Creative workouts using the Jumpboard

How confident do you feel about running a Jumpboard class?

I feel like that sometimes our Jumpboard workouts often tend to be the same same leaving us in a bit of a Jumpboard slump and the clients knowing exactly what is coming next!! For some reason, the Jumpboard can just stump us as teachers!

But in my view, using the Jumpboard can be a fun and fabulous point of difference that can be sprinkled into your classes to create dynamic, creative and some seriously Sweaty Betty workouts - if that’s your thing, because if your clients are like mine then they genuinely love it when the Jumpboard comes out so it’s time to level up the Jump game people!!

At Pilates on Point we have a signature express class called 'Just Jump’ so I like to keep this class on the go with a creative flare while also making achievable for our clients. This is where props really come into the game!! Props will make your Jumpboard classes pop so get them ready to go.

Before I share some creative ideas with the Jumpboard, its important to note that the next lot of exercises that are mentioned are built and then layered from foundation Jumpboard moves. Creating the Creative Jumpboard flow- here’s a snapshot of some of my go to favourites.

· The Side Lying Series- stacked on the knee  (all on a medium spring – bearing in mind the spring choice will be different for each client)

Stacked on one knee and one forearm and rebounding from the jumpboard, this is a nice switch up and a serious challenge when it comes to balance and levels up your jump game from the more traditional move of side lying on the shoulder and hip using the ball as a pillow prop. Once your client’s form is on point and your confidence is brimming then add the side crunch by bringing the elbow to knee. Great for those lateral glutes, balance and core and also that side waist sizzle.

To advance: Let’s see if we can add in a weight and punch the weight to the sky whilst balancing that single-leg jump!!

· Side lying- stacked on elbow with pilates soft ball between ankles and

Jump with both feet away from the jumpboard and squeeze that ball. Once you are in control then add the double side leg lift, finally let's add that side crunch in again and send your elbow to hip. 

· The Grand Finale creative move for the side lying series- Stacked on Elbow with ball in the top hand to begin.

Scissor split the legs and tap the ball to the bottom leg as it reaches forward.

· The Side Series using the Longbox- 

We start facing side on - using the ball under your ribs, your hand can be on headrest or elbow on box.

There are so many options here so I’ll make it brief:

 - With your forearm on the headrest, Double leg straight jump, side leg lift

- Up on your forearm on top of the box you can do Single leg straight jump, Knee pull, Side crunch with elbow and knee again, side leg lift, kick fwd and back or circles, etc.

 - But a favourite of mine when your forearm is on the headrest is:- top arm has the ball to the cieling, double leg jump away (squeezing inner thighs together) from the jumpboard and add a teeny side crunch by bringing the ball to the ankles and using the side waist!

To layer up your creative flare- add in the side scissor split again, bringing the ball between the legs.

So as you can see, we are levelling up the Jumpboard game but we are also building on the foundations of the same moves already completed prior without the box. Obviously if you have clients that have balance issues then you would stick with these moves on the bed and omit the box altogether.

· Advanced Side Series: Stacked on the knee on the Longbox – (bottom hand is on the shoulder block behind you)

These moves are similar to the moves completed on the bed without the box however using a lower spring would now be advisable. You can always go higher again once you’re feeling comfortable. Exercise ideas include:- Single straight leg jump, Side Lying Swing, Knee Pull, Side Crunch with elbow to knee, Side Leg lift etc. Again, we are adding our creativity flare to the mix by using our props but keeping the moves fairly similar so repetition assists us through.

· Single Arm work with weight- Sitting facing side on

Push away from Jumpboard using a single arm whilst other arm punches weight to the sky. Sit as close to the edge of the box, close to the jumpboard as you can.

· Three and two Point kneeling on the Longbox (facing the risers)

Start by setting up in your quadruped set up ready to work your single leg. Have the Pilates soft ball under one hand and as you jump away using a single leg jump (opposite leg), press down into the ball. This is great for the glutes, shoulder, balance and core and a total game changer!! 

When you think your balance needs a challenging shift, remove the ball and set up in your two point position. Jump using only a single leg and a single arm.

· Various Abdominal work on the Longbox (with the Pilates soft ball under back of ribs)

Start with something simple like an abdominal (ab) crunch with the hands behind head and a double knee tuck jump, then add wide leg splits, adding in your various arm movements to challenge balance and form, single leg jump with free leg like a candle stick too the sky. Now lets add weights into the mix and contract your abdominals by bringing your arms with weight to your ankles. You can also do a single arm punch to sky with single leg kick to the sky for another variation and for your Grand Finale ab move- try balancing on the ball in your deep ab scoop set up and completing Peter Pan. 

These are just some of my creative go-to moves I use in my classes to keep things fun, energetic and always a challenge no matter how long you have been doing Jumpboard for.  

All moves can be paired back if needed or dialled up, props removed or props added. Some may be for you, some may not be for you. Having creative classes is my jam, I love, I thrive on it but I never add it to my classes just for the sake of it or to make the class look pretty. If we can’t achieve the foundational move then the fancy creative layer does not get added in. SIMPLE.

For me the biggest thing as a teacher and as a studio owner is this…‘Read the room and always know your clients.’  This is crucial not just to deliver\ a great class for all but for every single individual to leave your class feeling accomplished in their Pilates moves!

Watch Kylie’s Creative Flow here

Kylie is the owner of Pilates on Point in the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia and features regularly on Dynamic Pilates TV. You can find online POP classes here.