Rebounding (exercising on a mini-trampoline) holds a special category in fitness. Considering that a rebounder provides superior workouts and exercise in a vast variety of ways, that using it benefits the body in ways other exercises can’t, that it is very adaptable, that it’s suitable for all age groups – all the while being very gentle on the joints, rebounders add up to a cost-efficient investment that pays you back in health benefits and enjoyment in spades.

The Three Main Advantages of Rebounding:

1.   Rebounding works out every muscle, cell and organ of your body and burns calories without stressing your joints… and feels good!

2.   It provides at least four types of workouts at the same time:

1. Steady-state cardio – keeps your heart rate high consistently
2. HIIT – spikes your heart rate up with spurts of activity followed by periods of recovery
3. Strength training – uses your rebounder for step-ups or incline planks to build specific muscles
4. Cellular – increases biomechanical stimuli and mitochondrial count in each cell which increases cell energy and your body’s capacity for using that energy.

3.   Rebounding is safer, more-comprehensive, less expensive, more convenient, burns more calories and is lower-impact than other exercises.

All those benefits in ONE exercise method are hard to find any other way!

But maybe you’re not quite sure what rebounding is to begin with. Let’s take a minute to talk about that…

What’s is Rebounding?

Rebounding refers to jumping, dancing or exercising on a mini-trampoline. It provides aerobic exercise that’s easy on the joints, good for the body, and feels great! Rebounding is very versatile and personalized – you can jump fast or slow, high or low — or not jump at all by keeping your feet connected to the mat at all times while going up and down gently — and still get great benefits. You can do a full workout routine or mix jumping with rest or slower up-and-down movement, or with aerobic stepping, or anything that suits your fancy.

Rebounding is an Efficient Exercise

The great thing about rebounding is that its highly efficient. According to recent studies, jumping on a rebounder burns 20 percent more calories than jogging on the ground at five miles per hour. The NASA study found that six minutes on a rebounder can equal one full mile of jogging. Rebounding definitely burns more calories than walking. Of course how many calories you burn depends on how strenuous a workout you perform, but any way you do it, jumping on a rebounder will give you more results in less time and effort than jogging.

Rebounder or Trampoline? Are they the same thing?

Sort-of, but there are important differences – mainly in the size and the bounce. Technically, rebounders can also be called mini-trampolines or fitness trampolines, but they are not to be confused with full-sized trampolines. Rebounders are designed to be safer for balance than large trampolines and are better suited to exercise and workouts.

Let’s first look at the size difference between a rebounder and a trampoline. Rebounders are smaller, compact, lighter in weight and portable. They have a firmer bounce and are typically used for aerobic exercise routines or some type of exercise that benefits health. Trampolines are made to be used for acrobatic exercises (like tumbling, handsprings and flips), although children love to bounce on them just for fun.

Even though they vary in size and can get large, rebounders are never as wide or as high as trampolines. They are quite a bit lower to the ground than standard trampolines ranging about two to four feet in diameter and one to one and a half feet high. Most of them are about 40 inches across and are easily stored in the home. Some models are foldable for easy portability.

Trampolines, on the other hand, are usually three to four feet high and can be six, eight or twelve feet wide or more. Due to their size, trampolines are usually placed outside, have strongly propelling bounces, and use safety nets. Rebounders do not require safety nets, but some models have balance bars for those who need them.

Is rebounding better than running?

If you’re going for the cardiovascular benefits, the lowered impact on the joints, increased endurance, support for bone density, bone strength, and bone formation while decreasing bone resorption, then definitely, YES.

Rebounding routines have become very popular for good reason. They save a lot of wear and tear on the joints and burn more fat. According to a new study published in the International Journal of Sports Science, exercising on a rebounder is twice as effective at improving aerobic fitness and 50% more efficient at burning fat than running. Working the cardiovascular system without taxing the body or the joints is a huge benefit of rebounding. Bouncing on a mini-trampoline also does a great job of working the leg muscles, increasing endurance, and strengthening your bones. On top of all that, it saves time and the expense of gym fees.

Should you try rebounding?

Why not? Rebounding is a low-impact cardiovascular exercise. It’s appropriate for people of all ages — from children to older adults — at whatever level they desire. Its affordable and can be done at home whenever you want. And most importantly, if feels good!

---

See more benefits here:

10 Practical Benefits of Rebounding
10 Health Benefits of Rebounding