Vertically bouncing up and down first became an exercise for physical health in 1938 when an inventor produced the first miniature trampoline. While it’s not an exercise regimen you see a lot of folks flocking to (it may bring to mind an aerobics-wear clad woman of the ‘80s, scrunchied ponytail bouncing with a fervor) REBOUNDING has a lot of documented health benefits. Most notably, it’s ability to stimulate lymph circulation. Because the force of gravity actually increases each time you land you get a strong flow of lymph fluid running throughout the lymph channels and nodes as opposed to the trickling flow that happens during regular day activities.

CJ Puotinen explains in the Jan/Feb 2014 Well Being Journal, “On the rebounder, it takes about two minutes to pump lymph fluid from the feet all the way up into the thoracic duct area.” But, you may be wondering, why is lymph circulation so important? Well, the lymph system is an important aspect of the immune system–it removes waste from cells throughout the body. You may be more familiar with the concept of lymph nodes (especially when they’re swollen) but the lymph is a clearish-yellowish fluid that hangs out inside those nodes and contains your immune system’s infection fighting lymphocytes.

The main organ of your lymph system is the spleen which acts as a regeneration center for blood. Your spleen breaks down old red blood cells and uses their iron for new hemoglobin. AND it makes more lymphocytes which in turn flow through your tissues and knock out most infections before they can enter your bloodstream. Fairly important stuff! Toxins can get all up in your business and if your lymph drainage is impaired or the flow is constricted they collect, pool and lead to trouble.

You may have insufficient lymph circulation and not even realize. Some common warning signs include edema, dark circles, swollen ankles or legs and cellulite. So rebounding seems like a fun way to keep the lymph flowing nicely! I would love to invest in one of these…

from Target,

from Carter Fitness,

or from Amazon.

and maybe start bouncing with one of these routines…

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What do you think? Would you try it?