Have you heard of rebounding, also known as bouncing on a mini trampoline? It’s the latest fitness trend that promises great results (from a cardiovascular and weight building perspective), and it’s taking the world by storm. Simply put, it will help you tone up, lose weight and get fit fast – but in a sustainable, healthy way.
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The benefits of this fitness trend
Rebounding hasn’t claimed the prize as the best new fitness trend on the market for nothing. It’s been hailed as the ideal workout for people (young and old) who want to try a simple, at-home activity that promises results, fast. Due to the gravitational force on the body when you bounce, rebounding helps to burn off excess kilojoules and fat, while building your fitness in one go. It also helps to strengthen your core and pelvic floor, improve your balance and coordination and enhance your immune system – thanks to it’s detoxing effects.
In fact, numerous studies have shown that it’s one of the most efficient and effective exercises around.
Did you know?
Just 2 minutes of intense rebounding can have the same effect as:
- Running for 6 minutes
- Swimming for 10 minutes
- Walking for 22 minutes
According to fitness and wellness expert, Lisa Raleigh, who is a rebounding fanatic, there are heaps of benefits to be reaped from this fun and challenging activity.
Rebounding is not only great for weight loss, it also strengthens the muscle fibres in every part of your body, including your eyes, ears, heart, major organs and skin.
We asked Lisa Raleigh to explain why she loves this fitness trend so much
I love rebounding because it’s a full body exercise that works both the cardiovascular and the muscular, skeletal system.
I’ve found that it’s great for weight loss because so many muscles are recruited at once – elevating the heart rate far more than most other forms of exercise.
The unstable surface of rebounding makes it an excellent tool for toning.
Every muscle – especially your core – tightens in preparation for landing, yet there’s no jarring effect as your feet meet the rebounder.
It also offers a high weight-bearing load to really challenge your muscles (three times normal gravitational force – powerful enough to be used as compensatory exercise for astronauts, who can lose up to 15% of their muscle mass due to lack of gravity in space) yet I love that it’s easy on the joints and such a low impact activity.
Exercise has to be fun but effective and not too time consuming.
Let’s face it, who has hours to spare for lengthy gym workouts? This is why I’ve embraced rebounding. I can do it at home and it offers higher returns per minute than other exercises.
Start with two minutes of rebounding, a few times throughout the day. You might think this won’t have any weight loss benefits but I promise you, it makes a powerful workout when practised as little as three times a week.
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I found my fitness increased dramatically and quickly.
This was after first starting rebounding after giving birth to my daughter. The deepest layers of my core muscles were stiff initially, so I know it reaches the muscles that really need to be strengthened. I’m also always motivated to train when rebounding because it’s simply so much fun!
Can anyone do it?
If you can walk, you can bounce! It’s a great exercise for children and the elderly too – as it can be modified. If you’re unfit and just starting out, or you’re recovering from an injury, Lisa suggests starting gently with as little as 30 seconds and building time and intensity according to your capability.
A low bounce is always recommended to ensure lowest impact and highest benefit. You don’t need to bounce high to get your heart rate up and muscles working, she says. In fact, a low bounce really helps to tone the hips, thighs and bum.
How to get started
Lisa has her own range of Lisa Raleigh Rebounders, from R2 000 that you can purchase through her online store.
Plus, she also has over 50 home rebounding workouts, ranging from 5 minutes to 50 minutes and a wide variety of fitness accessories and equipment to help you get started on your rebounding journey. If you’re in Joburg, you can attend her rebounding classes too. Visit www.lisaraleigh.com for more information.
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DISCLAIMER: Before starting any diet or exercise plan, you should speak to your doctor. You must not rely on the information on this website/newsletter as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
