Jumping on a trampoline burns approximately 200–300 calories per 30 minutes for an average adult weighing 155–180 pounds, though the exact amount depends on body weight, intensity, and duration of activity.
Calorie expenditure scales with body weight—heavier individuals burn more calories performing the same activity. A person weighing 125 pounds might burn 150–200 calories in 30 minutes, while someone weighing 200+ pounds could burn 350–400 calories. Intensity matters significantly: casual bouncing burns fewer calories than vigorous jumping with tricks or high-impact movements.
Trampoline jumping is classified as a moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity that engages the legs, core, and cardiovascular system. The constant acceleration and deceleration required to bounce requires energy expenditure comparable to jogging or dancing. Some research suggests trampolining may be more efficient than running on ground because the trampoline's spring reduces impact stress while maintaining calorie burn.
Factors affecting calorie burn include continuous movement duration (non-stop jumping versus frequent breaks), bounce height, body composition, age, and fitness level. Combining trampoline jumping with interval training or adding movements like knee raises amplifies the caloric effect.
For perspective, 30 minutes of recreational trampolining typically falls between light cycling and moderate jogging in terms of energy expenditure. Those seeking more precise numbers can use fitness trackers or heart-rate monitors to estimate personal calorie burn based on their individual metabolic rate.