New research, published in the German Journal of Sports Medicine (Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin) this February, reconfirms the effectiveness of rebounding exercise to significantly improve fitness, even when following a relatively light workout schedule.

A new study, published in the International Journal of Sports Science, has concluded that rebounding exercise is twice as effective at improving aerobic fitness and 50% more efficient at burning fat than running. It also showed that exercising on a mini-trampoline increased vertical jumping ability. The study was conducted over a period of 8 weeks with participants exercising three days a week and otherwise maintaining “their usual diet and lifestyle habits during the study period.”

Last month we launched our bellicon ACADEMY program. The bellicon ACADEMY offers a variety of training options to teach anyone interested in educating others and sharing the joys and benefits of the bellicon exercise regime. The bellicon ACADEMY courses are held on site at bellicon STUDIO in Chicago, or at partner studios around the US, or specifically organized at requested premises. In May our Master Trainer Tara went to Montana for a special private bellicon ACADEMY session with Deb Marbut.

bellicon Studio Opening Summer 2016! bellicon USA, maker of the world’s highest quality mini trampoline is opening the first of many to come US studio in Chicago’s West Loop. bellicon has many successful studios in Europe and have now decided to expand in the US. Our loft style studio will include bellicon classes and host bellicon Academy trainings open to anyone interested in learning more about bellicon for personal use or adding bellicon classes to their studio, gym, or personal training sessions.

CHICAGO, IL – February 23, 2016 - bellicon USA, the world’s leader in rebounder equipment, today announced two new models in bellicon’s line of premium-quality fitness trampolines: the bellicon Plus and the bellicon Jumping® Fitness. Both new models include an integrated T-bar accessory that allows users to perform fast-paced, high-energy workouts that would be impossible without the use of hand support. The bellicon, with its custom-formulated bungee suspension and German engineering, has long been considered the best fitness trampoline, or “rebounder,” on the market. These new models represent the first major addition to its product line since the founding of bellicon USA in 2010.

We've learned a great deal about the effects of rebounding and try to keep up with current health and fitness studies, especially those that have some relationship to rebounding, which allows us to share information or advice with our customers. Because of all this, we felt that I’d be a good choice to provide a response to the wordpress blog post "How not to be conned by bellicon USA": The webpage contains a lot of material, making it a bit difficult to address every particular in a single statement (as much as we would like to), so I’m going to focus on the credibility of the posts themselves as a way of addressing the reliability of them as a whole.

Are You Sore Or Is It Something More? Exercise is a healthy habit to establish but for those new to exercising or starting a new routine, it may be difficult to determine if the resulting soreness is part of the normal spectrum of pain or whether it is a symptom of injury. Exercise routines need to be done with correct alignment, awareness of one’s sensations as they relate to the performed action, and with modification to accommodate previous injuries. Knowing the difference between good and bad pain helps individuals to alter their practice and seek medical attention when necessary.

Men´s Health Week is from June 15 through the 21st this year and now more than ever is an important time to be discussing healthy male lifestyles and being proactive. As stated by Bill Richardson (Congressman),“Recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just a man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.” Exercising, eating healthier, and spending more time with family laughing and enjoying yourself are some of the best medicines one can take. As you get older, focusing on your health becomes even more important because of issues that can arise with age, heredity, and external factors. Making sure you are getting regular checkups and able to spot health issues early on, as well as taking steps to prevent future health issues, are all key.

You're determined to make a change and have recommitted to reaching your fitness goals. However, all too many people make this pledge, only to lose motivation and not follow through. We've all been there, but fortunately there are ways to maximize your odds of success. Keeping track of your fitness progress can help you to stay motivated and on track toward succeeding with your fitness goals. While there is no "one size fits all" method for tracking fitness progress, there are a number of markers and measurements that can help. Here are eight of the top ways you can track your fitness and see the results you're getting from week to week:

A recent Oregon State University study showed that autistic children tend to be significantly less active than their non-autistic peers. The study, which was published last fall in “Autism Research and Treatment,” showed that autistic children participated in 50 minutes less of moderate physical activity than typically-developed children, and spent 70 minutes more each day sitting.