‘Two goes please’ said the old man proffering a handful of coins which I took to be the hard won savings of his grandson who was already removing his shoes. Then as Grandad started to take off his shoes it dawned on me. I apologised for assuming that the boy was going to stay on for another turn and and enquired as to Grandad’s age. 72 he replied. ‘This keeps me fit and supple’. I then watched in amazement as Grandad completed simple routines that included neat somersaults and baranis. OK that is a little exceptional but the point here is that bouncing on a trampoline is fun and surprisingly easy to do at a simple level. It also just happens to be one of the most complete forms of exercise that you can do. It’s right up there with swimming, running and walking, but for older bones it’s low impact aerobic exercise that is kind to your skeletal frame. So to those who think they are too old I say: Don’t walk past that empty trampoline. Provided that you are sober, have a go. But keep it simple. However much fun you think it is do not bounce for more than 5 minutes initially. Trampolining is a whole body exercise that uses muscles that you never knew you had.
At a simpler level try rebounding. That is bouncing on a small exercise trampoline. These are relatively cheap to buy, take up little space and are the next best thing to a proper trampoline. Again: Short sessions to start with until you can build up to a 20 to 30 minute daily session. It need take up none of your precious time. Want to watch TV? Bounce while you watch with the added benefit of extra exercise for your eyes too.