When I first heard about rebounding for cancer, I thought it was a complete joke. How could jumping on a mini-trampoline help me with my cancer diagnosis? Is it even scientific that rebounders help with cancer at all? The science behind rebounding exercise is both interesting and convincing.
When I first wrote this post back in February of 2011, I was barely past my cancer diagnosis. It is amazing to be here 13 years later with a family of five children and have so much perspective! I am so grateful for my rebounder and we have tons of fun on it daily. I still highly recommend the Cellerciser because I have now seen how it has held up and of course, being cancer free, I wonder its role in supporting my immune system over the years.
A Little Bit About the Immune System
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a lymphatic cancer which means it affects the lymph system, a large part of the immune system. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune defense network that fights off infections, parasites, and abnormal cell growth like cancer. As long as it is functioning in peak condition it will filter out toxins and bodily invaders as it was designed to do. However, if the lymphatic system is burdened by a poor diet, lack of exercise, lingering viruses, and excess toxins, it cannot eliminate and the body begins to show symptoms of disease and other health problems.
Unlike many of the other systems in the body, the lymph system does not have a pump to transport its fluid. Instead, it relies on physical exercise to move lymph fluid throughout the body. The more stagnant we are, the weaker our immune systems become. This is yet another reason why doctors and health experts stress the importance of exercise. It’s not just all about weight loss. This is where rebounding comes into play.
Rebounding is a fun, and HIGHLY effective form of exercise. You are essentially weightless at the top of each jump (allowing your cells to decompress) and then land with twice the force of gravity on each bounce (causing your cells to compress). This is a key point. Instead of lifting weight away FROM gravity to exercise the cells in a single muscle group, rebounding increases the weight OF gravity, thereby exercising ALL of your body’s cells SIMULTANEOUSLY! In addition, this accelerated/decelerated bounce has MANY health benefits, including allowing the valves in your lymph system to open and close simultaneously (see image below,) thus optimizing the flow of lymph fluid.
Science Supporting Rebounders
Researchers at the University of Kentucky, in conjunction with NASA (link to study), concluded that “the magnitude of the biomechanical stimuli is greater with jumping on a trampoline than with running.” More simply put, jumping on a rebounder flexes and massages every cell in your body without added joint pressure and does it more effectively than more popular exercises. (And no, you don’t have to jump as high as I like to for it to work! 🙂 – A simple “health-bounce” of a few inches up and down will increase circulation and flush your entire lymphatic system within a couple minutes!)
Additional benefits of rebounding include:
- Increases cardiovascular fitness
- Greater balance and agility
- Improves circulation and blood pressure
- Reverse hardening of arteries
- Detoxify liver
- Improves digestion and elimination
- Lower elevated cholesterol & triglyceride levels
Springs vs. Bungee Rebounders
I like my rebounder with springs over those with bungees or bands which you will see on many other brands of rebounders. The bounce is different with bands and they can wear out over time vs. good quality spring rebounders.
There are several companies that make quality rebounders and they can come in different heights and styles. Some are designed to function more smoothly, others to be easier on joints, and some are easier to store and travel with it. The brand my husband Kevin researched and bought for me has all of the above, plus it is engineered to last a lifetime. It’s called the Cellerciser (cute name, given the cellular benefits of using it).
Of course, when I found out how much it was I flipped out, but the hubs had researched extensively. Amongst the quality, well-made rebounders available, its price is comparable. Now that we have had it for 13 years, I can attest that it is top notch and it has truly helped me. I have used it in pregnancy, while sick, and all of my children have used it for fun.
I encourage you to do your own research to find a quality rebounder worth investing in. There are rebounders on Amazon that are more affordable but may not hold up AND may not be as supportive of your spine and joints. Be careful not to compromise safety for price. The harsh impact from a cheap rebounder can have long term consequences for your joints and especially your spine. Here’s one reviewer’s video that demonstrates this (btw, they don’t mention any brand names, but see if you can recognize the rebounder of choice the girl picks at the end…). I like to think of it as buying a piece of REALLY AWESOME exercise equipment.
Nowadays I put my headphones on and bounce on our Cellerciser for a few minutes to an hour some days. I also like to use light weights or fitness bands to add some extra resistance for my upper body as I bounce. Update 2022: I’ve been posting some of my rebounding videos on my Instagram lately. 😉
You can grab your own Cellerciser HERE. (this is my affiliate link to the exact rebounder I own.)
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Hi! I just found your website when researching healthy living. Question- would jumping on a regular trampoline have the same benefits, or would it have to be one of the little mini trampolines?
Thanks 🙂
I’m sure it would have similar benefit, but it’s harder on your lower back for sure! I’m thinking that the mini ones with well made, firm springs or bands create more of the anti-gravity pull that were the original discoveries on the immune system in regards to rebounding. 🙂
Could sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing have the same effect on lymph system?
I’m thinking it would be helpful but the full body anti-gravity exercise on the entire body that rebounding offers is best. 😄
Hi, My mom lymph nodes in part of vaginal cuff and right foot is swollen (Lymph edema), Is it ok use this way?
She has ovarian cancer 3C stage with metastatic in her lymph nodes. I’m very worry.
If you’re using Gerson therapy I believe it’s 64 ounces!
Hi! Great & helpful site. My 2 comments have to do with other ways of lymphatic drainage & toning, namely a Chi Machine and Kangoo Jumps. When I first looked into this area, I was concerned about safety, portability and ease of use issues. I first tried the Chi Machine and loved it. Ended up buying a “generic” one about a year later at 1/3rd the cost that has held up well. Feel it effectively drains the lymphatic system in 15-30 mins. The KJ’s are just so much fun! They also accomplish what a rebounder does but you can do it indoors or out, can keep them on & do normal activities in the house/yard with an extra “boost” in circulation/toning and they help with weight loss as well. Cost on Ebay is reasonable for last year’s model or used.
I started rebounding after Christmas and I love it. I also jump to House of Pain and Kriss Kross. I am going to try the Sisters. Come baby Come is another nice jump song with “jump” in it and Beyonce’s B-Day has encourages you to “jump” also. Nice article.
HAHA, love it! 🙂 Keep jumping!!
HI, i’m so happy for your success with your health! Do you have the half fold or tri fold cellerciser?
Thank you
Trifold. Love it!
I love my rebounder and the benefits are great, however does anyone feel like they can no longer JUMP when you come off the rebounder.
HAHA Robert, sure do!
I DO also feel like I cannot jump when I come off my cellerciser, but only for a few minutes upon finishing jumping.
Is rebounding ok if have stenosis in mid spine? norak1212@yahoo.com. Thank you Karon
I’m not sure Karon. Check with your doctor on this one.
Hey there! Is this the rebounder you bought?
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Trampoline-Cellerciser-Rebounder-Kit/dp/B000EJCZL4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365469457&sr=8-1&keywords=Cellerciser
Does that seem like a reasonable price?I am considering purchasing one!
Thank you 🙂
Alex
Kevin and Cortney,
Thanks so much for your responses!
Barbara
Hi Barbara, before you buy the Bellicon, here is a great write-up on the pros of both the Bellicon and the Cellerciser. Both are premiere rebounders that, when used properly, offer substantial benefits. http://www.livestrong.com/article/351237-comparison-of-the-bellicon-rebounder-and-the-cellerciser/ — We went with the [tri-fold] Cellerciser because of its quality guarantee, and the ability to travel with it (It folds up into a luggage-style roll-away case which is quite convenient.)
Regarding your question, you can certainly firm and tone your body with rebounding. It just depends on the frequency, duration, and intensity of your workouts. And of course, 80% of your success will be diet-based, not exercise-based. 🙂
C – thanks so much for this informtion. It will definitely help me make my decision.
May I also ask………..did you find it effective in toning you? How about actual weight loss?
You look very thin, and you probably can’t even answer this second question since you had cancer at the time – you might not have been able to tell cause and effect if you were changing your diet radically, etc. while you were also rebounding.
I get how the rebounder helps keep the lymph system clear, etc. I’m just wondering if it’s effective for firming and toning. I don’t need to lose weight (although a couple of pounds would be nice) but I would like something that helped with firming.
Sorry to chip in more questions — thanks in advance for answering them if you can!
Barbara
p.s. Great website by the way!
Hey Barbara,
I would say that it could be effective in toning if you did it enough each day. I would hold 2 pound weights while I jumped and found it to be a fun variation on boring running or walking.
I was thin in that picture because I was on the raw vegan diet then, not because I was rebounding all of the time, for sure!
HTH!
Cortney
Cortney, do you think the stabilizing bar is necessary? And, are you still pretty good about using the trampoline? I’m thinking of investing in a Bellicon (very expensive) but want to be sure before I buy it. I hope it’s not something I get complacent about after investing that kind of money — so, trying to do a lot of homework before I buy!
Thanks,
Barbara
Hi Barbara-
No, I do not think the stabilizing bar is necessary at all unless a person has balance issues. I rarely used mine.
Currently we live in a very small apartment with an almost 2 year old, so I have found that it is difficult to have a rebounder out all of the time. So, to answer your questions honestly- NO, I am not good at using the rebounder often NOW. While I was beating my cancer I didn’t have a child and it didn’t matter that my rebounder sat in the middle of my living room, well- because I had cancer. so during that time I used it several times daily. Having it OUT lead me to using it very often.
If I did not have these “restrictions” now I would DEFINITELY still use it! It was so easy and once you start and put some good music on, it’s pretty fun too.
_C
Hahahaha! Awesome.
Great post Cortney!
I also rebounded several times a day as part of my anti-cancer regimen.
And have been planning on writing about this for some time…
but you beat me to it!
🙂
Chris