Isn’t it a true blessing in this day to get more for less? More return for less investment, more miles on less gas, more mercy when less deserving? I think this is why God invented rebounders. He knew our physical need for movement and our propensity for laziness. So, out of His loving kindness came the rebounder, a legitimate fitness option for optimizing our time, energy, and finances, and reaping the most benefit.
Our physical body is designed to cleanse itself of toxic material regularly. Organs such as the skin, kidneys, lungs, and liver are constantly evaluating ingested material and filtering out unsavory elements. The lymph system, which is a complicated series of vessels, nodes, ducts, and secondary cleansing organs like the appendix and tonsils, is responsible for transporting these harmful substances to the organ of elimination. This is achieved by a number of metabolic processes which are stimulated by movement. While breathing generates some cleansing, the major cleansing work is accomplished by, and is relative to, how much we move. I don’t need to reiterate that our culture is primarily sedentary; therefore the ability of the body to cleanse itself is minimal at best. Plus, we are a people that feed our bodies on a diet devoid of fiber and water, which increases the retention of toxic waste. It is a lose-lose condition for the human body.
I am sure you, beloved reader, have tried many forms of exercise. Intuitively, we know we need to exercise but really don’t want to make the time or expend the energy. Weight loss and exercise programs are the number one and number two New Year’s resolutions each year. The number of new registrations at places like Weight Watchers and Gold’s Gym during the month of January proves my point. The exercise classes that I teach are always better attended in January than any other month. Need I say more? If I told you that rebounding, even for a short amount of time, would double the benefit for half the effort, could I interest you in giving it a try? A simple, light bouncing is sufficient, even for 2 minutes to cycle your lymphatic system one time. The additional resistance against gravity propels the lymph gates to open in a dramatic way when challenged by a bounce. Of course, the higher you bounce the more push to those lymph valves, i.e. more and quicker cleansing. As the height and speed of the bounce increase, the exercise now becomes aerobic, engaging cardiovascular challenge and benefit.
“What about aching joints?” you ask. “It hurts me to move.”
Inactivity and poor lifestyle choices have given sway to many joint and muscular challenges that can make even daily activities difficult. The benefit to rebounding is that even the movement of a gentle health bounce can circulate lymph fluid around aching joints, which can, in turn, remove inflammation. Inflammation that resides around swollen and arthritic joints will not be removed without movement. Because that sore elbow or wrist hurts to move, we tend to favor it, and thus the condition worsens. Gentle health bouncing, where the feet do not leave the mat, will effectively address those areas of inflammation and, over time, bring relief as white blood cells can more quickly travel to the areas of need. Not to mention so many other benefits like improved digestion, greater oxygenation, and increased stamina. There are so many more health benefits.
A simple program (with doctor permission, of course) can begin with two minutes of gentle health bouncing. If you are new to an exercise program, this could promote some cleansing. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it would be best to stop and start again, maybe for a little less time, and gradually increase your time as your immune system strengthens. If you would like a bit more aerobic challenge, and your joints will tolerate more movement, you are free to add some other types of steps. You may incorporate most any type of aerobic step other than a lateral movement. Some options include, heel digs (front and side), gentle kicks, step touch side to side, kneelifts and hamstring curls (pulling heels backtowards buttocks), jumping jacks, with or without arm raises, a cross-country bounce, and twisting side to side. Adding arms or light hand weights can elevate the heart rate quickly, increasing the aerobic benefit. Seated bounces can also have great benefit and increase core strength exponentially because the gravitational resistance against the bounce demands muscle strength like nothing else. I enjoy playing some lively worship music as part of my workout. Effective bouncing and its benefit are not necessarily related to what steps you do. The bouncing is what produces the benefit, the steps just add some variety.
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Try these Rebounding Moves
Photos for article illustration only. Not included on Laura Lee Ryan Videos For a complete rebounding workout, see the video included with purchase of the Urban Rebounder System. 
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Stretch & Aerobics Work Outs
with Laura Lee Ryan!
Supplement your Urban Rebounder workouts with these uplifting videos. Make Me Ready (#222DVD) beginner stretching and low impact aerobics; Make Me Ready Stretch & Selah (#811DVD) stretch and relaxation for all fitness levels, promotes flexibility. Videos do not include rebounding workout. |
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A Simple Program...
A simple program for arthritis conditions might include the following. I recommend sets of 8 because most music lends itself to this number, but you can do as many ofbany movement as you like. Health bounce for 2-3 minutes - alternate with a step touch or a gentle jog (Optional arm movements in parentheses. Always master feet movement before adding arms)
| 1. Heel digs forward |
(bicep curls) |
| 2. Kick feet forward |
(keeping the bounce low- alternate a long arm forward) |
| 3. Low knee lifts |
(hands push down on either side of knee) |
| 4. Hamstring curls |
(arms push to back) |
| 5. Leg out to side |
(arms lift to shoulder height) |
| 6. Leg to the back |
(arms lift forward shoulder height) |
Repeat this same sequence if your body tolerates this well and increase the height of the bounce. For a little more challenge, you can add 2 bounces out and 2 bounces in - arms can lift to the side 45 degress on the out, and down on the in, or a double bounce cross-country step (one leg front and one leg back). You can mix and match these, and add some of your own. I get so caught up in the worship music, time just flies by.
Each time you bounce, your lymph valves are being forced to open and close, moving harmful substances out and nourishing nutrients in. I don’t know any other form of exercise that can so dramatically stimulate your lymphatic system to cleanse, maximize the aerobic benefit for so little time and effort, be gentle to joints but challenging to muscles, and be so much fun. It’s a win-win for you! Your investment will certainly be returned many times over while you enjoyably bounce your way to better health.
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