My Favorite Cardio Workout

From kettlebells to rebounding, six Pilates instructors share their favorite heart-pumping activities—and how these anything-but-boring workouts improve their practice.

- Joanna Powell

ON THE REBOUND

GLORIA SANTIAGO, 44, Pilates teacher at East Bank Club in Chicago

YEARS TEACHING PILATES: 7

FAVORITE CARDIO: Rebounding on the trampoline

HOW SHE GOT STARTED

I discovered the trampoline at a Cardiolates class four years ago at the Harmony Mind Body Fitness club in Chicago. The 55-minute class—done completely on a small rebounder—was an effective way to strengthen my cardiovascular system while still focusing on alignment and core conditioning. I now do it on my own at the East Bank Club, where I’ve also taught some classes on it. You can purchase a mini trampoline for your own home or office use, but it’s a good idea to take a class first to learn the correct form.

THE PILATES CONNECTION

My Pilates practice made me immediately comfortable with rebounding because I’m so aware of where my body is in space—I instinctively grasped how evenly balanced I was while jumping and landing. I enjoy better stamina and increased cardiovascular endurance, core strength and balance while doing exercises such as jumping jacks with hand weights or jumping and spinning full circle in the air. These moves have given me palpable added strength on the Pilates equipment. Rebounding also engages my pelvic floor and builds abdominal muscles—so essential to good Pilates form. It has also strengthened my ankles, quads and hamstrings, which have added power to my Pilates moves.

THE PAYOFF