Recent Update: Since writing this post, I found a great website, which includes a good deal of information about rebounding and related products. I am sharing it here: http://www.hoptrampoline.com/
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“Buy quality.’ It is an interesting directive. Most people I have heard weighing in on this, whether friends, family or Hollywood celebs, tout the sentiment. I have one friend whose mother taught her that ‘buying quality means buying less’ (implying that quality items last longer, or do a better job). I doubt that this particular friend even knows what a ‘Dollar Store’ is, let alone ever stepped inside of one.
My conflict is that I have had lots of experiences teaching me this is not always true. Sometimes it is, yes, of course. But, you can’t count on it. When safety is a factor, then I have little question about buying quality items. Otherwise I keep coming back to contradictory life experiences.
I have owned cheap clothing that I couldn’t wear out despite repeated washings. I have had expensive cosmetics (you know the 1000% mark-up kind) that haven’t been as satisfying as the drug store brands. I have purchased numerous small appliances on the high-end that barely make it through their planned-obsolescence warranty period before dying. In my previous house, we had installed both high-end and low-end flooring in which the latter installed easier, wore better, lasted longer and looked equally attractive. And no matter how expensive a shampoo I buy, the hair of the ‘Suave’ girls always surpasses my most zealous attempts. I could go on (really, I could), but this blog is about deciding to buy a piece of exercise equipment at the very highest end, very lowest, or somewhere in between.
You may remember that in early months of my blog I wrote about this exercise activity, in ‘The Ups and Downs of That Rebounder Thing’ and ‘Do the Benefits of Rebounding Go Up and Down.’ I plugged the advantages of this rather inexpensive activity for all ages and fitness levels (even for those with certain injuries or disabilities). And I am still hooked.
I admit part of it is a ‘fun factor.’ It reminds me of my childhood in upstate New York where they had these outdoor, in-ground, side-by-side trampoline ‘amusement parks.’ You paid a small fee for an hour’s time. The particular business I remember didn’t survive, but it was fun while it lasted. [Except for the story of my then teenage brother who visited it with friends after a secret, underage binge-drinking party. That was a good lesson teaching what not to do after alcohol use.] But I digress.
Short Reminder
Rebounding is not a silly kid’s activity (although they seem to love it). It is an opposing-gravity movement that is always described as ‘exercising all your cells.’ The acceleration and deceleration of this trampoline action increases the G-force on all our cells, whether musculoskeletal or visceral. And since our cells are replaced all the time; the idea of the activity is to improve them as they are replaced. Enhancement includes both toning from the inside-out and outside-in, building up bone density and muscles (isometrically and isotonically). Besides exercise for muscle and bone, the concept of the visceral health benefit is that the oscillation of forces greatly increases the body’s cellular diffusion. This diffusion process (which causes molecules to move in and out of cells) is especially noted with lymphatic circulation. Thus, all in all increasing general fitness and health. And best is that it accomplishes this with low impact fitness.
Some ballyhooed claims from certain promoters might be a bit over the top. Still, I understand their enthusiasm. Even what some call the ‘Health Bounce’ or the ‘Gentle Bounce’ or the ‘Baby Bounce’ is a safe and salubrious activity, immensely beneficial with little required effort or time. And with added effort or time comes greater reward. While that is true of most exercise, it is amazing what the added element of G-force does to escalate the time/effort return on investment. No matter what age, or what condition you are in, there is a benefit to be had. [As I mentioned in my earlier pieces, you can even start out sitting on the mat instead of standing for your exercise routine. And later this sitting position is a surprising good workout for abs.]
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I was convinced I wanted one (I had owned one before) but I had to grapple with the trade-off of quality and cost. This is where I was not convinced.
One late afternoon walking near the local university, I passed a single-family residence with student housing. [Not to sound too intolerant, but I am sad to say you can always ‘just tell’ it is full of students, bless their hearts.] Under the patio, I spied a rebounder that looked little used or loved. I thought to myself ‘I bet they would take $15 just to have me take it away.’ I was tempted to ask.
It was the type I had seen many times before (similar to what I had owned) and the kind you can find new from $25-45 on sale at department stores, some athletic shops or through Amazon. I wasn’t just embarrassed to inquire (although that is possible). No, my first hesitation was about size.
I had decided that I wanted to get one of the newer models, a type that folds away if you need to store it for a while. You may remember that we had relocated not that long ago and it remains difficult to find the right place for everything. Never enough space. Thus I figured a few extra bucks for the convenience of a closet-friendly brand was worth it. While not true years ago, there are now numerous units which either fold in half, in thirds or even in quarters. Generally the smaller they can store, the larger the price tag.
It seemed that because of space, I wasn’t going to get by with a $25 special. But what would I be deciding to buy? What points to consider? And how much to spend? It was a year-end self-gift, so I had time to do more research. My numbers and information in the comparison section are from that time (late 2015).
Things to Consider
The ‘appendix’ below, lists prices and options I found on particular models, but first I had to decide what I wanted or needed. What were the characteristics of greatest value to me? And what problems could I avoid by learning from the mistakes of others?
Stabilizing bar. If you or anyone who might use the rebounder feels less than confident of their balance, go with this option. On some models, it can be removed fairly quickly. I didn’t think it was necessary, but considered buying it up-front to save money on Shipping and Handling (S/H) later, assuming I might want it one day. Additionally, you can use it for fancy foot work if you are so inclined. For those who want a more aerobic workout but still feel less-than-sure of themselves on the mat, a finger or two on the bar is indeed ‘stabilizing.’ In my mind, it does make the mat area feel psychologically smaller, but no deal breaker.
Mats. Some of the promoters claim that the mats of inexpensive or lesser quality units can cause physical problems. The advice is to avoid any rebounder with a vinyl, nylon or canvas mat (if you could actually find a canvas mat). Of course, those are the inexpensive models. Many types of rebounders use some form of polypropylene material, and the gold-standard appears to be ‘Permatron.’ Further, ‘seared stitched’ Permatorn may be the ultimate. [If you plan on having the rebounder outside, get a black Permatron, not blue; it will hold up better.] But mostly, what you don’t want is a mat that can stretch and cause the foot to slightly turn (pronate) on the bounce – ultimately bothering your ankles, knees, hip or even back. In other words, you don’t want a mat that can stretch out of shape, even slightly. I have been strongly warned that this CAN happen with cheaper models. I didn’t notice it myself with my previous unit, but admit that I feel the need to extend the caution because even if they are not alike, sometimes mats can look the same and feel rather similar. Yet, even a small unstable action (repeated over and over) could be a problem. My husband claims that he is able to feel a difference in his knees from our old to new equipment. Weighing more than I do, that could be a factor.
Springs. This is an issue according to many online complaints. Perhaps I was just lucky, but I owned my cheap model for decades and never had a problem with ONE spring. Still lots of people say they can break and have to be replaced. David Hall’s Cellercise boasts a patented ‘triple-tiered spring’ (rated to over 350 lbs and shown in picture), which self-adjusts to weight and is less prone to ever break. We were swayed by this. Although I have to verify there were still incidents of breakage reported on line. Incidentally, Cellercise sends a couple extra springs. I did rather wonder why if they are ‘so superior’ would they provide extras. The Bellicon which uses a bungee system can stretch in other ways, and can also fray. Some sellers and experts say that if you are buying a ‘bungee’ unit you can’t do a simple little up and down like on typical spring rebounders and expect the same health benefits. They advise that you must jump much higher for the same results on these types. Nevertheless, some people like the ‘feel’ of the bungee systems better (at least at the time of their purchase).
Semi-tapered springs (as in the Urban rebounder) are accused of over-estimating the weight they are rated for, and not being heavy-duty enough. Yet this unit is often used for high-end aerobics. The springs affect the feel of the bounce, but people tend to truly have different preferences for the ‘feel’ of the mat and springs. I would, only-half jokingly, advise you to consider the best springs you are willing to ‘spring’ for.
Special tip on springs. For any unit you receive you should immediately try the ‘spoon test.’ Tap a spoon a few times on every spring. They should all sound about the same; otherwise there could be a defect. If they don’t all sound similar, call the manufacture to replace the one (or more) that sound different.
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Foldable. Beside what I already said about size and storage, there is one more advantage I would not have expected (and of which I am still a bit leery). Some experts claim that the seams in the foldable models (bi-fold, 1/3 or quarter) are more cushioning of movement and thus more comfortable over time.
Squeaky Sounds. This was important to me because I didn’t want to hear squeaking. Some sites rate the noise. I have jumped on plenty of squeaky ones myself and admit that my previous, inexpensive one was definitely noticeable in the noise department. [I am being understated.] I saw a video of a doctor jumping on 3 products (Rebound Air, Jump Sport and Cellercise), trying to figure out which was best for his patients. In that video, the Cellersie seemed quietest, and others agree. However, several writers noted that a drop of Graphite on noisy springs should do the trick (and keep them in better shape). In passing, there is advice not to use either WD-40 or 3in1 oil.
Reasonable Return Policy. Just in case. [S/H is bad enough; watch out for restocking fees.]
Consider your Weight. While many units claim they are rated for about 300 lb, some are rated for even greater poundage. If you are really heavy it is best to read more about it. There are brands (such as Needak) that sell a ‘hard bounce’ rebounder especially for people over 280 lbs.
The Extras. Almost ALL brands come with exercise and instructional videos. Generally, you don’t really need them, but they can provide movement ideas not to mention simply being fun and inspiring. Most foldable models come with a carrying case (but not all).
More Information for Comparisons. There are lots of promoters out there. Everyone seems to have their favorites, or maybe they are paid to have favorites. I did find some sites that appear to give a reasonable critique of different models. Try going to HealthyTrampolines.com for more comparisons. They do sell, so there may be some bias, but you will still be able to adequately evaluate pros and cons. I am uncertain if the site Lymphatic Rebounding is actually a separate comparer, it may be, but I saw some shared info on the two sites. An older site which may not be up-to-date, but does give assessments of various brands, is Rebounder Reviews.
My Decision
I ended up purchasing the Cellersice. The decision was based specifically on the claimed benefits of the springs and mat. Interestingly, when we did the ‘spoon test’ we did not feel like all the springs sounded the same, even though this brand had passed all the tests reported on-line. And while they provided extra springs in the first shipment, admittedly we decided to give it a little time since the mat and bounce felt so good. We’ll see.
I went with the deal to buy the stabilizing bar to avoid later S/H. We put the bar on and basically haven’t removed it, even though neither of us tends to use it a great deal. My husband claims he uses it because he sometimes wishes to close his eyes. [I don’t recommend that.] Indeed, the bar is kind of nice for gently stepping off the mat.
One point I would dispute is that the Cellercise stabilizing bar is easy to put on and remove. Ha! Since I haven’t owned or compared bars before I cannot speak to the other brands, but in no way would I describe this as a ‘quick and easy’ step. Good thing we like it on.
The question remains, was the quality purchase the right decision? I am not totally certain. My husband believes that the mat quality and self-adjust springs are a plus for him and men in particular (who tend to be heavier). Further he thinks this unit makes a big difference for his knees when rebounding. As of yet, I personally cannot tell the difference between my old equipment and the new expensive one, except that the older one had a larger bounce area. The smaller step area of the new unit is common in the more modern models. Regarding the ‘feel’ of the bounce, I also admit I am relying on memory. I didn’t have the advantage of bouncing on my old equipment right next to the new one for comparison.
I was willing to invest in the ‘better’ equipment on the chance it is safer or at least superior for landing position (important to ankles, knees and hips particularly). But I am taking this on faith. I can’t detect it myself – at least not yet.
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All this being said, I feel that rebounding is so beneficial that if all one could afford was one of the more modest brands, I wouldn’t hesitate on the purchase. [That is especially true if the goal was strictly for the Health Bounce benefits.] I only hope that my ‘quality’ purchase endures as long, and in as good shape, as did my original modest purchase.
Either way, the price of the Health Bounce, in terms of dollars or the few minutes a day needed for the rewards, is a substantial value.
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Appendix – Comparisons
This is what I found when looking at some of the more popular brands available.
Bellicon – had no foldable units. Legs do fold down. Works with bungee suspension. Prices I have seen vary greatly. One of the standard models was over $600 and these can sell for surprisingly high costs. The screw-in leg model in which the legs don’t fold is a bit cheaper, but still around the $450-500 range. Some folks swear by the feel of the bungee ‘springs.’ The G-force benefits may require more effort on bungee units.
Urban Rebounder – this company now has a foldable unit. The good news is that it is one of the most ‘middle of the road’ price tags above the low end versions. You can get it WITH a stabilization bar for under $150 (saw it on Amazon for $138). Shipping and Handling (S/H) varied. Additionally it is known for good aerobic workouts. But I would caution more research if you are considering this one. It has semi-tapered springs (which no one seems to glow about). I have read complaints of flimsy feel to frame and mat (important for landing position). People complain that it is on the noisy side for a rebounder, and worse if the stabilizing bar is on. Truth be told, I think I was turned off by the ‘macho’ presentation of the workout videos and muscle-building emphasis of the sales pitch.
Jump Sport – the 300 series was $359. The stabilizing Bar was $80. Free S/H. You had to remove the legs to fold the unit. Jump Sport models are bungee systems. Lots of people like the soft bungee cord systems, but others suggest it is best if not used for hard aerobic workouts. Reviews are all over the place on this brand. It is difficult to tell if some of the praise or complaints are based on one model and not another. Take care in the model selection to know what you are getting. Note: I have seen Jump Sport 550 series, also foldable and with a bar, at Costco for $399.99 (otherwise known as $400.) I have also seen this on Amazon for much cheaper and on the company site (at the time of writing) for around $199 (for a foldable unit). Some of their models are in the $400-500 range.
Needak – $334 or $419 with the stabilizing bar. This is a foldable unit with spring-loaded, fold-down legs. The skirt to cover springs was $18 extra. S/H $38. Needak bar is considered very stable. They have a special model specifically for people who weigh more than 280lbs. The ‘feel’ of the Needak is described as soft, yet it is recommended for multi-purpose activity (unlike some ‘soft’ feel brands, which are recommended only for the gentle health bounce). It generally has very good reviews. Contact info.
Cellercise – the bi-fold unit $335. Bar alone $80. A package deal included the bi-fold and bar for $390, with S/H $30 (which can be $40 or more sold separately) for a total of $420. They also have a more-expensive tri-fold. The patented double-dipped ‘self-adjusting springs,’ have a very good reputation from what I read. Some claim that the cellercise makes ‘no noise.’ So far I don’t buy that, but have read that unlike some rebounders, these springs become quieter over the months than when first purchased. Hmmmm. The Cellercise bar is a bit harder to put on the first time (and maybe any time), but it is very stable and may be the only one adjustable for height.
Rebound Air – bi-fold normally $350 on site, sale listed at $320 late last year (sale price seen recently was less than $300). Bar $80 and Free S/H. They have a special quarter fold model (has a few more plastic parts than the others) called the ultimate model. On sale (at their site) the ultimate can be found for $370. The quality, sound and use of this brand are similar to the other top models. Very good reviews.
Lympholine – doesn’t fold and is not what you would call ‘transportable.’ Unique trapezoid shape (so not round) has a patented spring loaded leg, which actually goes up and down as you bounce. While promoters claim it is ‘softer’, others say it is stiffer and takes more energy. Some writers suggest this only for the health bounce or lymph circulation activities, meaning not aerobic. I have never tried one of these and thus cannot attest to anything about it personally. Approximately $429 if you can find one. I would not be surprised if this model is being discontinued.
Freedom Spring Rebounder – also a trapezoid shape, like the Lympholine. Standard unit doesn’t fold. Its unique quality is a wall mounted system of resistance cords. Whole system is about $400 (on-line) and about $500 from company. The new foldable model is about $550. The wall mounted system of cords can be purchased separately for about $125 (and can be used with any rebounder).
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