Bungee Superfly: The Dutch Workout Taking Groningen by Storm

Bungee Super Fly®

With its intriguing name and consistently full classes, Bungee Superfly has captured the attention of Groningen’s sports enthusiasts. The Glassroom took a closer look at this Dutch-made sport and brand, exploring its claims of offering a fun, accessible, and high-energy workout with minimal impact.

The sport and the brand were founded by Janneke van Amelsvoor, who was previously a dance and yoga teacher. In 2016, after performing at Walibi Fright Night, the Netherlands' top Halloween event, she began incorporating bungees into her aerial yoga sessions. Interest grew as she shared her classes on social media, leading her to establish the sport and brand now known as "Bungee Superfly."

The Glass Room spoke with Bungee instructor Jorine Schoenmaker in Groningen to learn more about the sport. She explained that it requires specific equipment: first, a rock climbing-style harness worn around the hips, which is connected to an elastic bungee cord anchored to the ceiling. After participants put on the harness, the instructor conducts a safety check, and the session begins.

Bungee Super Fly®

Typical movements include jumps, lunges, and squats. Additional equipment, such as weights or resistance bands, can be used to increase the intensity of the workout, while minimizing stress on the joints thanks to the support. “You work against the bungee, not against gravity,” says Schoenmaker. The bungee system allows participants to perform various movements while being supported by the tension of the cord.

The Claimed Benefits of Bungee Superfly

This concept of support and "anti-gravity" is the sport’s main advantage and sets it apart from other physical activities. It allows participants to "combine resistance training with a cardiovascular workout," creating a "high-intensity workout with low impact, particularly on the joints," as stated on their website.

In theory, this should make the sport highly accessible. Schoenmaker says, “Anyone can do it, regardless of weight or body type.” She adds that the practice is accessible to individuals with certain disabilities or those in rehabilitation, as the bungee provides support, allowing the muscles to engage without excessive pressure.

The fun aspect and sense of empowerment are also highlighted by Schoenmaker: “It doesn’t feel like a typical workout. It’s so much fun that it feels like enjoyment while improving. A sport should make you want to come back.”

The Thrills and Challenges of Bungee Superfly

Bungee Super Fly®

The Glass Room tested a Bungee Superfly class on October 2, after struggling to get a spot. Liv, 24, said registration is competitive, opening every Wednesday at 9 a.m. "You have to refresh constantly and book immediately," she explained.

Class starts at 4:45PM, participants set up their gear with the help of the instructor. Even though Liv described the experience as fun, she noted that the jumps were painful, even with padding. "I got bruises," she said, adding that with more practice, the pain might become manageable.

"I didn’t feel like I was working out," Liv said, noting that this was a beginner class, and more advanced sessions offer more intensity. She found the post-workout sensation of regaining gravity strange, saying, "It felt like being underwater, then coming out and everything felt heavy."