According to mini trampoline maker bellicon, the gravitational force of bouncing pushes each muscle to work even harder. They encourage rebounding out of doors, weather permitting – But to be sure, experts at bellicon know indoor training. They offer a 100+ selection of rebounding workouts online – for which you will need, of course, a mini trampoline. Kind of like acquiring sea legs, bouncing gave me bellicon legs – I mean that in a good way. I began with the 3-day Focus and Coordination workout led by bellicon Netherlands CEO Remy Draaijer. I found I almost had no choice but to keep an aligned posture while bouncing.

When you think of cardio exercises, the usuals come to mind — running, cycling, spinning. But one of the best overall cardio workouts is actually rebounding. And now people in Dartmouth can give this unique, low-impact, aerobic exercise a test drive. Cheryl Denman, owner and fitness coach at Costafit Rebounding, wants people to come experience the countless benefits of this highly effective workout. “It is so restorative to the body. I have had people come to me worried that they will be really sore after a workout, but this is different. They come back and say they don’t feel anything apart from feeling fantastic, rejuvenated and energized,” she says.

The convenient habit of training at home was inaugurated in the 1980s when courses of aerobics on VHS went on sale at news stands. Today bellicon, a German company specializing in home fitness, has come up with a system that connects a mini trampoline to a tablet. The elastic mat of the rebounder is patented and is connected with a polyamide and fiberglass hooks to the circular frame, which is fitted with an adjustable, dual-function T-bar.

“I found myself unburdening to Stephanie Moore, the nutritional therapist at Grayshott spa and herself a compulsive runner, who recommended a mini trampoline. A Rolls-Royce of a rebounder, built by a German company called bellicon to your specifications. Two months in, I’m up to about 25 minutes every other day. I face a (wide-open) window on to my garden. It’s almost like being outside, but unlike the resistance you feel when your foot hits tarmac, the sensation you get with bouncing is elongating and opening. You feel your core strengthening, your pelvic floor tightening. Between this, yoga, TRX suspension training and Pilates, I’ve ditched the painkillers and moved on from podcasts to pounding music. I’ve found my new high.“

Trainer Fayth Caruso explains the benefits of rebounding on the bellicon® and shows different workout options on WGN TV: “You can use it at home with the bellicon home platform or visit the bellicon studio in the West of Chicago. It is low-impact, makes really fun and also challenges different parts of the body: The bellicon® trains your balance and coordination, boosts the lymphatic system that's detoxing your body and strengthens the pelvic floor. It's more efficient on the body but easy on the joints. You can get your cardio action going and even a lot of athletes work on the bellicon® to strengthen the core. And because of these bungees instead of springs it's nice and quiet.”

Roxburgh wrote a step-by-step guide on using a foam roller to achieve a taller, slimmer and younger body in 21 days. In addition to using the foam roller, Roxburgh recommends the rebounder for a cardiovascular blast. "NASA has done research on the rebounder, and they found that it's 50 percent more effective for cardiovascular training and also fat burning than running," Roxburgh said. Roxburgh says that starting at 10 minutes on the rebounder is a great start to increase lymphatic circulation, brain development and brain-to-body awareness that helps with balance.

When you jump on a rebounder, you are working against constant gravitational pressure. Every time you land, every cell in your body contracts, which helps to pull waste from the cells. In return, your cells are fed oxygen and nutrients from the blood stream. The up and down motion of rebounding also activates the lymphatic system, which is the garbage can in the body. Everything that is bad for you, such as heavy metals and other toxins get filtered out through the lymphatic system. Unlike blood that gets pumped by the heart, your lymphatic system has no pump. The lymphatic system requires movement to activate the flow of lymph…

Certified Lymphologist Dave Scrivens explains that while rebounding, we experience a moment of G-force which strengthens every cell in our bodies, brings a major increase to lymph flow, and boosts some immune activities by up to 500%. We’re all about rebounding for 2015. Not only is it great for a quick workout and to get the blood flow going between bouts on Instagram and Pinterest, but it makes us feel equal parts smug (for being so in the know about wellness and mitochondria) and toddler-like (for all that straight-faced bouncing.) These emotions cancel each other out for a pretty chill workout.

“I’ve been using rebounders for years, and the bellicon® is absolutely perfect. The tension across the mat is excellent – no rolling ankles if you are barefoot – and it’s SILENT – great for apartment living! The different dimensions are also a plus for people who feel safer bouncing on a wider surface.” Ashley Borden, fitness and lifestyle consultant and author of Your Perfect Fit

What I really appreciated upon assembling the 6 legs was the attention to detail and fine craftsmanship. The screwing leg mounts were solid and deep, lined up easily and screwed into the frame effortlessly. The bellicon® sits noticeably higher than traditional rebounders (approx 13” versus 9”), but this additional height coupled with the highly elastic bungee bands, makes for a dynamic jumping experience, where you are able to get more air and the brief experience of weightlessness. One of the very best benefits of the bungee design is that not only does it allow for a cushioned smooth jump which is kind to your joints, best of all it is silent, not a squeak to be heard. This is the one piece of equipment in my house that is guaranteed to be used daily.