By Jodee Weiland

Many years ago, I wanted to lose weight and be able to exercise without having to go to a gym. At the time the cost of a gym was not something I could afford with a young family and all the expenses that go along with having children. I also wanted something that would be easy to use, while maintaining the busy schedule of a young mother and later, a working mother. When I first attempted to find something that fit this description, I found it in a most unexpected place.

I was shopping in one of the local retail stores and attempting to find a new workout video. The problem with workout videos and having small children to attend to or being a working mom, there is a small window of opportunity during the day to be able to use one.  Nonetheless, I continued to look for those videos that were short enough to give me a good workout in what time I could squeeze in during the day. Don’t get me wrong, I use quite a few workout videos that I love, but sometimes it’s difficult to find a time when you can put one on and use it without either interrupting someone else or being interrupted by someone else.

On this one particular day, I was searching for something new and inexpensive to use for exercise, as was my habit at the time, and as my eyes searched the aisles and shelves, I noticed something I had not come across before. There in front of me was a box labeled Rebounder Mini Trampoline. At first I thought it was some sort of toy, but on closer inspection, I realized it was an inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to store piece of workout equipment. At the time, the price was about twenty-five dollars and much easier to afford than a treadmill, so I thought to myself, “Why not?” I decided to give it a try, and that has been a decision I have never regretted to this day.

I still use my mini trampoline, even though I now have a workout room in my home with a treadmill and an elliptical, as well as weight training equipment, plus more. Although I use these other pieces of equipment, I still find my mini trampoline to be the easiest to use, anywhere any time.  I will put it in front of the television while watching a movie, the news, a TV program, whatever and jog in place, sometimes for an hour or more.  The best part is that it allows me to jog indoors no matter what the weather is outdoors, and I don’t have to worry about impact injuries to my body. As a matter of fact, after a fall jogging outdoors several years ago and sustaining injuries to my knees, the mini trampoline has helped to alleviate the pain in my knees associated with that injury, while my treadmill did not. I, also, sustained an injured disc in my back, and the mini trampoline has helped strengthen my back once again as well.

I have purchased one or two replacements, since that first purchase years ago, but I have never paid more than thirty-five dollars, although there are now mini trampolines priced over one hundred dollars or more, as well as the less expensive but still durable versions. They also have ones with folding legs, attached stabilizing bars to hold on to as you jog, etc. They are usually about 36 to 38 inches wide with easily removable legs, but they vary in size and style. If you decide to look into a mini trampoline, an increase in popularity has made them available at even more stores and online if you search for mini trampoline or rebounder. Nowadays mini trampolines are easily accessible and have features I don’t remember seeing early on when I first purchased one.

The bottom line is the mini trampoline is a safe effective way to get a good cardiovascular workout in your home with an easy to use, low cost piece of exercise equipment. The benefits are that it will improve cardiovascular fitness not only by helping you to lose those extra pounds, but also by toning your legs, buttocks, abs, and even your back.  It will help increase your metabolism and control your weight. It is, without a doubt, an easy and effective way to fit exercise into anyone’s schedule, no matter how busy you may be, because you can do it while watching the television or even while you talk on the phone.  It’s that easy!  The intensity you use with the mini trampoline is up to you, but even a low jog will bring health benefits to you that will improve your life. You can even add a weight belt or handheld weights to your workout to add intensity. The benefits for you are there, just try it…what have you got to lose?

Enjoy!