ChiBouncing F.A.Q. # 2: Rebounders & Rebounding Equipment

Is it really necessary to spend a couple of hundred dollars or more on a high quality rebounder? Why can’t I just get a cheap one at the local sports store, or at Wal-Mart, or online?

Well, you can if you like, but it probably won’t last very long or give you a very satisfactory rebounding experience. Rebounders have evolved over the last few decades and current high quality models employ a wide range of design features and upgrades that are still missing from cheaper units, including a good mat, large-bellied springs, the use of pins instead of connecting the mat directly to the frame, folding capability, and so on.

The fact is, you can't rebound without a rebounder, and a poorly made rebounder will neither last nor give you the experience you are looking for. Think of a rebounder of being an investment on the order of an inexpensive bicycle. If you really use it a few times a week, and you really experience a variety of simple exercise-related health benefits (no less other potential psychological and spiritual benefits), isn't it worth it?

What’s the difference between a string-based rebounder and a spring-based rebounder?

Most rebounders today are made with metal springs. At least one company (from Europe) has now put out a top-of-the-line string- or bungy-based rebounder that gives an outstandingly enjoyable bounce. If you want the best that you can get (to my knowledge), then one of these European-made string-bounders is it. On the bottom-end, Wal-Mart had been selling a $20 band-based rebounder which was recently in the news for being recalled.

Again, though, most of the rebounders you are likely to see or possibly by for the next few years will still be spring-based, but in the future I expect the string- or bungy-based units to make strong inroads because they are so nice to bounce on, and because it is far, far easier to deal with the bungy cords than it is to deal with springs. When springs need to be replaced, it can be a true nightmare. (And never, ever, buy a spring-based unit that doesn’t have a spring cover on it. I have seen shrapnel come flying out of a poorly made spring-based rebounder that was advertised as not needing a cover because the springs could not possibly break. Not!

How much will I need to spend for a new unit?

If you are buying a rebounder for less than $100, it is almost certain that it is not a high quality unit. On the top end, rebounders can cost up to several hundred dollars. The string-bounders described above cost over $600 delivered if you live in the United States. Most high quality rebounders cost around $200 to $250 delivered. The rebounders sold by JB Berns in association with his Urban Rebounding™ program are sold for less than this, and in some ways they are an excellent value, although they do not have a Permatron® mat and there is some confusion out there as to the difference between his “home, but gym quality” units and the ones he actually uses in health clubs.

Is it necessary to have a Permatron® mat?

Permatron®, a DuPont product, has been the gold standard against which all other rebounder mats have been measured for quite some time because of its resiliency, durability, smooth feel, and excellent bounce characteristics. However, some rebound manufacturers prefer to not use Permatron® mats because it is thought that in sweaty gym environments they are more slippery (as Permatron® mats are “calendered”). I strongly recommend bouncing without shoes or socks –  for a number of reasons – and my belief is that most people who bounce barefoot will find Permatron® mats preferable.

Do I need any other equipment?

Not really. If you want to use light hand weights while rebounding, make sure you have comfortable ones such as neoprene covered dumbbells or “sand bags” specifically designed for use while rebounding. Always have water available, and you might want to have a clock that you can see. If you like rebounding to music or TV, make sure you are prepared ahead of time.

What kind of clothing should I wear?

Clothing that binds, is too tight, or that otherwise prevents or constricts your movement in any way should be avoided. Generally, wear loose, comfortable, clothing. If it is warm enough (outdoors or indoors), you can bounce in shorts and short sleeves, and some people may prefer to bounce shirtless. Many women prefer to wear a sports bra or another supporting garment on top, and some men like to wear support below. If you are bouncing outdoors, then you might want long pants and even a sweatshirt, depending on the weather.

Specific Rebounder Brand Recommendations

Some of you have asked or may ask: Yes, but which rebounder should I buy?

OK, for general purposes, here is the rough hierarchy of rebounders, as I have exxperienced them, from lowest to highest:

• cheap sport store or Wal-Mart units – simply avoid these
• Urban Rebounder – pretty good, but doesn't have Permatron® mat
• Needak rebounders – these are one of the two most prevalent rebounders made by a U.S. company, and they have Permatron® mats and heavy-duty springs; they are good quality, but won't hold up to someone who weighs 190 pounds or more using them in an intense fashion
  
• ReboundAIr (Al Carter) rebounders – these are just a small notch above the Needak rebounders; they held up a little better to my heavy use; note that I sell the ReboundAir half–fold unit through Enlightenment.Com, and this is what I often recommend to people
  
• Dave Hall's Cellercisers – these appear to be very well made, and are likely to hold up better than the Needaks or the Al Carter ReboundAir units
• Bellicon's standard 36-spring rebounders: this is made by the German/Swiss company Bellicon, and are better made and more durable than any American-made unit I have ever tried, but they cost a little more (all of the other rebounders listed above also use 36 springs)
• Bellicon's 48 spring unit: for people who are heavier than about 190-200 pounds and who rebound intensely
• Bellicon's Ultimate rebounder or string-bounder – these are top of the line and really wonderful! As mentioned previously, “string-bounding” is a whole different experience than “spring-bounding”

Re: Specific Rebounder Brand Recommendations

Hi, This is my first visit to this website.  I'm 70 yrs. old and have been rebounding for 3 yrs.  I wrote the “Everything Rebounding” blog to answer people's questions about rebounding and later wrote the “Rebounder Buyer's Guide”.  I name names in my blog and buyer's guide.  You'll read many FAQs about rebounding and read the actual warrantees on each of the top brands.

I have owned or tried the following brands and feel I am qualified to comment on each.  ReboundAIR, Needak, Life Tec and the Urban Rebounder “home” or “infomercial” model.

I don't believe a folding model “weakens” the frame.  However, neither do I believe a folding model is needed unless you travel a lot and want to take your unit with you.  In the first place,  it's just not that easy to fold and many people never fold it once they have it.  I sell Needak rebounders in my Ebay store and actually had to turn down a buyer because #1 she was elderly and #2 she wanted to buy a folding model and a stabilizer bar and, since she was short on space, wanted to fold it up every day after use.

I told her the truth that it isn't that easy to fold and takes a good deal of strength.  Plus, who wants to break down a stabilizer bar every single day?  I tell you this to make the point that, even tho' I sell the Needak rebounder, I am honest with people when discussing rebounding and the different brands.

I emailed J.B. Berns some time ago about the fact that his UR home model is called  “gym quality” while referring to the non fold model as “the Gym model”.  To me this is not only confusing but borders on false advertising.  However, to their credit, Urban Rebounder does actually list the differences between the models on their website.  People can see it for themselves, but how many people seeing the infomercial will do this?  Many just see the infomercial, like the price and buy this “home model”.  The link to the differences between the two models is:

http://www.urbanreboundinggym.com

J.B.'s answer to my question was that the home model IS “gym quality.”  IMHO it isn't.  Otherwise they'd be IN the gyms, but only their “GYM model” is in the gyms as far as I know.  If anyone knows differently, I'd be glad to correct my blog and buyer's guide.

My daughter has the home model and compared to the ReboundAIR and Needak, it is much lighter and therefore moves quite a bit if you're heavy or rebound vigorously.  I don't recommend it. 

As for the frame on a folding model being weak, it's interesting to note that Cellerciser sells only folding models.  They do not have a non fold model.  I emailed Dave Hall and asked him why he doesn't create a non fold as a less expensive alternative for people who want a Cellerciser, but have limited funds.  I never received an answer, but the point is, why would a top manufacturer make ONLY folding models if it weakens them?  Since I've never actually tried the Cellerciser, I can only go by price and assume that it is a quality rebounder, but when someone says they are concerned about people buying dangerous low quality models, but does not sell at a price the average consumer can afford, it raises questions.  But that's me.  A natural born skeptic.

I began selling Needaks in my Ebay store a year ago.  I would have like to sell all the top brands, but that takes a huge investment which I don't have.  I did finally become a ReboundAIR dealer a few months ago, but had to drop them after one month of terrible customer service, lack of communication and actual screw ups on my orders.  I could not believe it. 

I read Al Carter's books and held him in such high regard that the bad experience I had as a dealer was incomprehensive to me.  In one month they charged me the wrong price and s/h more than once, did not answer my emails regarding errors, did not send confirmations for any of my orders (until I complained) did not send invoices in a timely matter (and then didn't send all of them) and last but not least, sent one customer the wrong item and another an empty box.  All this in the space of one month.  My checking account was out of balance and after a lot of grief and tearing out of my hair, I finally traced the problem back to my ReboundAIR orders.  I'd still be trying to figure out my balance had I not insisted they send confirmation of my orders when I sent in the order and not monthly, which they told me was their procedure.  Who buys something and then agrees to wait for a month for a receipt?  Not I.  I emailed them 3 times about an error and am still waiting for an answer.  The funny part is, if there CAN be a funny part to this, is a month after I was no longer a dealer, they sent me an email that was address to all of there dealers as if I was still one of them.  Another example of their incompetence.  Not only that, they did not send “blind copies”, which means they sent the email addresses of every one of their dealers in the CC box instead of the BC box so now every dealer now has the email address of every other dealer.  Were I an unscupulous person, I could use this info for evil purposes.

My “Everything Rebounding” blog which answers all of your rebounding questions is at

http://everythingrebounding2.blogspot.com

and my rebounder “Buyer's Guide” at:  http://rebounderbuyersguide.blogspot.com

By the way.  It has been pointed out to me that the “Lifetime Warrany” advertised by so many dealers of ReboundAIR does not cover “wear and tear”.  In other words, if your mat or springs wear out, they will be replaced free ONLY ONCE.  I had to go to their website to read the warranty myself to see if what I was told was true, and sure enough it's stated right there on their website, but many people buy the ReboundAIR specifically because of this “Lifetime” warranty only to be disappointed when they can't get a second replacement for their mat or spring set.  Apparently, even dealers are not aware of this  “Lifetime” warranty caveat.  Either that or they choose to falsely advertise the warranty.

ReboundAIR has  a forum and I asked about this discrepancy, but guess what?  My post was never approved for publication.  As I said, I have a high regard for Al Carter, but no longer  his company.

Nancy