Ana Ramirez said she opened Bungee Workout TX last November to satisfy a desire to try the low-impact exercise class but ended up filling a void in area fitness options. The Magnolia-area studio, located along FM 2978 just north of The Woodlands Parkway, is the first and only bungee workout studio location of its kind in Texas, she said. Workout classes are led by trained instructors and focus on building strength and conditioning by incorporating dance and cardio moves with the resistance of bungee cords, Ramirez said. After a 15-minute warmup participants are attached to a single harness that is anchored to the ceiling. The bungee cords can hold up to 300 pounds, she said. Workouts last for approximately an hour, and the program helps reduce the pain on the knees and joints that occur from traditional workouts, she said. Without added weight exercise moves such as squats and push-ups become easier. “When a person is attached to the bungee harness, it takes away [the burden of] about 60 percent of the body weight,” she said. “But you are creating resistance because you are pulling down on the cord at all times. This [is] how you [do] cardio without the pain.” While browsing social media last August, Ramirez said she stumbled on a video of a Thailand-origin workout class. Ramirez said she was interested in learning more about the workouts but could not find classes using similar techniques in Houston. Ultimately she said she reached out to Bungeeworkout, a Thailand-based company. With plans already in place to expand to the U.S., Ramirez said the company recommended she become a franchise owner. “This is really gratifying,” said Ramirez, whose sister, Isabel, helps run the business. “My parents have always taught us to work hard, try to do your best on your own and not to rely on other people. We have always had that mentality.” In addition to the Magnolia location Ramirez said she holds the rights to open additional studios in Texas and the Southern states. Ramirez, who lives in The Woodlands, said she picked the Magnolia area due to cheaper leasing spaces, the high traffic counts along FM 2978 and the growing fitness community near Tamina Road, which currently includes options for crossfit, spinning and taekwondo classes. “We want to be a part of this community,” said Ramirez, who is also a full-time university student. The studio offers three types of workouts for various fitness levels and experience: Bungee Fit, Bungee Workout and Bungee Advance. Hourlong sessions cost $20, with options to purchase class packages. The studio can also accommodate groups for private classes. Classes are geared for nearly every skill level, and Ramirez said she hopes to add a children’s bungee class in the future. First-time participants are encouraged to wear sturdy athletic shoes and pants and to let instructors­—who are specially certified to teach the classes—know that they are new to the technique. Ramirez said the workout can seem intimidating at first but is more accessible than many realize. “You will see how easy [bungee workout] is,” Ramirez said. “You are more scared of the idea that you do not know how to do it or that you never did it before. But once you execute it you will be amazed.”

319111 FM 2978, Magnolia 832-521-5744 www.bungeeworkouttx.com Hours: Mon.-Fri.. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-12:15 p.m., closed Sundays