The Benefits of Rebound Exercise
Ok. It seems like I could not attract more attention if my hair was on fire when I run down the street in my Kangoo Jumps, (pictured right). They look like a ski boot with a big spring on the bottom. It`s pretty cool being six feet tall though even though dogs absolutely hate them plus it is difficult to get any exercise when people keep stopping you to ask what you are doing. I am exercising you turkey! I suggest you get really dark sunglasses and a pair of earphones for your Ipod that are the really gigantic over the ear type, the ones that look like you are going to fly off in a helicopter, if you want to get anywhere on your Kangoo boots. Unless you are trying to meet men. To heck with the singles bars, get yourself a set of these puppies.
Anyway, I thought for sure all the attention was just because I was in Cabo San Lucas, and I would see these things all over the place up in Canada and the US. However I bounced through several states and provinces and didn`t see even one person rebounding in their Kangoo Jumps. I think this is very odd because they are a great, effective and safe way to get your cardio exercise. Let me tell you why.
When I run in my Kangoo Jumps I take 80% of the impact out my cardio workout which my 48 year old knees and lower back really appreciate me for. My heart rate is up where it would be if I was running or jogging at a good clip, near 90% of my maximum, (for me that is around 145 BPM). Interestingly, I noticed that my heart rate stays higher for much longer after I stop than with regular cardio also. This phenomena is particularly interesting to me because it means I am still burning calories AFTER I stop moving. Normally, my heart rate drops from the cardio zone like a stone but the bouncing seems to be different for some reason.
Other benefits are that rebound exercise moves your lymph. Lymph does not move by itself. You have to move your lymph system by bouncing or jumping. This is an anti-cancer move. You are also detoxifying all your cells and bouncing your intestines up and down (i will let you imagine what that might do for you).
And here is what you are not doing ladies! You are not busting up the collagen in your face every time your foot hits the pavement! (Ever wonder why older women who run a lot look like prunes?). In fact, the detoxifying effect of the bouncing will give your face a little lift.
So where do you buy these crazy looking things? Uh, Switzerland. Yup, I guess that is why I don`t see them around. You can get them online though at www.kangoojumps.com They are a little pricey but then so are running shoes and most runners I know break down a pair or three of $125 running shoes every year. Check it out or email me at robynlittlewood@yahoo.com