In The New Miracles of Rebound Exercise, author Albert E. Carter writes, “No one is too young to start rebounding. No one is too old to begin rebounding. No one is too frail for rebounding. No one is too physically disabled for rebounding, even though some may need a little help from a friend.”
Nearly everyone can perform rebound exercise. Men, women and children of all ages and abilities will benefit from using a mini-trampoline. Some rebounders are available with stabilizer bars that can be held onto for those who are unsteady, handicapped or disabled.
No matter what the conditions or goals of the exerciser, rebounding can be added to a fitness routine. Everyone from athletes to senior citizens will benefit from rebound exercise.
Even those who are not able to bounce under their own power can still reap the benefits of rebounding by sitting on the mini trampoline and having someone else stand behind them and bounce gently. Another option is for a person to lie on the mini trampoline, and his buddy can stand and straddle him and do a gentle bounce. Because rebounding is fantastic for flushing the lymphatic system (lymph nodes) of the body, this can be quite beneficial for cancer patients.
There is an actual science behind rebound exercise. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) did a scientific study of rebound exercise in 1980. Their research verified that, “rebound exercise is an excellent exercise for our senior citizens, those physically handicapped, those who are recuperating from an accident or injury, or anyone else who needs exercise but is hampered by a pre-existing physical condition.”
Senior Citizens and Rebound Exercise
Some of the benefits senior citizens may experience are improved balance and coordination, increased muscle and bone strength, and better endurance and health.
Rebounding can have a healing and rejuvenating for seniors. Other benefits include increased circulation and cardiovascular strength, as well as stronger bones and internal organs. The immune system is strengthened as well.
Rebounding exercises for seniors should consist primarily of health bounces, aerobic bounces and very mild strength bounces. There are a variety of moves and steps that will add fun and diversity to your program. Begin slowly and work your way up from there. Increase the duration and intensity of your rebounding sessions as you feel stronger and more confident with bouncing.
Rebounders can be purchased that have a stabilizer bar to hold onto while bouncing, or the rebounder can be placed next to a wall so the “bouncer” can stabilize themselves and not fall.
Pregnancy and Rebound Exercising
Pregnant women are encouraged to stay in good shape. Exercise is good, and it’s quite appropriate for most expectant mothers to stay in shape during their pregnancy. When rebounding during pregnancy, the exercises should only entail mild health bouncing, and mild aerobic bouncing. Be sure to clear this exercise with your doctor.
Rebound Exercise is Beneficial for Kids
Many families have trampolines, and most have a protective enclosure so children don’t fall. Trampolining and rebounding benefit the neuro-muscular system and the development of motor skills. Albert E. Carter, America’s leading rebounding expert writes in The New Miracles of Rebound Exercise, “The effect of rebound exercise on the weight-bearing joints and the bones concerned with compressional stress provides an environment which demands greater strength.” In simpler terms, bouncing forces bones to become stronger and healthier.
Children of all ages benefit from rebounding’s effects on the brain. Because rebound exercise works at a cellular level, naturally the brain cells are included. Every brain cell is stimulated while bouncing, and this can improve mental activity and learning ability. This makes it an activity which improves memory, stimulates thought processes and stimulates the communication between the brain and every cell in the body. Rebounding will enhance learning.
Additional Benefits of Rebound Exercise
The health benefits of rebounding are numerous and surprising. In general, it stimulates healing, enhances learning and strengths your body on a cellular level.
But here’s something else to consider. In Rebounding to Better Health, author Linda Brooks suggests that every cell in your body reacts to what you think, feel and say. She recommends carefully monitoring your thoughts, especially during rebounding, because these thoughts can be magnified throughout your body. She affirms that old habits and thoughts can be replaced by repeating affirmations while you bounce.
Brooks also suggests that because rebounding stimulates healing, this can be enhanced by maintaining positive, happy thoughts when you are bouncing. She also recommends directing specific healing mental messages to particular parts of your body where healing is especially needed.
So it doesn’t matter who you are – start bouncing. Do some research before purchasing a rebounder to be sure you are getting stable, reliable equipment. Once your rebounder is assembled, develop a routine that incorporates a variety of moves and steps, and begin feeling healthier, stronger, and more energetic with a few weeks.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
Dr. James R. White. Jump for Joy. New York: Arco Publishing, Inc., 1984.
JB Berns. Urban Rebounding. New York, NY, 1999.
Albert E. Carter, The New Miracles of Rebound Exercise. Scottsdale, Arizona, A.L.M. Publishers, 1988.
Linda Brooks, Rebounding to Better Health. KE Publishing, 1995.
Albert Earl Carter, Founder of Rebound Exercise, Air, Inc. (accessed December 17, 2010).
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