Rebounding is super fun and provides major health benefits from boosting balance, digestion, lymphatic drainage and immune function. Rebounding is also more than twice as effective as running without extra stress on the ankles and knees.
Rebounding is unique since it uses the forces of acceleration and deceleration and can work on every cell in the body. When you bounce, acceleration occurs as you bounce up, then a split-second weightless pause at the peak, a deceleration at an increased G-force on the way down, then impact to the rebounder, and you repeat.
In general, the more springs a rebounder has, the better it tends to be. However, the better a rebounder is, the more you’ll pay. Regardless of your budget, I don’t believe that you need to spend more than $250 on an at-home rebounder. And you don’t need a bungee rebounder…don’t believe the hype. Springs work just fine. Over the last ten years I’ve used many brands and can recommend a great one for almost every budget.
Here’s what to look for:
Comfort: Like a car, all rebounders have a different feel. Some will feel great jumping barefoot, and with some you’ll want to save your soles and wear shoes. If you prefer jumping with sneakers, you’ll be able to spend less. But, if you’re planning on jumping 15 minutes daily, a couple times a week, or a few times a month and you prefer working barefoot, you might want to spring for a comfier one.
Bounce: You’ll sink into some rebounders and they’ll give you a lot more bounce, while others will be firm and give you barely any bounce at all. Bounce has nothing to do with quality, it really all depends on the type of workout you want. If it’s for cardio (LB rebounder workouts for sure!) then choose a bouncier one; if it’s mainly for lymphatic drainage, get a tighter one and stay low. Low bouncing is easier and you won’t get as tired.
Frame Quality: If you get a rebounder with a lousy frame, it will wear over a short period of time. If you’re going to be using it heavily, get one that can withstand some bouncing. Some rebounders fold up for easy storage, so if you’re tight on space, keep that in mind. Personally I’m not a fan of the foldable ones. Some take two people to fold and lock into place, and god forbid your finger gets caught in there. They sorta scare me, but I’m also scared of bees so…
Here are my top four rebounder picks in three price ranges. Honestly, I don't love any rebounder in the $100-$150 range, most have straight legs so they walk away from you as you jump and most tend to be pretty noisy.
1. Jumpsport Model 250 ($249). I have this one at home and it's top of the line. I love it b/c the frame is sturdy and slightly smaller, it's super lightweight, and the arched legs keep it still on the ground during the highest of jumps. You can also adjust the firmness and tension which is awesome. The 250 gives you freedom of movement because you can jump on those padded petals, so there's a lot more surface area. This one will last you for life - even with heavy usage.
2. Jumpsport Model 220 ($229) Just like the model 250, but the 220 gives you less jumping area without the petals but still provides a LOT of bounce and all the bells and whistles.
3. Ancheer Rebounder ($62-$78) These models are sturdy and one folds up twice, but all are firm with a low bounce. If you prefer staying low or are tall and have low ceilings these are a great option.
4. Stamina Folding Rebounder ($31.89) This quiet little rebounder comes in chic colors and folds up if you're looking to save space. It's very reasonably priced but is a starter model so I'm guessing this will last you six months to one year if you're planning on jumping one hour daily/5x a week. This one is a great option if you're looking to jump in and then upgrade in time.