Health Benefits Of Trampolining
Bounce your way to good health and fitness with a trampoline! Bizarre as it may seem to anyone who spent many hours playing on one as a child, trampolines and rebounding in general are said to be one of the healthiest ways to exercise your mind and body!
Trampolining stimulates the immune system, has been proposed as an ideal way to combat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and even as a way to fight cancer. If its benefits need any more credence, NASA has used trampolining for years to help in rehabilitating astronauts after their return from weightlessness...
- Lymphatic System
The majority of the body's natural immune system, a collection of cells commonly refered to as white blood cells, are contained in the lymph glands and distributed through the body through a network of one-way vessels known as the lymphatic system. Unlike the blood supply, the lymphatic system has no natural pump but instead relies upon movement such as breathing and muscule contraction to fascilitate its flow around the body. Trampolining is the most effective form of exercise to facilitate lymphatic drainage due to the one way valve construction of the lymph system. Valves close on the upwards bounce, allowing cells to absorb nutrients and open on the downward bounce allowing gravitational pull to draw impurities from cells and tissue for destruction in the lymphatic system. Movement is seen to improve the activity of the lymphatic system by as much as 30 times thus boosting immunity and improving the way the body deals with toxins. Trampolining is like giving every cell in your body a thorough detox.
- Low Impact Exercise and Bone Density
Exercise like jogging, running, aerobics, many sporting activities are high impact exercise activities which can exert a lot of pressure on the low joints and muscles and most who partake in such forms of exercise will sustain injury at some time. Low impact exercise is kinder on joints, reduces the risk of injury and is more suited to people off all ages including older and obese people. Low impact exercise such as trampolining, or rebounding using mini trampolines, is also seen to increase bone density which helps against avoiding fractures and debilitating bone disorders such as against osteoporosis.
- Further Health Advantages
Exercise of any kind helps the cardiovascular system and rebounding or trampolining is no exception. Additionally, trampolines help improve motor skills, concentration and may just be the easiest way yet to get your children to step away from the playstation and get some real exercise!
Trampoline Safety Advice
How safe are trampolines? As with any form of exercise, if you do it 'wrong' or misuse the equipment then you are at potential risk of injury and trampolining or rebounding is no different. If you, or your children already do things like ride a bike, play football, rollerskate, then they're already performing activities with a potential risk of injury if misused. Riding a bike is pretty safe...doing wheelies, dodging in and out of traffic, giving 'backies' make it less so. Some basic, but often overlooked rules to trampolining:
- One Person (or child) at a time on any trampoline - Sure, the weight capacity may allow for more, some manufacturers may say it is even OK for more than one user, but ultimately trampolines are only safe for just ONE user at time. Consider it ths way, if you on the way down when someone else is just being launched upwards, then the trampoline bed is being propelled towards you - hitting it then, is about as 'giving' as hitting the ground feet first. If there are several people bouncing at once then the risk of clashing heads, people landing on each other, propelling someone off by purely bouncing them of the mat etc. etc. is just too risky. One at a time, at all times.
- Supervision - Trampolining sessions should always be supervised. There should always be a 'spotter'.
- Safety Pads, Crash Mats, Trampoline Nets - Use safety pads to cover the metal frame portions of the trampoline. Crash mats can be used around the trampoline as well for additional safety or, to prevent falling from the trampoline, safety nets specifically designed for the purpose can be used in outdoor models.
- Space and Weight Restrictions - Refer to your manufacturer's manual to see what the space and weight restrictions are on your particular model. Over-burden your trampoline and you'll break it, and possible a bone or two of your own in the process. Also, beware of putting trampolines under trees and other over-hanging objects or you might find yourself surprised by how high you can bounce...and how hard you can hit them.
- Sommersaults & Tricks - Leave it to the experts. If you want to perform high risk manouevers then get professional training and supervision.
How Much Do Trampolines Cost?
The average prices of a trampoline varies dependant upon quality, style, purpose and materials. You can expect to pay anything from £40 for a basic quality rebounder to a few hundreds pounds for adult trampolines and over £1000 for competition quality outdoor trampolines!
In general, a good quality trampoline for home fitness use will cost between £100 and £300. Better quality models will come with extended guarantees, the best, with lifetime guarantee on all parts.
Different Types Of Trampolines Compared
There are several different styles of trampoline with varying uses. Make sure you buy the right one for your needs. In particular, the home user should make sure whether they require a full-size oudoor trampoline or could make better use of a mini-trampoline also known as a rebounder. Rebounders are small, indoor trampoline with a typical diameter of around 3-4 feet and are used for fitness workouts. Outdoor trampolines range from at least 8 feet up to 24 feet and above and are the ones your kids will want to use and offer much more varied exercise routines for you.
Outdoor trampolines fall into one of four categories.
- Round Trampolines
Ideal for children, a round trampoline naturally pushes users towards the centre with each bounce which aids safety and are good for exercise routines.
- Octagonal Trampolines
An octagon-shaped trampoline gives you that 'round' shape but without pulling the jumper into the centre. Bouncers have more control over their jumping.
- Rectangular Trampolines
A rectangle-shape trampoline is often the kind of trampoline used by gymnasts. These are used in gymnastics as the bounce is higher and the bouncing area is larger.
- Square Trampolines
A square-shaped trampoline is similar to a rectangular shaped one but the bounce is lower.
How Much Space Is Required For A Trampoline?
The size of trampolines varies depending on your own personal choice. They range from 5-6 feet in diameter up to 16-18 feet for non-commercial models. In addition you will need to provide for over-head clearance.
As a general safety rule, you need to allow for at least 3 feet of completely free space around the trampoline and a minimum of 25 feet clear space above it. This includes things like tree limbs, patio furniture, garden sprinklers, anything of the sort.
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