Bouncing Your Way To Better Health

imagesTrampoline fitness may look like too much fun to be effective, but bouncing your way to a healthier body is actually serious business. Personal trampolines or mini-trampolines are often used as therapy tools to help patients who are recovering from injuries that affected their strength and balance. Medical experts from a variety of fields are discovering that bouncing is also good exercise that can improve the immune system and assist the lymph system in detoxifying the body.
Benefits of Trampoline Fitness
1.     Aerobic Benefits
Bouncing on a trampoline provides the same type of aerobic workout as jogging or running, but without the stress on the knees and ankles. Because the device absorbs approximately 87 percent of the shock of each bounce almost everyone can work out at an aerobic level without causing joint pain or injury.
2. Increased Strength
High jumping on your personal trampoline is an excellent exercise for strengthening lower body and core muscles. The resistance created each time the leg muscles must propel the body back into the air is similar to pushing leg weights or doing squats.
3.     Improved Lymph System
The lymph system is responsible for carrying waste out of the body. A sluggish lymph system lowers immunity and makes the body more vulnerable to disease. The bouncing motion of trampoline jumping moves all the fluids of the body, stimulates the internal organs and acts like an internal massage, kneading and pushing waste through the body.
Staying Safe
Because trampoline fitness is fun and easy participants can forget to take the proper safety precautions.

  • Don’t use your bouncer directly after eating. Jumping on a full stomach could lead to indigestion and nausea. If at any time you do feel nauseous while using the device sit down and rest.
  • Place the trampoline on a dry, stable surface. Check the stability each time before use. Continuous bouncing can cause screws to loosen slightly. Resting the equipment on a wet or slick area can result in a sudden shift or slide.
  • Wear appropriate, loose fitting clothing. Though no special workout gear is required, jumping in clothes that are binding or that have loose, flowing layers that could impede your movement might lead to an accident. Remove jewelry that might get caught in your hair or on the equipment while you’re exercising. Special shoes are available for trampoline fitness, but they’re not required. Snug-fitting socks or bare feet are safe and cost effective.
  • Stay hydrated. Don’t forget that bouncing is exercising. Your body will require extra water to replenish fluids lost through perspiration. Staying hydrated will also help the lymph system perform.
  • Failing to stretch is the best way to cause an injury. Take a few moments before and after your workout to do some basic stretching of the legs, arms, back and neck.

When it comes to cardiovascular health, bouncing on a trampoline for 20 minutes is equivalent to approximately 1 hour of running. Bouncing is easier on the bones and joints, accessible to almost everyone, and it supports the immune and lymphatic systems. If you want to take your workout more seriously, try making it more fun, and bounce your way to health.