Thursday, October 23, 2008

Trampoline Exercises - A Healthy Alternative

By Ned DAgostino

Sometimes kids know what adults don't. And certainly any child will tell you that jumping on a trampoline is fun. But understand that trampolines are not just for kids. Adults are learning that bouncing is not only fun, but that trampoline exercises are a tremendous way to get healthy.

If you've ever attempted an exercise routine, chances are you quit because it became boring. It's probably the main reason people don't stick to them. But since trampolines are so much fun, there's a better chance you'll stay with the routine. And you'll be losing weight and toning your muscles without the aid of a bunch of other exercise equipment.

So how does it work? Well obviously bouncing on a trampoline is a cardiovascular workout. Like running on the streets or on a treadmill, it will increase your heart rate and strengthen a lot of your vital organs. This type of exercise will also increase your metabolism, which in turn, speeds up your efforts to lose weight. And the constant motion on a trampoline will improve your blood flow, give you more endurance, and also help rid your body of many toxins that lead to weight gain and poor health.

Your leg muscles will tone up quickly because of the constant jumping motion. If you'd rather work on the muscles in your back, simply keep your legs straight when you jump. You can strengthen your arms as well by adding some arm motions, such as swinging them every time your feet touch. And to quickly increase strength, you can use ankle weights or put a small dumbbell in each hand. Don't do this however until you've been on your routine for a while.

Trampoline exercise can be especially helpful to people with back problems. The motion of jumping up and down will release tension and strain. And since these exercises are low impact, there's little additional stress on your joints. Joggers often quit because of the constant pounding on their knees, ankles and feet. A trampoline removes this, and can be a great way for someone recovering from a leg injury to get back into exercising.

And it's your body weight being used to tone and strengthen muscles, no additional weight is needed.

It's been proven many times over that exercise is crucial at any age. Senior citizens can benefit from a trampoline as well. Just 20 minutes each day will give you a great workout without straining muscles, bones and joints.

Look, if you spend some time every night watching the television, your favorite movie DVD's or listening to music, why not do it while jumping on a trampoline? You'll burn those unwanted calories, give your muscles a great workout, and increase your lung capacity. Simply put, you'll be more healthy for it.

And since you'll be enjoying yourself, you'll be more likely to stay with your routine for a long time. - 15255

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