It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s safe for almost anybody of any age… It’s quoted by NASA as “the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man”, and you can do it at home whilst watching TV! What is it? Rebounding!

What Is Rebounding?

Put simply – bouncing on a mini trampoline. Unlike regular trampolining, the aim isn’t to bounce high or perform gymnastic tricks, but to perform a series of small, controlled movements.

"Just bought myself a mini trampoline... and what a hoot! It's surprisingly good exercise, and I can have a bounce whilst watching the telly. I'm planning to use it most evenings when I come home from work - I usually just collapse in front of the box” – Sarah X

Benefits of Rebounding

A zero-impact exercise, rebounding provides many benefits for you and your body:

Improves circulation
Increases the capacity of heart and lungs
Lowers cholesterol levels
Improves co-ordination and balance
Reduces stress and tension
Improves muscle tone (particularly legs, thighs, hips, abdomen and arms)
Increases energy and vitality
Boosts the lymphatic and immune system
Fits in with your lifestyle
AND IS GREAT FUN!

Plus, unlike many other aerobic activities, rebounding places no strain on the joints of your body.

“I've got a rebounder, I find it's very good for me as I have a knee injury which means I can't run on the ground for any distance. I put on a good CD and bounce along. I find it's good exercise” – Alison G

Who Can Rebound?

Mums, dads, children, grandparents… Rebounding is suitable for all ages and abilities! Stabilizing bars can be fitted which may help if you feel unsteady or are elderly, disabled or handicapped.

“Having had lots of problems that has prevent me doing any exercise for years due to wheelchair etc, I have discovered the wonders of rebounding! I started in the wheelchair with my feet on it and my husband bouncing. After a week of that I was able to sit on it myself and bounce. I have now progressed to standing whilst holding on to bar and bouncing myself. It has made me feel so much better and I get better at it daily.” - Maria

Buying A Rebounder

It's the old adage - you get what you pay for... inexpensive models can be stiff and don’t offer adequate cushioning and support.

Invest in a quality rebounder, which boasts:

A stable 6 leg design - cheaper 4 leg models are known to topple over
Unscrewable legs – for easy storage
A solid spring system – to ensure adequate support for your joints
A non-slip mat – for those trickier manoeuvres!

"To all those wondering whether or not to go ahead and get one... all I can say is DO. Have just bought one and it is fantastic - mainly cos you feel so weightless when exercising rather than pounding along on the treadmill!!! It's really great - get one and try it!" – Jackie

What’s the Cost

The best rebounder we’ve found is the Reebok Rebounder. It’s a club quality rebounder in a stylish black and silver design (who said appearances don’t matter?!), and will take a person’s weight up to 18 stone. It comes complete with a workout manual, and retails at approx. £50 – the equivalent of just one month’s membership at your local gym, or 10-12 exercise classes.

Think of it as an investment. Rebounding is fun for all the family – if you’ve got kids you might have to fight to get a go! – can be done in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home, will save you transport time and costs, and fits easily around your busy lifestyle. We think this is £50 well spent.

“I bought a rebounder after reading about them on this site - my husband laughed at the idea – but now I can't get him off the thing! It's a really good fun type of exercise!” – Haze

“I've had mine for nearly 2 months now, and I use it every day ... At first, the first few minutes were hard going, … but now I easily do 20 mins while watching a favourite soap, or one of the Sky music channels. And now it's a doddle, and easy too, which suits me LOL...and best of all, I burn about 60 kcal for 20 mins!” – Sharon

Rebounding Exercises

If you feel you need a more regimented exercise routine – invest in a rebounding video.

“I have just bought a video called Cardio Bounce … it is really good! It is a complete workout lasting 45 mins but is split into sections: warmup, aerobics, stretching, etc. It has a section called gentle bounce for if you are not very fit as well. I can definitely recommend it! The music is a bit naff but if you complete all the sections you will really feel you have worked hard!” – Kazzie

Rebounding Works!

“It's great in front of the telly - you can just get up and do a couple of mins during the adverts! :o) And I figured that £49 wasn't too expensive as the only other thing I needed was a decent sports bra (which I highly recommend). The Reebok one also comes with a basic sheet showing you what sort of exercises you should do, starting with very simple ones. I recommend this too - your legs build up in strength in no time and it has also done the miraculous job of reducing my bum size!” – WLR User

“I read on this site about rebounding and thought I'd give it a go. I have to say that after a few weeks, I'm impressed! I have a medical condition (fibromyalgia) which means there are lots of kinds of exercise that I can't do... but this really works for me. 5-10 minutes in front of the telly every other day or so and my legs, hips and bum are already really firming up. It seems to make me stand straighter and taller. And it's good fun too! Full marks for this one.” – WLR User

“You can even do sit ups on it which I use mine a lot for as it is far more comfortable than doing them on the floor” – Jeanie

“It's great to 'boing' away when you've got a few spare minutes or when you can't get out” – Kareb

“I have just properly started using my rebounder after finally finding an exercise video to use with it called "Cardio Bounce" and I'm loving it!” – Debs