I’ve heard for ages that rebounding which means jumping on a small trampoline has huge benefits for your body. So whenever my kids are “bored”, I make them jump.
Now that it’s back to school time, there are even more reasons that I do this. Did you know that jumping helps your kid’s brains? I quote “Rebounding results in better mental performance, with keener learning processes” written by Dr. Morton Walker and Albert E. Carter.
This alone is a great reason to start jumping but there is more…
Lately, I’ve been yelling into the house “mom’s going to jump on the trampoline, does anyone want to come”… for some reason this is like asking if anyone wants ice cream sundaes, the kids scream with delight and come running. There is something about jumping on the trampoline with kids that brings out their silly nature and it will bring out yours too. Not only is it good for your body, it’s good for your relationship with your kids.
If jumping on a trampoline is not for your family due to the dangers, think about jump roping or a getting a rebounder as that is much safer.
I try to make myself jump on the trampoline for at least 100 jumps a day. The kids usually make up a game and by the end, our hearts are pumping and we are panting. I feel good knowing that they’ve gotten exercise and they always have a good time.
Why is jumping so good for you? Here are 8 of 33 reasons found in the article The Benefits of Rebound Exercise: 33 ways the Body Responds:
- Benefits the lymphatic circulation by stimulating the valves to the lymphatic system.This helps your body’s immune system.
- Helps circulate more oxygen to your muscle tissues
- Increases lung capacity.
- Increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
- Rebounding causes core muscles and large muscle groups to contract, resulting in the rhythmic compression of the veins and arteries, which more effectively moves fluids, both blood and lymphatic, through the body and back to the heart, lowering peripheral blood pressure and lightening the heart’s load.
- Rebounding lowers low-density lipoprotein (bad) in the blood and increases high-density lipoprotein (good) holding off the incidence of coronary artery disease.
- I love this one: Rebounding allows for deeper and easier relaxation and sleep.
- Rebounding gradually improves resting metabolic rate so that more calories are burned for hours after exercise. Related, Rebound Exercise benefits the post-exercise “Glycogen Replenishment”
process.
As you get ready for your kids to go back to school, every mom worries, will they be accepted, will they make friends or will they be teased. I think jumping with my kids helps in two ways. Kids are mean and healthy looking kids have it a little easier. By this I mean, kids who are not overweight and generally have a healthy look to them. It’s natural and it’s based on evolution, the chickens peck at the chicken who looks sick. So jumping helps them not only be healthier but look healthier.
The second way it helps is that spending fun time with their mom lets them know they are loved and fun to be with. This gives them confidence and kids are drawn to confident kids.
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Disclaimer: Jumping on a trampoline is very dangerous. You should read this: http://www.thegilbertlawgroup.com/practice-areas/injuries-to-children-and-minors/trampoline-injuries/ before making your own decision. You can break arms legs and more… make sure your trampoline is fully enclosed with great netting and thick padding to make sure poles and springs are covered etc… and know the risks and make your own decisions for exercise.
This article has some great safety recommendations:
Safety Recommendations
While Consumer Reports and other medical and consumer publications recommend that you do not buy or own a trampoline, if you do own and use a trampoline, consider the following safety recommendations from various safety advocacy organizations and agencies to protect your family, friends, and neighbors:
- Regularly inspect the trampoline and safety equipment to ensure there are not tears in fabric, cracks or breaks in welded joints, and verify that support poles or legs are firmly secured
- Ensure adults supervise children’s use of the trampoline at all times
- Restrict use of the trampoline to children 8 years or older
- Insist that only one person use a trampoline at a time;
- Prohibit
flips or somersaults - Install the trampoline at ground level
- Locate the trampoline away from structures, trees, pools, and high traffic play areas
- Use safety pads on the trampoline frame and springs
- Remove ladders and other access points to prevent children from getting onto the
trampoline without supervision - Insurance: Many insurance companies consider trampolines “attractive nuisances” for children and strongly recommend placing a fence around the trampoline. Some insurance companies refuse to cover trampolines under home insurance policies. Make sure to check with your insurer if you own or are in the market for a trampoline.