Sarah Ranawake discovers that jumping on a trampoline isn't just for kids.
I don't know about you, but when I was a little kid I thought jumping on a trampoline was pretty sweet. Although my own trampolining skills were limited — I always envied those clever kids who could do backflips and mid-air somersaults — the novelty of bouncing up and down was enough. Then I grew up and I stopped. Because gymnasts are the only ones who jump on trampolines after primary school, right?
Well, wrong, actually. What if I were to tell you that good old trampoline jumping is actually experiencing something of a revival right now? In 2012 the buzz is all about the health and fitness benefits that can be gained from jumping on a mini trampoline. But before you can get into it, you've got to get with the wellness lingo. To those in the know it's not a mini trampoline, it's a rebounder, and the activity is called — you guessed it — rebounding.
"Rebounding is a great exercise for your body," confirms Dr Frank Lipman, integrative physician and author of Revive: Stop Feeling Spent and Start Living Again (Hay House, $24.95). "It's low-impact, helps tone and strengthen the whole body, improves your balance, increases circulation and gets your heart rate up. It also has detoxification benefits, as it stimulates your lymphatic system."
This last point is the main reason why fans of rebounding can't stop singing its praises. "The lymphatic system is part of our immune system; it helps the body filter out toxins," says Dr Lipman. "The bouncing movement of rebounding allows us to flush the lymph throughout the body. Rebounding can be great if you have any symptoms of congested lymph, such as allergies, low energy or infections." Cellulite is another symptom of a sluggish lymphatic system — and yes, rebounding can apparently help smooth out those dreaded lumps and bumps.
Wanna give this trend a try? The average rebounder retails for under $100, which makes them pretty cheap as far as fitness equipment goes. Many rebounders also come with detachable legs, making it easy to stash them under your bed.
Personal trainer Blake Worrall-Thompson (ministryofwellbeing.com) also has a few other pointers. "It's not about being high energy or crazy like the trampoline jumping you did as a kid," he explains. "Instead you've got to think 'gentle'. The proper technique is to stay as floppy as possible. Just let your arms hang and try to be in a relaxed state."
Really, what workout could be more relaxing than watching some guilty-pleasure TV while unleashing your inner five-year-old on a mini trampoline?
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