taller because you're six inches off the ground," she added.
People who attended Saturday were a mix of newcomers and some with experience, who even own their own boots.
"It's fun! They are a little heavy, you get used to them, but they are like a ski boot," noted Jessica Bishop, who has used rebound boots before.
"I've only done it walking just to get used to the boots, but the class is way harder than I thought!" she said.
"Everyone says they think they are going to fall on them," added Heather Durocher. "I've never fallen once on these and I've had them on two or three years now."
"You can walk your dog in these things, you can push a stroller in these things to get used to it," she laughed. "(People) stop and look, 'What's on your feet? What are those?' It's definitely a conversation piece."
Stephanie Blanchard and Emily Behrens, already Peak Performance members, attended the class looking for something new to try.
"It does look intimidating, but it was so much fun and I think having a great instructor like Bridgette really made the class that much more fun and more appealing," Behrens said.
"Halfway through, I felt it right in my hips, back of my legs for sure and when you take the boots off its intense," added Blanchard.
"I feel like we are set for the day now," said Behrens. "Like you start the day off on a great note like that. Now that I've tried it once I'm excited for the weekly classes to come."
Boots are available to rent or people can purchase their own to bring. Classes begin on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30.
"It's $5 per class to rent the boots, so you don't have to invest," noted Denny. "A lot of people want to do rental just to see if they like it, see if it's good for them."
"If they choose to invest, we are part of an affiliate program with Fit Boots, where you can order tons of different colours and they are customized specifically for your body for your weight," she added.
"It's honestly so easy. It's enjoyable. Once you get started, it becomes an addiction very easily," laughed Harper.
"Come in, give it a try. Everyone is at different levels, so if you are brand new to this, don't be intimidated. Everyone's at their own level," she added.
More information about the program can be found on the Peak Performance website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.