One of our interns, Alex Minch, came into my office and asked me why we have a trampoline in our workout area. First, I said it wasn’t a trampoline…it’s a rebounder. And, second, I told him it is one of the best forms of exercise that anyone could do. Giving me the doubtful eye earned him the opportunity to do a mini-research project and he shares his findings in the blog post below.
Given the choice between running on a treadmill and jumping on a mini-trampoline for an extended period of time, I’m willing to bet that most people would think the treadmill is a much better way to get in shape. If you agree with the previous notion then, you are absolutely, 100%…..wrong.
As it turns out, jumping on a trampoline, also referred to as “rebounding,” is more efficient than traditional running. Don’t believe me? What if a reputable organization like NASA confirmed it?
After close observation of their astronauts some years ago, the folks at NASA realized that their male and female crew lost up to 15% of their bone and muscle mass because their cells didn’t have to work against gravity. Naturally, NASA had to come up with a program to combat these effects before and after their crews spent time in outer space.
So far, NASA has yet to find any exercise that produces better results than rebounding. The up-and-down motion exposes you to the always-present force of gravity, which makes your entire body stronger!
Here’s another statistic to wrap your head around: according to NASA, rebounding is 68% more efficient than treadmills or other forms of exercise. So, to analogize this situation, let’s say you are choosing between two pretty evenly-matched cars, except that one of them is nearly 70% more fuel efficient. Considering the price of gas, I’m going to assume that 10 out of 10 people would choose to save money. Why not choose to save time and be more efficient when it comes to your physical fitness?
Perhaps the most widely known advantage of rebounding is the stimulation of the lymph system, which is the body’s primary way of cleansing and purifying itself. The lymph system cleans out toxins, poisons, and metabolic waste products in the body and can destroy bacteria, viruses, germs, dead cells, and other unhealthy material that doesn’t belong there. Exercise, in general, is the only way to move lymph fluid around the body. Rebounding, however, will do it in the most efficient way possible.
Furthermore, the improved efficiency of your cell-cleansing process will actually help dissipate pockets of cellulite, even if they were previously impervious to other forms of exercise like traditional weight-training. Aha, results!
The bottom line is this: for the small price of a rebounder, you can start feeling healthier, looking healthier, and actually being healthier. You can lower your risk for lymphoma and many other health risks because your lymph system will be working to the max.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that it is also considered to be an anti-aging exercise? As a result of all your body’s cells being stimulated, they are filled with nutrients and spread from head to toe, making your skin tighten and glow.
So, the next time you feel like going for a jog and burning a few calories, do your health a favor and bounce on a rebounder and revert back to the childhood days when you would jump on the furniture. Your body will thank you!