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Mini Trampoline Exercise for Seniors

Mini Trampoline Exercise for Seniors

Apr 26th 2019

Get all the benefits of exercise without the stress

Using a  mini-trampoline (or rebounder as they are also called), is one of the best forms of exercise for seniors known today. Rebounding on a mini-trampoline is a unique low-impact form of exercise that provides all of the healthful benefits of traditional exercise, but without the stress on joints and muscles that can sometimes make traditional exercising uncomfortable.

Walking is typically the primary form of exercise for seniors. Although it is excellent exercise when there are no restrictions, it can become difficult as bodies age and movements become limited. Exercising on a trampoline, however—with its flexible, forgiving, and gentle rebounding action—eliminates the stress on joints and muscles, enabling seniors to continue to enjoy the important benefits of exercise without pain or stress.

TRAMPOLINE EXERCISE IS BETTER FOR SENIORS THAN WALKING

To illustrate: While walking, a 150 lb person generates an average of 570 lb of pressure that the foot and leg must absorb. Expending a similar amount of energy while rebounding on a trampoline significantly reduces the amount of the pressure generated and therefore reduces the stress on joints and muscles. According to the findings of a University of Utah study on this subject, exercising on a  mini-trampoline reduces the impact pressure on the feet and legs by 83%. In other words, using the 150 lb person example, the 570 lb of pressure produced by walking is reduced to 97 lb when using a mini-trampoline.

Rebounding is great exercise. It forces the body to compensate for its location in space, therefore calling upon every muscle group to respond: legs, arms, and core. While much of the response occurs naturally without a lot of obvious effort, the body reacts with every rebound, thereby stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems, improving circulation and the body's ability to remove wastes, toxins, and fats. Rebounding exercise also strengthens the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and improves balance, coordination, and spatial awareness in the process.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT MY BALANCE?

Balance exercises for seniors can have an immediate impact on the health and well being of the actively aging. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013:

  • There were 2.5 million emergency room visits for nonfatal falls in the 65 and over age bracket; over 700,000 of these visits resulted in hospitalization.
  • The direct cost of these falls was estimated to be $34 billion.
  • 20-30% of these falls will result in moderate injuries that keep the active aging from being mobile and inhibit physical fitness.

From 9 months to 90 years balancing while walking, even though the simple obstacle course of a living room, is vital. Given the statistics above, it is important for the actively aging to increase their balance-ability.

FEEL HEALTHIER AND YOUNGER

In addition to these important health benefits, trampoline exercise is a lot of fun! Everyone naturally loves the sensations of flying and weightlessness. Maybe this is why kids start jumping almost the minute they learn to walk. In addition,  trampoline exercises for seniors can be incredibly freeing, eliminating the earthbound feel that sometimes comes with age and recapturing a bit of their youth.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A REBOUNDER

Not all  mini-trampolines are created equal. Low-cost rebounders tend to be too stiff and degrade quickly. Spring rebounders can be loud and stiff as well. JumpSport Fitness Trampolines have arched legs which ensure trampoline stability and are uniquely engineered to provide a forgiving surface with a quiet bounce. For additional user stability, we recommend using a handle bar.

EXAMPLE BALANCE EXERCISES FOR SENIORS

Balance exercises for seniors using a JumpSport Fitness Trampoline can help increase equilibrium while decreasing stress on joints and muscles.

“Toe Touch” Trampoline Balance Move

  • Start position: Stand on your JumpSport Fitness Trampoline with your feet a few inches apart. Put your arms straight out from your sides.
  • Right foot: Keeping your left knee slightly bent, lift your right foot and slowly tap the front of the frame with your toe, then tap the right side, then tap the front again. Finish at your starting position.
  • Left foot: Keeping your right knee slightly bent, repeat the same pattern tapping the front, side, front, and then return to your starting position.
  • Pace Modification: Each foot should take about 6 seconds to move through the complete motion. For more of a challenge, slow this down to 12 seconds per foot.
  • Handle Modification: Start by holding the handle with two hands and progress to one hand or no hands as your balance gets stronger.

“Straight Ahead Hold” Trampoline Balance Move

  • Start position: Stand on your JumpSport Fitness Trampoline with your feet a few inches apart. Put your arms straight out in front of you.
  • Right foot: Keeping your left knee slightly bent, lift your right foot straight out in front of you. Hold this as long as you can (5–30 seconds). Return to starting position.
  • Left foot: Repeat the same move with your left foot.
  • Repeat up to 5 times, if you can.
  • Handle Modification: Start by holding the handle with two hands and progress to one hand or no hands as your balance gets stronger.

LOOKING FOR MORE EXERCISES FOR SENIORS?

Learn to engage your core and enhance your posture with our Training Workouts ( DVD or streaming online). Professional instructors guide you through an energizing warm up, a unique sequence of static holds and dynamic functional movements before cooling down with revitalizing stretches. Integrating these workouts into your exercise routine will help you develop the health, strength, and wellbeing that’s integral in everyday movements and improved fitness.

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