The other day, I was busy drying my step class on my couch when I had this strange vision: my neighbor opposite jumping and gesticulating to the ceiling, music to the bottom, smiling to the ears . The next day, I asked her detachment if everything was fine with her. She told me that she had finally found "her" sport, Rebounding . Her new toy: a mini trampoline 80 centimeters in diameter on which she gave me a demonstration of small jumps perfectly choreographed. My turn ! At the second rebound, I break the lamp of the grandmother. While I smile a contrite smile, my neighbor politely encourages me to take a class with a coach before going solo.

Rebounding: a (small) leap forward

Let's go ! In a large room, a dozen mini trampolines are waiting for their students for an introductory session that will allow us to practice at home. Waves memories of Club Mickey, where I jumped as high as possible to impress the girlfriends. " Here, no question of acrobatics, " warns the teacher. Nothing to do with the classic trampoline, an Olympic sport in its own right (first news!).

The mini trampoline, it is a simple fitness accessory, created in the United States in 1999 with a precise method, the Rebounding . This one is based on the "thrust" and not on the jump (the adjustment of the springs does not make it possible to be propelled very high). This is his great interest: learning to control his actions and adjust his posture, a real challenge for balance and coordination. I understand that everything is done in precision: jambessouples and bent, we perform small bounces by contracting in turn buttocks , thighs, abs, perineum, and this while remaining attentive to his breathing (otherwise, we run out of steam quickly).

Make small strides on the spot, raise one knee at the same time as the opposite arm , minisauts on the right, on the left, with a hopping ... The whole thing a few centimeters of height, not more, at the risk of not being able to control its movements any more in which case the exercise loses all its interest.

Rebounding: at the heart of cardio

If the movements are not complicated, the heart works a lot and we sweat quickly (700 calories burned on average for a session of 45 minutes, as much as a jog). But the picture is so incongruous (a tribe of kangaroos hopping to music) that fatigue takes a back seat. At the end of thirty minutes, the teacher finishes by giving us dumbbells, rubber bands and swissball balls, "to strengthen the movements and strengthen the muscles".

It is more difficult, and some declare forfeit. A tip: better to be a minimum sports and have energy to spare . Determined to hang on, I continue to let off steam, with the impression of a body that extends and sheaths. At the end of the session, I am ready to do the exercises at home, in front of a DVD reproducing a typical course. It will take me ten sessions to get a real result on my silhouette (firmer, more toned) and on my endurance (better breath), but it changes me from the routine "yoga-step". And I will be able to compete with my neighbor with her head held high.

Rebounding: where and how much ?

In the dining room: Trampo-Pilates, at Pause Pilates, from 27 € the session (group lesson), 54, rue Danton, Levallois-Perret (92), www.pausepilates.com ; Urban Trampoline at the Opera Factory, individual session with a coach, € 60, 8, rue de la Michodière, Paris 2e, www.usineopera.com . Other addresses on www.urbanrebounding.fr and www.kangastyle.com . In the province, not yet clubs but municipal courts. Inquire at your town hall.

At home: minitrampoline stabilizer bar for beginners, 139.95 €, DVD, 29 €, on www.urbanrebounding.fr .

Rebounding: for whom is the mini trampoline made?

No risk for the joints (the elastic surface absorbs 80% of the shock of the impact), on the other hand, tendons and ligaments are very solicited