double mini-trampoline

Burlington T&T Athlete – Kieran Lupish lands gold in Double Mini-Trampoline (DMT) at World Championships in Tokyo

When Kieran Lupish landed his final pass in double mini-trampoline at the 2019 World Age Group Championships in Tokyo, he knew he had just earned himself a medal.

Everything leading up to his final pass, however, was far from perfect.

“I was having a really bad warmup on the pass. I was falling, and I couldn’t land it,” said the 16-year-old from Vineland, who added that athletes warm up in a separate gym before performing on the main stage.

When he entered the main gymnasium, he was told to wait a couple of minutes because the organizers were figuring something out. He eventually got the go-ahead to perform his final pass.

“When I landed and stuck it, I instantly thought I medalled,” said Lupish. “It was the craziest feeling.”

From there it was a waiting game. He came into the championships ranked fourth in the age group of 15 and 16, and performances are done in reverse order based on the rankings from the qualifying tournament.

After his pass, the three athletes ranked ahead of him still had a chance to outscore him.

“I saw the first kid land and thought, ‘That wasn’t the score that was going to beat me.'” he said.

He then watched the final two athletes perform.

“The last kid who went is really good and, when I saw him land, I was just waiting for the score to pop up,” said Lupish.

With his family watching from the stands, he looked up at the scoreboard and saw “second” next to the name of the No. 1 athlete.

“I was like, there’s no way this happened,” Lupish recalled. “I just remember my coach grabbing my shoulder and going, ‘World champ, buddy!'”

It was Lupish’s third time participating at the world championships for Canada. He fell short of the podium at the first two.

Five years ago, Lupish never thought he would be performing at the world championships in trampoline. He initially got into gymnastics and eventually became a high-level gymnast until he hurt his shoulder, which caused problems in a lot of events.

“I ended up getting bored with the sport since I couldn’t do much, so I ended up quitting,” he said.

Introduced to trampolining through his mother’s friend’s daughter, he decided to give it a chance. In just two years of the sport he was performing at the world stage, finishing fourth in double mini-trampoline at his first world championships.

What was the coolest thing about finishing first?

“Normally, when you come third or second, they don’t play your national anthem,” said Lupish. “They played the national anthem, and I just wanted to get up on the podium so badly I actually stepped up a little earlier than I was supposed to.”

He was one of four Canadians who participated in more than one event at the World Age Group Championships. He also performed in synchronized trampoline, but he and his partner from British Columbia had never practised together before executing their routine in front of the judges.

The next goal for Lupish is moving up from Canada’s junior double mini-trampoline team to the senior level when he turns 17. He said this year will be about gaining experience, and then he’ll aim for it all.

“If you win at the senior world championships, you’re the best in the world. Period,” he said.

Double mini-trampoline isn’t an Olympic sport, but it is something people in the field are pushing for since trampolining is part of the world’s biggest sporting event. If it becomes possible, Lupish hopes to represent Canada in 2024 or 2028.

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Interclub program for trampoline & tumbling in Burlington

T&T’s Interclub program builds skills & confidence

All she wants to do these days is bounce and we shouldn’t be surprised. As a baby, she cried when we put her in the swing or the Exersaucer, but would squeal with delight-—her chubby little legs springing up and down—as she bounced in her Jolly Jumper. Despite her love of bouncing, we lived in a semi-detached house in Bloor West Village in Toronto, with a postage-stamp sized back yard that could barely accommodate a sandbox, let alone an outdoor trampoline.

But then we moved out of the city and into a house with a larger yard, and lucky for us, our neighbours were getting rid of their trampoline. It was a beast to move—it had to be rolled across the road, and required a lot of muscle and patience to get the springs in place—and we had some initial regrets…until our daughter jumped the first time, and her face lit up the way it had when she was a baby in that Jolly Jumper. That was in the late summer, and soon school was back in session. But every day after school she’d be out there, sometimes with friends, sometimes with her daddy, jumping until it got dark. Even as the weather changed she’d be out there—in mittens and a hat, with her winter coat.

At the same time, we were searching for an activity to build her strength and burn energy and had tried a few sports she enjoyed but nothing had quite stuck. I remembered our neighbour had done trampoline training at a gym called The Burlington T&T and called to find out about their programs. We expected she’d try the recreational program first, but because she’d been jumping (and jumping, and jumping…) for a few months, she had mastered some skills on her own. Like a front tuck. And a back tuck with her Dad’s helping hand.

TnT was holding tryouts for their Interclub program, which focuses on developing body coordination, posture and kinesthetic awareness, while also gently introducing athletes to competition. Our daughter was excited and determined to learn what she needed to for a successful tryout, and so we spent another few days on our trampoline as she worked on her skills. Teresa Mikola—the head trampoline and tumbling coach—ran the tryout and was encouraging, enthusiastic and offered the push our daughter needed to attempt skills she was capable of but hesitant to try. Our daughter has been bouncing as an Interclub athlete for six months now and is always excited for trampoline training nights. Along with the skilled, dedicated coaching, the athletes also benefit from conditioning one night a week with a trainer. No question she’s a stronger and more confident athlete as a result!

Burlington Trampoline and Tumbling is offering tryouts for next season’s Interclub program (which trains 4 hours per week) on Monday, May 27th. “The inter-club program is a great way to get introduced to the competitive sport of trampoline and tumbling without the pressure of competition because our focus is on learning and enjoying the challenge of competition,” Mikola says, explaining competition is about more than a medal or ribbon. “We’d like them to meet athletes from other clubs with whom they can progress through their competitive careers, learn from their mistakes as well as their successes, and develop work ethic in reaching their goals.”

For more information about TnT’s Interclub program (or other trampoline and tumbling programs), please contact the club or stop by to visit the facility.

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Trampoline & Tumbling Place in Burlington, Hamilton

Burlington T&T’s COMPETE AT THE 1ST ONTARIO CUP

Congratulations to all the athletes who competed at the 1st Ontario Cup for Trampoline and Tumbling!!! The 3-day event took place in Oshawa, Ontario from February 8-10.

This was the first Ontario Cup of the season and the FIRST provincial level competition for many of the athletes as well!! There were 10 new athletes in tumbling, 10 new athletes in trampoline and 10 new athletes in double mini-trampoline. Head coach Teresa Mikola says she’s never sure how new athletes will react to a provincial level competition but was impressed by the effort put forth by all.

Overall, the team had some great results, with many athletes placing in the top 8.

On Day 1, the TnT’s kicked off the competition with some medals in Synchronized Trampoline. Nicholas U. and Maksim S. took silver for their performance in Level 3 competition. Carter W. and Ma’Ayan K. teamed up in Level 2 competition and came away with 8th place.

More medals were won in Trampoline! Ma’Ayan K. took home a gold medal and Maia B. came away with a bronze medal in Level 2 trampoline. Vince G., Carter W. and Jayden R-C were 4th, 5th and 8th in Level 2 men’s 13 and under, while Nicholas U. took 6th in Level 3 and Matthew D. was 7th in his Level 2 age group. James B. just missed the podium in 9th. Hanna W. earned a silver medal in Level 5 women’s while Chris U. also took home a silver in Level 5 men’s. Sienna G. and Hannah P. just missed the medals in 4th place in Level 2 and Level 4 respectively.

On the Double Mini Trampoline, the TnT’s earned several gold medals! Ma’Ayan K. nabbed the gold in Level 2 competition, while James B. and Hanna W. won gold in Level 1 and Level 6, respectively. Sydni B. took bronze in Level 3, and Vince G., Carter W. and Jayden R-C was 5th, 6th and 7th in Level 2 men’s. Josie J. and Tiana C. were 6th and 7th in Level 4 women’s, while Maia B., earned her 2nd bronze of the competition for her efforts in Level 2. Finally, Nicholas U. and Maksim S. were 4th and 5th in Level 3 competition while Sienna G. and Olivia D. were also 4th and 5th in Level 1 competition.

In Tumbling, Ema B. took home a silver medal while new teammate Julianna was 4th in a large field of Level 4 competitors. Both Victoria and Ma’Ayan were 5th in the Level 1 and Level 2 respective levels. Olivia B. and Andrew G. just missed medals in 4th place for Level 3 and Level 1 respectively, while Maksim S. placed in 7th.

Another big “first” for the TnT: our Muslim trampoline and tumbling athletes were the first to compete at an Ontario Cup!! Way to go!

Finally, a special CONGRATULATIONS to Ema B for hitting the mobility score her first time out as a Level 4 and becoming TnT’s newest national athlete!!

Overall it was a great 1st Cup…can’t wait for the 2nd Cup in Niagara Falls in March….stay tuned!

Trampoline Competition Hamilton, BurlingtonGymnastics Competition Hamilton, BurlingtonDouble MiniTrampoline Hamilton

Trampoline & Tumbling Athletes

our Muslim trampoline and tumbling athletes were the first to compete at an Ontario Cup!! Way to go!

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Ninja gymnastics burlington

Tips to Focus Your Child’s Energy

Focusing the energy of an energetic child can seem like a full-time job. They won’t sit still. Always fidgeting. Constant movement and sometimes a lack of focus. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be focused into lessons that are both effective and fun.

Here are some entertaining activities to help your child focus that energy:

1. Participate In Sports
Physical activity is essential for a child. In fact, it’s recommended that children receive 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Playing organized sports – in a team or individual setting – is a fun way to get that physical activity while building social skills. Individual sports like martial arts, tennis, swimming and running can harness energy, as can team sports such as basketball, football and soccer.

2. Take Dancing, Acting or Singing Lessons
If your child is interested, learning an instrument or becoming active in drama can be excellent activities. They serve as an energy outlet while requiring focus, coordination and study.

3. Have Some Social Time
Playing games with both family and friends can instill some skills such as patience, focus, strategy and taking turns. Board games and non-competitive, cooperative games work well.

4. Set Up Obstacle Courses
Setting up an obstacle course around the house or yard can burn some energy while also fostering creativity. Use the items in your house to create the course. Building an obstacle course and then timing your children as they race through it can be fun for hours!

5. Wrestling
Whether its jumping on mom or dad or playfully wrestling whether it’s appropriate or not, kids like a little roughhousing and there are plenty of benefits as well. If available, there are also many benefits to organized wrestling.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE IN CHILDREN

Even if it’s not a matter of focusing excess energy in your child, it’s clearly beneficial to encourage your child to participate in physical activity.

  • Physical activity can increase cognitive development
  • Physical fitness leads to lower rates of obesity
  • Development of a broad array of sensory skills
  • Regular exercise promotes positive self-image and emotional response
  • Active children become active and healthy adults

All of this may seem like a lot, but it isn’t. Luckily, there’s a place where you can have your child focus excess energy while sharpening discipline and skill. There’s also a benefit of getting out of the house and exercising and socializing with other kids.

At one of more than 240 NinjaZone locations, your energetic child can improve discipline and mental and physical skills while focusing their energy on something fun.

The Ninja Sport is growing. Your child can focus energy in a positive and constructive way – without it seeming like a chore. Your child can build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Here’s a brief description of each Ninja Sport’s level and emphasis:

  • Lil’ Ninja Program
    For children ages 3-5, beginners are introduced to an age-appropriate mix of gymnastics, martial arts and obstacle training concepts. Listening, confidence and exploration are emphasized.
  • Ninja Training
    For children ages 5-11, our Ninja Training program teaches a series of safe flips, rolls, kicks and jumps. Bone- and muscle-strengthening exercises are emphasized.
  • Ninja Girls
    For children ages 5-11, our progressive system teaches a series of safe flips, rolls, jumps and kicks. Strength and agility are emphasized.

Don’t be worried about entertaining a child with endless energy. Use that energy for good. Find your local NinjaZone and provide your child with the aerobic and strength-building activity to focus their energy in a healthy, confident and creative way.

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Ninja Gymnastics Burlington, Hamilton

Activity To Strengthen Mind And Body

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN BUILD LEARNING, SELF-ESTEEM AND A SENSE OF SELF-WORTH

Scholarly research in recent years found physical activity in children is associated with increased self-concept and self-worth. Putting children in activities to improve their health also improved their mind and how they view themselves in the world.

As parents, isn’t that what we all want?

The part many parents miss is how to present these physical activities. Should we place our 5-year-old in competitive settings with 8-year-olds to build “toughness?” Should be spent tens of thousands of dollars traveling the country so we can say our child plays “travel ball?”

Breaking the bank and arguing with coaches in the name of competition is all too common. What parents should strive for is a healthy, fun way for children to exercise, learn new skills and develop as a person both physically and mentally. This developmental focus is what NinjaZone offers children from the time they can walk until age 11.

Improved Sense Of Self

Self-esteem is defined as a person’s subjective evaluation of self. Simply, it’s what we think of ourselves. It’s important to build this within children because what they think about themselves and their potential will have a lasting effect.

Successful interactions with peers and adults and healthy physical activity can help build self-esteem in children. Think about all the fun you had playing as a child. What you don’t always remember are the skills and successes from those simple times and what they mean for you today.

New Skills, New Confidence

When your child masters a new skill or completes a project, they develop confidence and self-esteem. Pride in accomplishment and overcoming obstacles is something we carry all our lives.

Building Strong Bones And Muscles

A healthy lifestyle can also help your child’s self-assessment. By building stronger bones and muscles and improving motor skills and coordination, your child will see greater potential than ever before.

Escape the pressure and overwhelming nature of pushing your child into sports they don’t enjoy. And if they do love playing sports, they can find more of what will help them succeed at NinjaZone.

NinjaZone classes help children build their mind, as well as their body. At NinjaZone, your child finds the benefits of a physically active lifestyle while also having fun and becoming more disciplined, focused at the same time.

Find a location near you today and watch your child build his or her mind and body in a healthy way!m

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Ninja gymnastics training for trampoline hamilton

Getting The Most Out Of Your Child’s Summer Energy

HOW CHILDREN BENEFIT WHEN THEY FOCUS THEIR ENERGY INTO ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT

Whether your child goes to year-round school or has a traditional schedule with 8 weeks off, summer is the time for kids to be kids. If they’re out of school, children are running around and it seems like they’re bouncing off the walls. There are ways to channel that energy into productivity, while still allowing kids the fun that make summertime memorable.

Ultimately, what do we want our children to get out of their summers? Fun and exercise come to mind. What about those combined with a sense of accomplishment, confidence and structure?

At NinjaZone, we run classes for children of all ages to learn discipline and focus their energy all while having fun! Children participate at their own pace – within a proven structure – and after a few classes the summer turns into a showcase for marked improvement that your child will love.

Here are some benefits of the programs that will make your child’s summer worthwhile for all the right reasons:

Harnessed Energy

If you notice your child’s energy seems endless – the product of a restless summer – our structured yet physically engaging programs will make the best use of that energy.

Increased Confidence

Activity, learning and accomplishment all lead to increases in confidence. By staying active and learning new skills, your child’s confidence will soar. By learning at his or her own pace, you will see newfound resiliency and determination that will cross over into other parts of your child’s life.

Improved Athletic Skills

Ninjas don’t have to be athletic superstars to participate. In fact, we thrive with kids of all levels. Improved balance, coordination, cardiovascular health and the strengthening of muscles and bones are all benefits found after spending time in our program.

Discipline

By no means are Ninja Zone classes like going into the military, but your child will find a certain level of discipline while also enjoying the program. For instance, if your youngster needs work on listening, taking turns or sticking to new challenges, joining us may be the ticket to improvement in those areas.

Don’t let summer pass by with video games and ice cream. OK, some ice cream is good. But you can help your child have fun and be productive this summer at Ninja Zone.

Don’t let summer pass by with video games and ice cream. OK, some ice cream is good. But you can help your child have fun and be productive this summer at NinjaZone. Teach your child what more than 80,000 kids have found at our 250+ locations. You can have fun, be healthy and learn all at the same time. Find a Ninja Zone location near you and make the most of your summer!

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How Physical Activities Can Enhance your Child’s Academic Performance

We know that every parent wants the best for their child across all aspects of their life. Making strong social connections, forming lifelong bonds with their family, developing hobbies and advancing their education all take top priority. However, sometimes missing from that list is a proper emphasis on a good amount of physical activity. Staying physically active might not seem like an important element when viewed on its own, but it’s a vital part of a well-rounded childhood and a smooth transition into adulthood.

Physical activity provides more than passive benefits to your child’s well being, however. With the proper amount of physical activity, your child can boost their performance in the classroom as well. Sadly, many physical education programs in schools across the country are being cut or reduced to meet budgetary constraints. Physical activity’s link to academic performance is still a topic of emerging research, but several factors of physical activity have been widely linked to better overall results in the classroom. So, how do these activities contribute to better academics and why should your child get involved?

IMPROVED CONCENTRATION
Any type of physical activity requires sustained concentration and focus, a skill set that can be trained and improved just like physical characteristics including strength, speed, and agility. In our case, at NinjaZone we place an emphasis on discipline and focus in each class for our ninjas. Regardless of the type of activity, however, the skill of concentration that children acquire and hone can be put to use in a classroom setting. Setting to the task at hand with an emphasis on searching for the best solution and the focus to see it through is a vital element in any classroom environment.

Additionally, physical activity provides an outlet for children to work out their excess energy and refocus on the world around them afterward. If you’ve ever tried to get a child with too much energy to focus, you know how challenging can be. With a proper way to manage those bursts of energy, any child will be better equipped to concentrate better on their academics.

HIGHER LEVELS OF CHEMICALS THAT AFFECT MOOD
Exercise has been proven beyond a doubt to have a positive impact on mood and the brain, releasing chemicals called endorphins that have a powerful impact on cognitive function and overall mood. Endorphins are known to create feelings of euphoria, reduce pain, promote feelings of well-being, relieve stress and make falling asleep easier. With all of the benefits of endorphins, it’s no wonder that regular physical activity can have a dramatic positive impact on overall mood. Children with a greater sense of well-being don’t have to struggle as much with negative emotions, allowing them to focus with a clearer view of the topics in front of them. Children being in a better mood means that they are easier to teach, and more likely to participate in activities that will enhance their understanding of the material.

HIGHER SELF-ESTEEM
General mood boosts, improved mood and concentration, new skills and the social bonds formed during communal physical activities all combine to help boost the self-esteem of young children. Boosting confidence and self-esteem is an important part of NinjaZone’s program, as allowing children to advance at their own pace and take control over their own development imparts a great sense of confidence and self-esteem. In the classroom, this higher self-esteem can translate to less intimidation by new material and an outlook more likely to be ready and willing to take on and overcome new challenges. This can-do attitude can also readily translate to testing, as a more self-assured outlook can help offset the effects of test anxiety in young children. If they believe in themselves, they’re more likely to succeed.

As you can see, physical activity is an irreplaceable part of a well-rounded childhood full of education and development. By providing students with new skills, as well as boosting their confidence and self-esteem through a curriculum that prioritizes individual progress, NinjaZone is proud to play a part in a process that can do a world of good for children. Finding the right physical activity for your child can be a challenge, but when they have the right fit, they’ll be better equipped for a better academic future.

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Ninjz gymnastics & trampoline place

You Don’t Have to Love Sports to be Active

The cultural expectation for children, especially boys, to participate in physical activity through sports can be challenging for some. From school activities to time spent with family, organized sports are the chief contributors to physical activity. These expectations can be tough to overcome, as a physical activity seems to be linked more and more to sports. While there are a great many sports out there that can meet a wide variety of tastes and interests, sports simply aren’t for everyone. Competition, sports cultures, and strict rules can be off-putting and be discouraging from progressing in a sport. However, that doesn’t mean that you, your children and your family can’t stay active.

Every child should have the opportunity to develop their own physical fitness, but there isn’t one single path that works best for everyone. Similarly, your family can stay active without having to do an activity that not everyone will be enthused about. So how can you keep a love of activity alive without going in on traditional sports?

HIKING
It’s a way to take in nature, de-stress and spend quality time with friends and family, or alone. There’s no set pace, no set time or distance limits, and the level of activity can be exactly what you make it. Hiking is one of the easiest activities to participate in that builds fitness without the constraint of sports. Next weekend, try scoping out parks and hiking trails near to your house and getting your family involved in a hike. You and your children might discover a new passion, and you’ll certainly work up a sweat.

BIKING
Biking does carry an initial investment cost, but since it serves as an alternate mode of transportation as well as a great way to get and stay in shape, bikes could well be worth it if you don’t already own them. When observing the proper safety practices, biking gives your children a safe way to get around while burning calories and having fun. If their friends nearby also have bikes, then it’s all the more easy to get your child out and about while building muscle and burning calories.

CLIMBING
Climbing may not be for everyone, but if there’s a climbing gym nearby it’s worth it to try it out and see if it’s right for you. Climbing walls come with a complete array of safety equipment, padded floors, a variety of climbing walls varying by difficulty and staff to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun experience. Climbing can be one of the most physically demanding activities you can do, giving a full body workout, but is also only as intensive as you want it to be. If your children take to it, you might find they have so much fun they don’t notice how much exercise they’re actually doing!

PLAY ON PLAY EQUIPMENT
For some, the structure of sports can be off-putting if they’re more comfortable with an open environment where they can run, climb and jump how they please. If you’re nearby a local playground, visiting the play equipment there and setting your children lose can be a great way to get exercise. Children can meet friends, play games and exercise for hours in a more open environment, providing a great way to keep exercise fun. Bonus points if you walk to the playground.

PARTICIPATE IN NINJA CLASSES
For parents looking for a structured environment to allow their children to be physically active without participating in the traditional structure of organized sports, Ninja Classes could be the perfect answer. The NinjaZone program combines elements of coordination from gymnastics, strength, and agility from obstacle training and the creativity from freestyle movement, all in a program where progression is determined at the pace of progress that the child makes.

We’ve designed the program to be fun, with Ninjas grouped by age and supervised to ensure that they have fun and stay safe. Ninja Classes aren’t a sport in a traditional sense, but they provide a great opportunity for kids to have fun and develop confidence in addition to fitness. If you’re interested in signing your child up for the NinjaZone program and getting in shape without sports, contract a certified gym near you today.

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