Family Fun
Flipping good fun
With the weather outside still frightful, Dawn Kingsford has been trying out the latest craze that’s putting a spring in our step - even in the darker days of winter.
A
t this time of year, when it comes to exercise, it’s all about going under cover! Whether you choose swimming, bowling,
classes in the gym, salsa dancing or ice skating, face up to the cold-weather challenge and come up with your own fun way to work-out indoors. The trampoline park is the latest fashion, and across Kent you don’t have to go far to
In the early 1930s, American gymnast George Nissen developed the modern trampoline after watching trapeze artistes perform tricks as they bounced off the safety net. He made the first trampoline in his garage and used it to practice his diving and tumbling techniques. He formed a company to build trampolines and used a variant of the Spanish word trampolin (diving board) as a trademark. He let the public participate in his demonstrations as part of his marketing strategy. This was the beginnings of a new sport. He died in 2010, aged 86, 10 years after trampolining became an Olympic sport.
find one, with Soar in Gillingham, Gravity in Maidstone, Aire in Canterbury and Flip Out in Ashford and Chatham. And for those interested to know ... Yes,
I did have a go (the first time since being advised off my parents’ bed many moons ago), and I loved it; haven’t smiled and enjoyed myself so much in a long time. Te first thing to notice at Flip Out – on
Pier 5 at the Dockside Outlet in Medway – is it’s very inclusive: Open to any age, size and ability, including those with mobility and mental limitations – in fact, anyone who fancies having a go. Tere’s also a café for those who would simply prefer to just watch. Open all week, except on Monday, it’s
the perfect place for adults and families to let off steam in a modern, heated, cushioned environment, boasting fantastic views across St Mary’s Island Marina and a liſt for the disabled. With background music, jump-off
platforms and Olympic and fun-size trampolines running alongside each other, with sponge pools for the kids, you can leap alone or with family and friends. Wear comfortable clothing and buy your special socks on site and it all adds up to a
fun and very reasonably priced way to spend a few hours of your day getting fit. Lockers are also free.
• Bouncing on the spot improves balance, co-ordination and motor skills
• Bouncing puts small amounts of stress on your bones, making them denser over time and reducing the risk of osteoporosis
• Trampolines absorb the impact on your bones caused by running - taking up to 80% of the stress off weight-bearing joints
• Trampolining stimulates the lymphatic system, increasing the flow of nutrients to cells by up to 15 times, and strengthens cell membranes
•NASA found trampolining creates the same cardiovascular effects as running, but in a third of the time. So, 10 minutes on a trampoline equates to 30 on a treadmill
Te Flip Out story began in 2012 when CEO Brent Grundy was watching his son playing at an organised birthday event. He noticed many were too big to enjoy
the facilities and had to sit out on much of the fun. In that moment, he made it his mission to create a play place that would not only entertain children of all ages but also mum, dad, and the grandparents. Te oldest Flipper at Chatham is aged 83.
Mid Kent Living 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
