Little Secret: 22 Reasons to Jump for Good Health
When I was a child, our next door neighbors had a full-size, horsehair trampoline that rested upon the surface of a deep hole in the earth. My brother and I loved to finagle our way over so we could jump, jump, jump.
We finally asked our parents if we could have a trampoline too. And they agreed — so long as we could successfully give away a recent litter of puppies. So we took the puppies (one we had named Hershey) and sat in front of the local grocery store until we found homes for all the cute little fur balls.
Soon, we had a trampoline of our own. It wasn't horsehair. And it wasn't built into the ground — but it was still fun. And it was available anytime we wanted to jump. We learned all sorts of tricks and flips. We had some great memories on that trampoline —until my brother and cousins thought bouncing on it with a pogo stick might be more fun than on foot. It wasn't long after the pogo shenanigans that the trampoline got a hole, ending our trampoline fun. But the memories live on.
And as it turns out, having that trampoline might have helped us kids stay healthy by stimulating our lymphatic circulation.
We have talked before about the importance of the lymphatic system for nourishing and detoxifying cells in the body. But, unlike blood — which is pumped through the body by the heart, and unlike oxygen, which enters the body through the lungs — lymph is a static system. It does not move on its own. Lymph needs an outside catalyst to move around in the body — and that catalyst is exercise. Read 22 benefits of moderate exercise here.
Lymphologist, Dave Scrivens, claims that jumping on a trampoline is one the best ways to get lymph moving in the body due to the nature of the lymph flow in the body coupled with the vertical movement of jumping. [1]
The common term today for jumping on a trampoline is "rebounding." However, a full-sized trampoline is not used for rebounding, rather, a miniature trampoline.
Not only does rebounding increase the lymph flow by 15 to 30 times according to Scrivens, it has many additional benefits including. [2]
It is easy on the joints
Increases bone mass
Detoxifies the body
Boosts immune system
Stimulates internal organs
Stimulates cerebral-spinal fluid
Stimulates aqueous fluid in the eyes (which can improve eyesight)
Aids digestion
The G-force strengthens all cells in the body
Reduces body fat
Firms legs, thighs, abdomen, arms, and hips
Increases agility
Improves sense of balance
Strengthens muscles overall
Benefits cardiovascular system
Rejuvenates a tired body
Improves overall health and fitness
Harnesses the beneficial nature of gravity
20 minutes compares to an hour of aerobic
Strengthens the heart muscle
Fights infection and disease
Can relieve constipation
With all these amazing benefits, it is no wonder that so many people are rebounding their way back to good health. If you don't like exercise, this could be the fun solution you are looking for to get healthy.
Things to consider when looking for a good rebounder:
Solid construction and frame
High quality jumping surface
Portability (for storage or travel)
Good springs or bands (bands are quieter)
Weight rating (how much weight the springs/cords can handle)
Of course rebounders come in all different price ranges from $50 to $1000.
[This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you order something off one of my links, I may earn a commission. Thanks in advance.]
If you want to get healthy on the Rolls Royce of rebounders, consider the Bellicose 49" Premium. It retails for $999.00. It is a sturdy, researched based unit with high quality materials including a stainless steel frame with foldable legs. And it has a large jumping area. The bungees make for a quiet jump and you have a choice of strong (140-200 pounds) or extra strong (280-440 pounds).
The JumpSport Fitness 250 has good reviews. It is rated for 250 pounds. It has cords for a quieter jump. It sells for about $250.
If you need portability and up to 300 pounds of support, consider the JumpSport Fitness Trampoline Model 550F PRO, which folds easily. It is a tad more expensive at $500, but if may offer the flexibility you need.
If you are not sure about rebounding and just want to get started with a small investment to see if you will keep up with it (and maybe invest more later), consider the Stamina 36 inch Folding Trampoline. It has good reviews, is under $50, portable, and rated at 250 pounds.
I have shared some good rebounders in every imaginable price range. Jumping can be loads of fun, bring back child hood memories, and restore youthfulness to your body.
Why not get started today?
While, I am not paid to endorse these products, if you do purchase a product from one of the above links, it will help support the work here at Reformed Health. And as always — it will cost you nothing extra.
Also, please share this post so others can learn to bounce their way to good health.
I am really excited about the next post in the Biblical Health Study. If all goes as planned, I will be sharing an interview with an ex-Yoga instructor turned Christian. She has an amazing story to tell.
Next: The Simple Way This Yoga Instructor Finally Found Peace
Return to: Biblical Health Study
[1] https://www.wellbeingjournal.com/rebounding-good-for-the-lymph-system/ [2] Ibid.