SkyZone Whitby

How many indoor facilities exist in your neighbourhood that have activities your entire family can enjoy, together — at the same time?

Other than our local library and swimming pool, there wasn’t much until SkyZone moved nearby.

We knew what we were in for more or less because we’d visited the SkyZone in Toronto one day last March Break, but it was during a jump time that didn’t allow parents to jump, too. So we sat and watched our kids have all the fun that day.

I was so glad to hear that SkyZone Whitby offers lots of “open jump” times, when everyone from toddlers through to grandparents (at least the ones who are fit enough to not break a hip trampolining) can jump their hearts out.

We were invited to try an hour-long open jump and I went back for a few Skyrobics classes. And, yep—that’s exactly what you think it is: aerobics on trampolines.

If you’ve never been to a trampoline park, first let me set the stage, because it’s not just three or four big trampolines. We’re talking wall-to-wall trampolining here. And you don’t share your trampoline with anyone else; you get your own 6”x6” (ish) area all to yourself. The main jump areas also sport trampoline pads right up around the walls, too. Then there’s the toddler-only jump area, a three-lane basketball “SkySLAM” zone as well as a four-foot-deep cheese (foam) pit with four lanes. Finally, there are three or four party rooms off to one wall. It’s huge and it’s filled with fun from one corner to the other—so be prepared.

THE GOOD

Such a great workout—and that’s without the Skyrobics, which takes it to a whole other level. I’m talking about just jumping, in one place, for an hour. If you don’t feel your thighs burning while you’re there, be prepared to fall out of bed the next day because your calves won’t know what hit them. But it’s a good hurt because you’ve found muscles that haven’t been exercised in, well, maybe forever.

It’s, like, stupid fun. Your legs probably won’t be the only things that are sore—your face and tummy will be sore from laughing and smiling so much.

For all you mamas out there who have been working hard on your Kegels, this is the place to come find out how much progress you’ve made. I strongly suggest a panty liner just in case.

SkyZone offers loads of variety so boredom is not an option during your jump.

There’s a 30-minute jump option, which we’ve worked out is perfect for our kids who are four and seven. By the 45-minute mark, they’re just wiped.

Speaking of wiped, your kids will go to bed early and without complaint after a SkyZone jumping session!

Skyrobics is pretty much the most fun aerobics class I’ve ever taken, and it’s said to burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour. And I believe it. Come ready to sweat, and wear a tight top that won’t fly up every time you jump.

There are no smartphones allowed in the facility beyond the locker area. This is a beautiful sight. Families are just hanging out, having fun and there aren’t any screens in sight. It’s like 1982 at SkyZone.

There’s tonnes of free parking. I love free parking.

THE GAFFE

Come on: $2 for “Sky Socks”? Please. They’re glorified infant socks; the kind with the little grippers on the bottom. I’m pretty sure your regular socks from home that you already own would be just fine. Money grab.

It’s $60 for a family of four for one hour. Now, on the odd rainy day or something, it’s doable. But at that price, there’s no way the average family could come regularly. Especially if you consider that you can go to the zoo for about $20 more, and stay ALL DAY.

Family members can jump at the same time, but not exactly together. If you have a toddler (up to age four), you’re relegated to the toddler area, which means no jumping for you. And if your kids are five and up, you can use all of the other areas together but in the main jump court, you’ll be sectioned off with the kids on one side and adults on the other. My guess is that this is about weight balance across the court, but it still sucks to have to be up to four or five “lanes” away from your bambinos.

Some staffers are better than others; the rules are very, very strict (and in place solely to protect everyone and prevent lawsuits) and while employee A may come over and gently suggest that you stop resting on the side of the wall, employee B may blow a very loud, rather embarrassing whistle from across the floor and shout said suggestion so it sounds more like a militant order.

The stupid stickers that have your jump time noted that you’re supposed to wear while you’re at SkyZone fall off. All the time.

When it’s busy, watch out. It’s absolute mayhem. We went once on a rainy day and I think all of Durham Region joined us. Plus there was a birthday party. The birthday party kids were unleashed into the main jump zone and swarmed us. My kids were completely overwhelmed, scared and ran to me in tears because they thought they would be trampled on during the stampede. I’m pretty sure The Lion King visual was crystal clear in their minds at that moment. It felt very over-crowded that day; if we didn’t stay on our little squares, they were gone in a flash and we had to go to another area or wait like vultures for a new sucker to give up her spot.

THE GEARS

4/5