1. What are the differences between ReboundAIR™ rebounders, the Needak brand, the Urban Rebounder and other exercise mini-trampolines?

2. How is the The ReboundAIR™used in a clinical or therapeutic setting?
The ReboundAIR™ is, without a doubt, an exceptional piece of exercise equipment that will benefit people of all ages as well as a wide variety of patients in the arena of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and cardiovascular rehabilitation. It's simple, extremely sturdy, inexpensive and easy to learn. As a Pilates Method exercise instructor and Swiss Ball enthusiast, I really appreciate low impact workouts. In fact, the ReboundAIR™ both compliments and extends the therapeutic benefits of both the Pilates Method and Therapeutic Ball techniques. The ReboundAIR™ is an excellent exercise technique for people who dislike health clubs or for so many folks who complain of lack of time for exercise. Patients are really drawn to the ReboundAIR™, and in a period of about a week, two doctors purchased the unit after trying it in my office. I am very impressed with the ReboundAIR™, how it's been engineered and expect to be using it personally and recommending it to others for many years to come.
Sincerely, Neil Primack, P.T. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

3. What is the difference in strength between the units that fold and the non-folding models?
Product testing and long-term client use shows no structural integrity differences between the folding and non-folding models.

4. What are the dimensions and user weight limitations for the rebounders?
The dimensions are the same for all the ReboundAIR™ models: 40 inch diameter frame-to-frame and a large 28 inch diameter mat. Under the Lifetime Warranty, there is a 300 lb. client weight limitation (400 lb. on the Quarter Fold).

5. Is Rebounding safe during pregnancy?
We know of many clients who rebound as their preferred method of exercise during pregnancy. Each has their own level of intensity and duration, according to comfort level, especially listening to their bodies, taking into consideration their beginning condition, activity level during pregnancy and prior to conception, and as recommended... (here it comes) according to the case-specific instructions of their doctor. (Disclaimer: Clear it with your doctor first. He or she will know your individual medical needs.)

Guidelines and one example:

Remind yourself of your fitness level before conception. Those who respond well to gentle exercises were already engaged in fitness activities prior to conception. Those women who were quite fit before, can do a lot more at a higher intensity and greater frequency while feeling perfectly comfortable during the rebound routine. Those who were (or are) sedentary and pregnant should proceed with caution even after clearing it with their doctor.

For example, my sister rebounds before, during and after each of her pregnancies for various reasons, including incontinence rehabilitation, circulation to and from all parts of her body and baby, lymphatic circulation, fitness without impact to the joints (probably #1 reason women choose rebounding over other exercises during pregnancy), etc. I mean, since they don't have a swimming pool conveniently located in their living room.

My sister is the poster child for rebounding as a gentle, effective mode of exercise while expecting the little addition to the family.Post-partum, the rebounder can be also used as a gentle way to rock the baby asleep! This I do with my daughter every now and then since she was born. Just hold her in your arms and do a low, gentle health bounce without clearing the mat.

6.What evidence can you provide beyond claims and testimonials?
Based on this common belief, we know rebounding is at least a legitimate aerobic modality because we are able to safely achieve and maintain our target heart rate by using it as recommended. This duration and intensity places demands on the Krebs cycle within the mitochondia of the cells, related to endurance improvements, energy consumption (fueled primarily by free fatty acids from our adipose fat stores) and ATP production, the energy currency of the cells. The by-product of this process at this aerobic intensity level is CO2, water and heat, rather than lactic acid and heat.

In short, we are able to workout within all the parameters (frequency, intensity, duration, mode) outlined and recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine for optimal health benefits. (More:Rebound Aerobics Video)

Rebound Exercise is fun for most people so it will be performed more often. "Exercise is effective only if the person actually exercises!" One key is to find something you enjoy doing. Our follow-along video called "Keep on Rebounding!" is enjoyable. Clients lose weight and tone up with this routine three to five times a week. They often comment how enjoyable rebounding is, especially compared to the treadmill or stationary biking ("spinning"). (More: ReboundAIR™ vs. Treadmills)

Some describe how convenient it is, requiring no special clothing (barefoot, socks, athletic shoes, shorts... all optional) or no time consuming trip to the club.

The low level of trauma and impact to the joints gives it additional benefits superior to many forms of high impact exercise. Joint health is a hot topic for baby boomers, joggers and injured athletes. Incidentally, this is why rebounders are used as physical therapy tools for the disabled, obese, elderly and just about anyone else with a special need.

The up and down motion effectively opens and closes the millions of one-way valves found within our Lymphatic Systems. Yes, other exercise forms of exercise result in lymph circulation, but because of rebounding's vertical motion, it seems to do this particularly well. Most of our valves are positioned vertically, hence vertical motion is favorable simply due to our anatomy. For example, interstitial fluid from the lower extremity is moved upward where it is filtered and finally drained back into the blood in a particular location, up at the clavicle level. ("Thoracic Duct" of the Lymphatic System, our internal vacuum cleaner.)

Beyond this, rebound exercise is an unfamiliar environment that your body must adjust to by developing additional balance and coordination. This is an interesting topic because, to me, it is an amazing process. It involves feedback from the proprioceptors in the joints telling the cerebellum instant information about the joints' angles and the limbs position in space. This is combined with visual clues of the fixed external environment and the motion detected in the inner ear. Oversimplified, the result is a keener sense of balance, kinesthetic awareness or "air sense".

Put your hands on your abs and back while jumping. Feel them contract to keep your body upright at the bottom of every bounce many times per minute! Try it! With time, you will tone up and notice the difference. We like to call this a result of the "G-Force effect". For a split second at the bottom of the bounce, as your body slows down, loading the springs, changes directions and starts its way back up, you will weigh about 2 to 3 times your own body weight. Your muscles and connective tissues must respond to this increased demand placed on them by getting stronger. Sure, this demand is applied with other forms of exercise, but not without instantaneous impact to the joints, which could have chronic pain/damage ramifications over time. Question is, will damage occur sooner or later? We feel it preferable to obtain the same exercise benefits while protecting and strengthening the skeletal system. We must rely on our skeletal framework for a lifetime!

These are just a few thoughts. More can be found in Al's best seller The New Miracles of Rebound Exercise. He is currently writing a new book, the title to be announced.