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Hundreds of New Yorkers Set World Record for Trampoline Jumping

 More than 300 New Yorkers gathered at Asphalt Green to break a record set in 2012.
World Record Trampoline Jump
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UPPER EAST SIDE — They bounced their way into the record books.

More than 300 New Yorkers ranging in age from 8 to 77 gathered at Asphalt Green on Wednesday morning to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people simultaneously working out on trampolines.  

To break the record, participants were required to bounce continuously for five minutes. Anyone who fell off of a trampoline had three seconds to get back on before he or she was disqualified.

Organizers were nervous that the group would not reach record-breaking capacity due to morning rain. About 20 minutes before the attempt was scheduled to begin, they were still short by 25 people.

Participants got on their phones to recruit friends who lived nearby and organizers convinced Asphalt Green employees and even people waiting for the bus nearby to take part in the historic attempt.

With 310 jumpers at final count, the group broke the previous record of 302 set in 2012. 

The event was organized by JB Berns, who created the trampoline-based fitness program Urban Rebounder after he injured his knee in a martial-arts class.

Berns wanted to call attention to the benefits of exercising on a trampoline.

“What we’re doing today is trying to have fun and to show that this is a workout for all ages because it’s easy on the joints,” Berns said. “We need alternatives to exercises that are performed on unforgiving surfaces.”

Berns approached Asphalt Green to host the event because it was one of the first gyms in New York City to offer Urban Rebounder classes. 

Jim Rodino has been teaching the trampoline classes for more than 15 years and helped to lead the group workout Wednesday. He said that what sets Urban Rebounder apart from other workouts is the sense of community it builds.

“Bouncing is just a happy activity," he said. "You bond with people in your class and you want to keep working out together."

About 25 people who take Rodino’s classes at the New York Health and Racquet Club came out to participate, including Natasha Chappell, who tried Urban Rebounder on a whim seven years ago and fell in love — literally.

“I actually met my husband in my first class,” said Chappell, who got married two weeks ago. “Jim came to our wedding and so did all of my friends that I met in class. I love Urban Rebounding.”