Rebounding: Exercise Smarter, Not Longer

We all know that exercise is good for us. So why is it that so many of us don’t? I suspect there are several reasons- starting a program can be intimidating or overwhelming, weather can be challenging, health clubs can be expensive. Perhaps you don’t have the energy to start, find it boring, too time consuming or it just plain hurts to get going. Well take heart as I believe I may have found the perfect exercise!

It all began this winter, when the lack of snow forced me to find something else to do since I couldn’t ski. I had been doing my other routines all spring and summer and was looking forward to the change that skiing would bring. I started looking into rebounding as I had heard it was good for the lymphatic system and wanted to find out what else it could offer.

I was thrilled to discover that not only is rebounding a great way to exercise, but it can be done by just about anyone at any age in as little as 10 minutes a day! If you are a hard core exerciser and like a good challenge, as I do, there is something for you too. I decided to give it a try and ordered one. I have been rebounding for almost 4 weeks now. Guess what I like the best about it so far? It is FUN! Truly- I can’t wait to get on my rebounder each day because it feels so good.

According to Dr. Morton Walker, there are at least 30 health benefits from rebounding. While many exercises offer benefits such as burning calories and fat, improving strength, toning muscles, etc, rebounding offers some that you may not be aware of:

1. It establishes a better equilibrium between the oxygen required by the tissues and the oxygen made available.
2. It causes muscles to perform work in moving fluids through the body to lighten the heart’s load.
3. It increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
4. It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as the flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
5. It promotes body growth and repair.
6. It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
7. It improves coordination through the transmission of nerve impulses and responsiveness of the muscle fibers.
8. It enhances digestion and elimination processes.

Why is rebounding so unique? There are several reasons, according to David Hall, who by the way, has a very interesting personal story. You should read it.

• Provides weight bearing exercise without the jarring that can come with other forms.
• Provides movement to the entire body and every cell.
• Meets 5 key requirements for exercise at one time: isotonic to build bone density and muscle mass, isometric for toning, aerobic for cardiovascular fitness, targets every muscle in the body, and increases flexibility.
• Exercises every cell in your body: When weight or stress is applied to a muscle, it creates pressure changes against the cell membrane. At the bottom of the bounce, every cell in the body is stimulated, exercised, cleansed and strengthened.  This includes internal organs, veins, capillaries, bones, connective tissue and skin.

According to Dr. Walker, at the bottom of the bounce your feet hit the mat with twice the force of gravity. Then, just as astronauts experience in space, your body is in a state of weightlessness at the top of the bounce. This alter­nating weightlessness and double gravity produce a pumping action which pulls out waste products from cells and forces in oxygen and nutrition from the bloodstream.

I encourage you to check out the links above for more information on this wonderful and fun way to improve your health. And it really IS FUN. I found this quote from Dr. Walker, “My students tell me it’s so much fun that they often exercise on the units for their own enjoy­ment.”

And that is exactly what I’ve come to discover. Achieving such great health benefits in a short amount of time and having fun too? What could be better?

Ann Finelli

Marketing and PR