Claim to Fame: Rebound Power
| July 13, 2016
Photo: Shutterstock
Have you ever heard the expression “It’s all in your mind”? Well with Faigy Wasserman it’s all in your shoes! Don’t try to take her classes in your regular running shoes — you can’t. Instead you’ll get an awesome pair of rebound shoes to bounce in as you work out to the newest Jewish music hits.
Faigy cheerfully shares the story of how she encountered Kangoo Jumps as the shoes are called. “I wanted to lose weight after my baby was born and I discovered Kangoo classes” she says. “I tried it and I was hooked. The classes are so different from the typical aerobics class I was used to. The shoes are very easy to move in and the classes put me in a great mood. I remember literally bouncing home.”
Rebound shoes were originally designed for joggers and other athletes to lessen impact on their joints. They were redesigned in the 1990s and soon became very popular so they’re a relatively new addition to the exercise scene. Faigy started taking classes four years ago when she lived in Brooklyn. Then she moved to Monsey with her family and couldn’t find any Kangoo classes in the area.
“I missed the classes tremendously so I created my own” she says matter-of-factly. Well maybe it wasn’t that easy! “I had to get trained ” she relates. “I became a certified group fitness trainer and I got a license to become a Kangoo instructor. At first I thought I’d just have a good time with my friends but then word spread and soon I created my own business called Fun ‘n’ Fit.”
The rebound shoes are very low impact which makes it easier to jump around and work out. “You feel like you’re working out for free since you’re not working that hard” Faigy explains. “It’s great for weight loss since it burns 25 to 50 percent more calories than a regular aerobics class and it works for any age and any fitness level. It improves posture balance and coordination. But what keeps people coming back is that it’s so much fun.”
Faigy generally gives between 8 and 12 classes a week for both girls and women. There are 15 to 20 girls in each class and smaller groups for women. Her students range in age from fifth graders to bubbies. The classes are divided by age with special groups for beginners.
“The feedback has been phenomenal baruch Hashem” she says enthusiastically. “I love the variety the different ages the different personalities I get to work with. I love watching a new group of women or girls getting into it. It’s addictive it’s therapeutic and it’s great kosher entertainment.”
To keep the classes fresh and exciting Faigy keeps up with the latest Jewish hits. “Each song takes me approximately two hours to prepare” she says. “The moves have to be aligned and they have to be on the girls’ level. I also modify my classes according to age and fitness level.”
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