Finding the Perfect Rebounder
Rebounders, also known as mini-trampolines, exercise trampolines, or fitness trampolines are an excellent source of exercise for a variety of ages. The low-impact form of exercise provided by these devices is much easier on the joints than other forms of exercise, such as jogging. Using a combination of springs or elastic bands and a polypropylene (usually) mat, the up-and-down rhythm of jumping provides numerous medical benefits to old and young alike. As more doctors have recommended rebounding as a means of exercising without the stress of other forms of exercise, the popularity of mini trampolines has risen. If you are looking to purchase a fitness trampoline, read below to learn how to find the best rebounder for seniors without needing to dig through pages and pages of product specifications.
The Benefits of Fitness Trampolines for Seniors
Rebounders offer several reasons to use them as opposed to other forms of exercise. Expensive gyms, unpredictable weather, harsh conditions, or stress on the body are just a few deterrents when dealing with other forms of exercise. Rebounding eliminates these deterrents to allow seniors or those of any age to get the exercise they need without all of the fuss. Below you can find some of the benefits experienced by working out on an exercise trampoline.
Cardiovascular health – Perhaps the greatest benefit you can derive from rebounders is the capacity to increase the user’s cardiovascular health. Seniors do not need to rely purely on traditional exercises to enhance their cardiovascular health. Aerobic activity such as rebounding can significantly improve blood circulation. Besides, it can lower blood pressure, in addition to strengthening the heart.
Low-impact exercise – The soft jumping up and down’s impact is lessened by the elasticity inherent in the design of the mini trampoline. The polypropylene mat and springs/elastic bands reduces the impact one would normally experience jumping rope or other jumping exercises. The impact on the joints and bones is minimal compared to other exercises.
Improved bone density – Because of the low impact of the equipment, it helps in strengthening the user’s bones. Stronger bones and reduced effects of osteoporosis are some of the beneficial aspects one often experiences after prolonged use of rebounders.
Fun exercise – Perhaps the greatest benefit of fitness trampolines is the fact that they are enjoyable. While sweating to most forms of exercise is hard to be defined as “fun”, jumping on a trampoline comes dangerously close.
Improved balance – Maintaining your balance is something that we do without thinking. Our brain handles the heavy lifting and constantly adjusts our body to maintain a solid balance as we go about our day. Besides the consistent balance improvements made by jumping on a trampoline, there are numerous rebounder exercises that are dedicated to improving balance. Those that are finding difficulties with their balance, a mini trampoline may be just what you need.
Arthritis management – The low-impact nature of rebounding ensures that those with arthritis are not negatively affected by this exercise. Furthermore, exercising strengthens the muscles that surround the joints and allows for better weight control which provides support and reduces stress on the joints.
Helps indigestion – The act of jumping on an exercise trampoline consistently causes your muscles to contract and release. The constant movement and working of your muscles is excellent at clearing your digestive tracts and improving digestion.
Prevents dementia – Studies have shown that those with a more sedentary lifestyle are more susceptible to dementia. Rebounding is a great way for seniors to stay active and reduce the chances of dementia.
Prolongs life – Eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercise are common refrains from doctors for those wanting to live a healthy life. Consistent exercise of most kinds will do, but the low-impact nature of rebounders is almost tailor-made for seniors.
Characteristics of Rebounders
Rebounders are, for the most part, smaller versions of the big round backyard trampolines most often thought of when discussing trampolines. They often range from 38” in diameter all the way up to approximately 50”, for the largest versions of fitness trampolines. Rebounders are often used as a form of low-impact exercise as the up and down bounce is a soft landing due to a polypropylene mat and either springs or elastic bands that provide the upward momentum. They usually stand 1’ – 2’ from the ground and are simple to use. You can often find numerous features dedicated to safety, balance, or performance. For example, it is common for seniors to seek out models that have safety handrails to improve balance and allow for more extravagant exercises. Those looking for a more intense workout may find models that come with resistance bands and other forms extracurricular exercises. Below you can find some of the common characteristics embodied by exercise trampolines for seniors.
Safety – A good rebounder for seniors should be safe to use. Soft, foam safety bars, padded springs, and stability are at a premium with these devices. Ensuring the exercise is as safe as possible is integral in finding the perfect rebounder.
Comfort – Users of rebounders often refer to the firmness of the bounce. Depending on the firmness you prefer, your level of comfort may be different from others. A soft bounce is often desirable for those who are a little older. Furthermore, one can often tell the quality of the trampoline based on the bounce. Using higher quality materials often leads to a softer and more performance-based bounce. Some mini trampolines even allow for adjusting the firmness to get exactly what kind of bounce best suits your taste.
Easy to use – Rebounders are simple to use when compared to some of the more elaborate pieces of exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or fitness bike. Setup is usually a breeze, and most are able to start jumping in under an hour.
Quality – Finding the perfect rebounder commonly involves finding the right level of quality for your needs. The higher the quality of trampoline normally ensures the cost will be more expensive than a lower quality trampoline. It is important to balance the quality vs cost ratio to fit your budget. High quality trampolines usually provide more features and a better bounce.
Important Factors to Consider Before Buying
Cost – One of the most important things to consider when you are making your choice is the cost. Decide how much you are willing to pay and make your search based on your budget. Before you start to look for this kind of product, the first thing to do is to make a budget and stick to your budget. However, ensure that you do not compromise quality, because the price often reflects quality. Many are surprised at how much a few bucks more can improve the bouncing experience.
Durability – Secondly, durability is another issue to consider when you are buying a rebounder for seniors. Durability is most impacted by the quality of materials used in construction. Mini trampolines aren’t complex machines, so they can truly last years. While wear and tear is unavoidable, elastic bands and springs are the most common part that needs to be replaced.
Size – Ensure you purchase a trampoline that is large enough to fit your needs. Most find those in the 36” – 42” range to be ideal. In addition to size, weight capacity is important to know before purchasing your rebounder. The size of the trampoline often corresponds to the weight capacity, although there are outliers that provide huge weight limits for small trampolines.
Frame quality – Check the frame quality when you are making your choice. Look for those with superior quality frames to maximize stability of the trampoline. The higher quality frames are less prone to rocking or otherwise causing an unstable jumping area.
Features and accessories – Depending on your needs, you may require specific features for a new rebounder. For example, many seniors prefer to have a handrail for balancing purposes. The accessories that come with the rebounder should be listed on the sales page, so ensure you are getting exactly what you need before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it different, rebounding for the over 60s crowd, when compared to the younger crowd?
The over 60’s crowd may actually experience more benefits of rebounding than a younger person would. The improved balance, digestion, and soft impact are more important for seniors than for younger jumpers. If you are over 60, you may find that improving these 3 aspects can greatly improve your physical health, activity levels, and overall quality of life. A younger person may not even notice some of these benefits as their impacts are increased as we get older.
Does rebounding help with high blood pressure?
Aerobic exercises, in general, are great at combating high blood pressure. Rebounding helps to stop blood cells from clumping together and improving blood flow, thus lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, rebounding regularly can improve oxygen intake, strengthen the heart, and reduce pain in certain instances.
Walking vs rebounding…which one is better?
Overall, using a fitness trampoline is better for your health than regular walking. Both are forms of low-impact exercise, but the activity on a rebounder benefits more bodily systems. The up-and-down movement combined with vigorous activity stimulates digestion and improves your balance better than walking ever will. The number of calories you can burn on a mini trampoline is much higher than brisk walking as well.
What size rebounder is best for me?
Determining the size you need for a mini trampoline is one of the most important decisions. These trampolines often are between 38” – 50”. Remember that is the size of the frame, the jumping mat is often approximately 12” smaller. Choosing the perfect size depends on what you plan to do with it and the amount of available space you may have. If you plan to travel, you may want a smaller model that is easy to fold and take with you. If you primarily plan to exercise at home and have enjoy a larger jumping surface, go for one of the big models.
Conclusion
Rebounding is a very popular form of exercise for senior and almost every other age group. In fact, mini trampolines are even designed specifically for small children! The benefits of jumping on a rebounder are many and have proven to be an enhancement over more traditional forms of exercise such as walking or joggings. The low-impact nature of the rebounding ensures that seniors can confidently use a fitness trampoline without issue and allows for healthy living. Before buying your new rebounder, ensure it meets all the needs of the user. Depending on the user, the features, cost, quality, and a host of other characteristics should be taken into account. Happy rebounding!
