Bungee Fitness Is New Zealand's Latest Exercise Trend

Why lift weights when you can bounce off the walls and have a crack at Michael Jackson's anti-gravity lean? In no way associated with our nation's favourite extreme sport, bungee fitness is an exercise regime that uses a rock climbing harness and rubbery rope to support a full-body workout.

Created in Bangkok, Thailand, the trend has now bounced into New Zealand. At north Auckland's MIN Yoga participants attach themselves to a rig hanging from the ceiling before relying on gravity and natural bodyweight to perform everything from leaping ballet pliés to inverted pushups. 

For the new fitness program, the staff at MIN Yoga have been trained by instructors from New York aerial company Grounded Aerial. Speaking with Stuff, Grounded Aerial founder Karen A. Fuhrman describes the bungee class as a mashup of yoga, dance, Pilates and aerobics, with several of the exercises designed to tighten the core. It can also be used as a form of strength or aerobic training and for those looking to feel comfortable dangling upside-down or spinning around in circles.

MIN Yoga offers casual 75-minute bungee classes for $35, as well as one, two and three-day workshops, and complete teacher training.

MIN Yoga is located at 7C Orbit Drive, Rosedale, Auckland. For more information and to book your first bungee yoga class, visit nzminyoga.com.

Image: Jason Heartsfield, Grounded Aerial.