Workout Review: 3,000 Power Walk on the Rebounder with Michelle Briehler
Since getting my very own mini trampoline for Christmas, I’ve been all about those weekly rebounder workouts (here’s a quick intro). Not only is it fun to spend a half hour bouncing, but it’s a great workout, too! So when I saw the “3,000 Power Walk” workout from Michelle Briehler—one of my favorite rebounder instructors—I was eager to combine my two favorite workouts.
Admittedly, the description of this power-walking rebounder workout is rather deceptive. In a lot of ways, it’s a pretty typical rebounder workout—and, at one point, Michelle jokes that one of her team members asked during a break “where’s the walking?”
The workout is structured in three rounds—plus a little extra. It works through a variety of different rebounder moves—things like scissors, jacks, and twists—with optional weights for an extra strength workout. It then goes through the entire cycle three different times before closing out with a bit of a recap to reach 3,000 steps. Of course, all step counters vary—and it’s pretty hard to tell how many steps you’re getting while bouncing and moving and working your arms, too. But since Strava gave me credit for 1.73 miles, that seems pretty close to accurate.
At points during the workout, some of the moves do cross over into “walking workout” territory. There are some walking steps, some side steps, and some heel touches—just with a little extra bounce, courtesy of the rebounder. So while it may not really seem like a walking workout—like the ones that you may normally find on YouTube (and like most of those I’ve reviewed before)—it makes use of a lot of the same movements. And, even though it may not always seem like it, this high-energy workout is still totally low-impact.
The workout also combines upbeat music with guidelines from the instructor. I generally prefer this combination—because the beat from the music helps me stay on tempo, and the instructor is both motivational and instructional. And since I typically watch my rebounder videos on my tiny phone screen, it helps to have someone explaining what’s coming next. For those who pay close attention to on-screen previews, counters, and trackers, there aren’t any picture-in-picture previews, but the video does offer a countdown clock for each move—as well as a progress meter to show how far you’ve made it through the workout.
While this workout is definitely not your typical walking workout, you’ll still use a lot of the same movements. You’ll just get a little extra bounce in the process. If you’ve never tried a rebounding workout before, you might want to start with something shorter and simpler. This is an intense workout—one that’s sure to get your heart pumping and the sweat dripping. But it’s a fun way to change up your daily walking routine when you’re stuck indoors.
Pros:
– Adds a little extra bounce to the usual walking workout
– Most steps are pretty simple
– Optional weights for an extra arm strengthening workout
– Upbeat music and instructor
– Intense workout—will definitely make you work up a sweat
Cons:
– Not really a walking workout
– Requires a trampoline
You can find this workout and more on Michelle Briehler’s YouTube channel—or watch the full workout below.
