Are you having fun at your gym? If not, it's time for you to Boing! Crunch NYC offers a class called Boing with Kangoo and it's hands down the most fun I've ever had at a gym. I'm serious. Boing with Kangoo is a laugh-out-loud-jump-for-joy-feel-good kind of workout. It's a crazy adrenaline rush, kind of like jumping on a trampoline while wearing roller blades (not exactly and not quite as scary, but close). Check your ego at the door and channel your best Richard Simmons because once you forget about looking cool you'll start having fun. Now on to the good stuff...
What's this Boing thing all about and who's this Mario guy?
Boing with Kangoo is a low impact, cardio-based group fitness class using Kangoo Jumps (read about them here). You'll hop, jog, skip, jump, and even shimmy your way through a choreographed routine that's easy to follow and set to a dance party soundtrack that rocks. If you think Kangoo Jumps are wild, then instructor Mario Green is even wilder. He's the leader of Kangoo Nation, a tribe he's created to spread fitness to all by rebounding in sync (approximately 8,000 times in 60 minutes...and yes, he's counting).
Is this guy for real?
Yep, he couldn't be more real or more inspirational. After 5 minutes of chatting with Mario, I was ready to save the world. Mario's an artist, performer and trainer. He's very outgoing and wants everyone to experience the joy of Kangoo Jumping. If you haven't tried it yet, this might sound cheezy. But having Kangoo'd, I'll confirm that the experience is youthful and invigorating. It makes you smile and forget about everything else going on in your life, which in turn makes Mario's day.
The most rewarding thing about teaching kangoo classes is just the pure joy i get from doing it and watching everyone else have so much fun in class. When class is going on everyone is the epitome of on the same page.
C'mon, Mario...how can everyone really be on the same page?
Most people let go in class and I definitely encourage them too! I give a lot of freestyle breaks where people can just let go and dance in them. We have done thriller and bad romance where we have came to life as monsters and danced and chased each other around class with claws, we've been robots, we've been assassins with our hands shaped as guns shooting at each other matrix style, we've been hip hop dancers, rockstars, kids, and the list goes on and on. But I think because i'm so crazy they naturally want to match my craziness!
Mario's not kidding. Crunch members come to class wearing their best outfits and attitudes, especially regulars who line-up and wait for the sign-up sheet an hour before class. Like Roller Girl, a regular I met who rocked a sexy leotard and took some pics of me which I won't be posting since I was a sweaty mess. Oh yeah, prepare to sweat. A LOT. Bring water and make sure to grab a towel. Most importantly, get there early before all the Kangoo boots are claimed. Sometimes Mario brings extra.
I generally turn away about 5 or 6 people each class and that is after letting 2 or 3 people use my own personal Kangoos that I bring just in case class fills up. I don't like turning people away. It's officially a craze and people want more! And I feel like its my duty to give them more!
And by "give them more" what exactly does Mario mean?
Haha. funny you should ask. i've been using and loving kangoos for over 4 years and i'm pretty crazy. i'm ALWAYS in them.
He wears them everywhere...even while flying! His Kangoos actually got him into first class because he needed extra leg room. For Lady Gaga's Radio City Hall concert, Mario showed up as the Kangoo Avatar and signed more autographs than Gaga.
Ok...so Mario's an Avatar...can normal people take his class too?
As long as you like to bounce, you're good to go. Mario's class draws a mixed crowd of all ages and fitness levels:
Anyone can use them but i've had 18 years old to people in their 70's in class! They can't always do the fancy choreography but they just keep moving. And thats what its all about. Just having fun and moving.
You're amped! You want to take this class. So do it.
You already know Boing with Kangoo is offered through Crunch gyms in NYC. Now here's a list of locations and times:
Tuesdays at 5:15pm at Crunch – 38th St.
Thursdays at 8:15pm at Crunch – Union Square
Saturdays at 3pm at Crunch – Union Square
Not a Crunch member? That sucks but you can still take this class!
Crunch is offering mizzFIT readers a special one week guest pass.
JUST CLICK THIS GUEST PASS LINK!
If you love Boing with Kangoo, I'd consider a Crunch membership because they've got an awesome class schedule with amazing instructors. Join now through Monday, for just $49.99 to enroll and get the rest of the month free. I'm sure the Crunch membership reps would love to talk your ear off about this...so I'll leave the rest up to them.
In case you're wondering, Mario didn't invent Kangoo Jumps nor does he own the company. He's the chosen leader of the pack for Kangoo USA...and a damn good one.
Learn more about Kangoo Jumps extraordinaire, Mario Green HERE!
UPDATE: Check out Mario's debut on TYRA!