Rebounder and mini-trampoline manufacturers have documented the benefits of rebounding expounded by NASA and fitness experts for several years now.
NASA reports rebounding is "the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man" and 68% more efficient than treadmills or other forms of exercise.
Complicating matters for the consumer, however, are the numerous rebounders on the market today in the United States ranging from the .99 to .99 models you'll find at some department, sporting good, and grocery stores to those that run several hundred dollars all making claims that they're the best.
Just head on over to the world's largest online auction site eBay and you will see listings for to 0 rebounders at any given time all making the claim that they are the right rebounder for you to be using.
So how do you know which rebounder is best to buy when there are so many choices out there?
David Hall, creator of the Cellerciser® rebounder, says "commercially available rebounders can often cause nerve damage, knee problems, and lower back pain." That's because the mat found on rebounders sold in department and sporting goods stores among other things is comprised of cheap plastic or canvass, Hall says.
Inexpensive mat material over stretches, the feet pronate and ankles twist causing trauma to the inner ankles, knees, and back.
There are oftentimes safety concerns with inexpensive rebounders. In April 2006, 668,000 "In Motion" rebounders made by Stamina and sold in various retail outlets including WalMart were recalled due to injuries reported by customers.
Most higher-quality rebounders like Needak® , Urban Rebounder, ReboundAIR(TM), and Cellerciser® are manufactured with Permatron®, a weather-resistant, space-age material that does not stretch and holds its shape.
Besides the mat, it is important to note the type of springs being used on the rebounder that you're thinking of purchasing.
Most rebounders use tube springs that place weight on the end of the spring, allowing for little stretch. Eventually, the body will come to an abrupt jar, breaking the spring, damaging the unit or injuring the body. Little tube springs don't allow for smooth deceleration, and stop short.
ReboundAIR(TM), which touts itself as the "best built, most innovative rebounder on the planet." uses long wide belly springs "creating a softer, more resilient bounce."
Bellicon, a Swiss/German company on the rebounder market who calls itself the "Porsche of Rebounders", uses bungee cords in conjunction with double-coil springs on its various models that range in the 0 - 0 neighborhood.
Hall, who introduced jumbo tapered barrel-springs technology to the rebounding world in 1993, has fitted his Cellerciser models each with new patent pending "triple-tiered springs" which adjust to the weight of the user automatically allowing for a gentle acceleration-deceleration effect as you bounce. And since they avoid the jarring effect, Hall says his triple-tiered springs don't break like typical tube springs can.
Besides the mat and springs, what else should you be on the lookout for when selecting a rebounder?
Here's a quick checklist of 10 things to do, know and/or ask yourself before buying:
1. Consult a health professional before beginning a rebounding or any other type of exercise program.
2. What kind of warranty comes with the rebounder? Be sure to read the fine print on any unit that comes with a "Lifetime" Warranty. Also, when you purchase a used rebounder second-hand on eBay or CraigsList for example, be aware that the warranty on that unit is null and void more often than not as most companies will only honor the warranty for the initial purchaser.
3. Be sure to know the weight limit for users of the unit as stated in the warranty.
4. Does the rebounder have a "soft bounce" like Needak and Bellicon, an "easy bounce" like Cellerciser, or a firmer bounce?
5. Does the rebounder come with a steel frame? All-steel construction is best.
6. Does the rebounder fold or not? If so, how easy is it to fold apart and fold up again? Some units like ReboundAir's Ultimate (Quadruple-Fold) Rebounder are best unfolded using two people as explained on their website.
7. What kind of a refund policy, money-back guarantee does the manufacturer offer? Be sure to know this going in to your transaction.
8. Does the unit come with a program, dvd, brochures to assist you with your rebounding exercise routine?
9. Read over the testimonials about the product on sites other than the manufacturer's website. Check out what users had to say about a particular rebounder by doing research on Google and reading comments on sites like Amazon.com and Epinions.com. Perform searches on eBay for the rebounder that you're considering and review the feedback comments left for the seller about that unit.
10. Does the manufacturer provide a toll-free customer support phone number and email address? A good way to determine what level of service your manufacturer will provide is to call them up and ask them whether or not you should get a balance bar with the unit that you're thinking about buying. If the person you're talking with asks you a number of questions to ascertain your rebounding ability and needs rather than quickly answering your question and then pressuring you for a sale, then you've probably found a company that you can be comfortable calling with questions or issues following your purchase.
Remember, there are countless rebounders everywhere on and off of the Internet. However, by putting some time and effort into your research following the guidelines above, it is possible to find the right rebounder for you and reap the many fitness and health rewards from rebounding.
