Being active and engaging in regular exercise is one of the most beneficial things you can do to stay healthy at any age — but it’s especially important for seniors. As people get older, they may not be able to get around as well as they used to, and they don’t want to engage in risky or stressful activities that could cause injury or aggravate existing conditions. Because of this, many people resort to walking — which is enjoyable on occasion when the weather is pleasant, but as a daily activity can become boring and is simply not realistic in most climates where the weather is either too hot, cold, windy, rainy or snowy more days out of the year than most. Fortunately, rebounding can provide a low-impact exercise that is beneficial to seniors and it can be done just about anywhere.
You might be wondering, “Can something that resembles a miniature children’s trampoline really be that effective?” The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Not only can rebounding provide a simple and effective way for seniors to get the exercise they need, but there are also plenty of other health, convenience, and safety benefits as well.
Rebounding is a fun, low-impact exercise that just about anyone can do. It involves jumping on what looks like a mini trampoline, also known as a rebounder. You can jump fast or slow, high or low, and you can incorporate other types of movement to work different muscles, increase endurance, and more. Anyone who has ever been on a large trampoline knows that they’re a lot of fun and a great workout. The same applies to your own personal-sized trampoline — it provides an enjoyable workout without even feeling like you’re exercising.
Is rebounding safe for Seniors?
One of the primary concerns about rebounding — and for good reason — is whether or not it’s safe for seniors. They may have concerns about maintaining balance or causing injury to joints. The good news is, rebounding is a very safe and low-impact exercise. Even compared to walking where your feet and hitting the hard pavement, the flexible mat and coiled springs that make up a rebounder provide the ultimate in shock absorption.
If balance is a concern, that’s understandable, and that’s why at Leaps and Rebounds we offer the option to order additional safety accessories such as a stability bar and no-slip grip socks as well as one of the best workouts for Seniors. The stability bar is perfect for those who need a little reassurance and the soft, cushy foam handles are easy to grip. Even if you have the stability bar, the no-grip socks provide additional safety. Plus, they’re warm and cozy and perfect for just wearing around the house!
If you’ve never tried rebounding, you might be skeptical about its effectiveness as a health-promoting exercise. The fact is, few other exercises provide more combined benefits than rebounding. Here’s an overview of just a few of them.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. Experts agree that it can also be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes. One such change is to increase your daily aerobic activity. Some aerobic exercises such as running, biking, hiking, or swimming may not be feasible — or safe — for most seniors. Rebounding, on the other hand, can provide a quality aerobic workout in just 15 to 20 minutes and you can do it in the privacy and convenience of your own home.
Improves Balance and Flexibility
As people age, they tend to lose flexibility making them more prone to injury. Seniors also suffer from a higher incidence of slips and falls because their balance isn’t what it used to be. Rebounding can help with both of these things. It’s important to start slow, and don’t overdo it. Our optional stability bar can help you gain confidence, and your balance and with frequent practice, you’ll be jumping higher and doing more complex moves in no time.
Builds Muscle
If it’s been a while since you engaged in regular muscle-building exercise, chances are you may have lost some of the tone and definition you once had. Over time, muscles that aren’t used can shrink and weaken making you more prone to aches, pains, and injuries. When you’re on a rebounder, you’re engaging and building muscles in your legs and core. Many people also incorporate light hand-weights into their exercise routine to work their arms and shoulders as well. With a rebounder, you’re getting a little of everything — an aerobic workout and muscle-building as well as improved flexibility and balance all with one little piece of equipment that fit in just about any room of your home.
Mental health is something that people talk about more often these days. But what exactly does it mean? Mental health is more than the absence of a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety, it’s a term used to describe a positive state of social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing.
So, what does rebounding have to do with mental health?
As people age, it can become more and more difficult to maintain positive mental health. This can be due to a variety of factors including declining physical health, social isolation, and side effects caused by certain medications. While rebounding can’t solve all mental health problems, it can improve brain function, boost mood, and alleviate stress — three factors that affect mental health.
It does this in two ways. First, rebounding helps to get the blood pumping and improved circulation is related to all sorts of positive health benefits, one of which being better brain function. Improved circulation means more blood is getting to the brain and other key organs in the body. This can have a direct effect on your mood, memory, and focus, among other things.
Second, rebounding is a form of exercise and exercise has been shown to boost the production of certain feel-good brain chemicals known as endorphins. They not only trigger positive feelings in the body, but they can also act as an analgesic and diminish the perception of pain. Therefore, you could say that rebounding not only boosts brain function, but it also makes you feel good and reduces your aches and pains. Who wouldn’t want that?
In addition to the previously mentioned physical and mental benefits, there are several other reasons why rebounding is a good fit for seniors — and everyone else for that matter!
Convenient
What many people love about rebounding is how convenient it is to do. You don’t need a gym membership or even a dedicated room at home in order to get your exercise. Rebounding can be done inside or outside — which is great when you want to be outside in the sunshine, and even better when it’s snowing outside. Simply pick up your mini trampoline and take it to where you want to be.
What’s also nice is that you can easily store your rebounder when you’re not using it. Perhaps you want to keep it in the middle of the living room so you can bounce as you’re watching TV. But, your rebounder can be stowed in just a few seconds by carrying it to another room or dismantling the legs and putting it in the closet. You can’t do that with a treadmill.
Exercise That Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise
Although there are almost too many benefits to name, the most popular one is that it allows you to get exercise without actually feeling like you’re exercising. Many people don’t exercise as much as they should (seniors included) because they get bored or don’t like feeling out of breath and sweaty. A rebounder changes all of that because it doesn’t feel like exercise at all. Simply get on and start jumping. You loved doing it as a kid, why wouldn’t it still be just as much fun?
If you or someone you know is a senior who can benefit from a little more fun and exercise in their life, we encourage you to give rebounding a try. Simply place an order for one of our small- or medium-sized trampolines, choose your color, and we’ll ship it to you free within two to six business days. Not sure if you’ll like rebounding? When you buy from leaps and Rebounds there’s no risk! That’s because each rebounder comes with a free 30-day trial.
Experience what rebounding can do for you — visit Leaps and Rebounds and order your rebounder today.
