Bouncing on a mini-trampoline may not be your idea of a strenuous aerobic exercise and may not strike you as having significant health benefits, but both are true. Rebounding, as this form of safe, low-impact exercise is commonly called, burns more calories than jobbing. Trampoline bouncing can also reduce stress levels while strengthening your heart and improving circulation, which is vital to maintaining optimal mental function. Plus, during rebounding, the lymphatic ducts expand and lymph flow can increase as much as 14 times normal, which helps detoxify your body.

Rebounding offers an exercise that can be adjusted to your fitness level, is easy on your joints and back, and can be done in your home at your convenience. Regular exercise helps prevent clogging of the arteries and diminished blood supply to the brain. Exercises like rebounding that work the leg muscles help keep the blood circulating. The contractions of these muscles during exercise act like pumps to circulate the blood back up to the heart for fresh oxygen.

Rebounding stimulates the brain and visual cortex during exercise to maintain balance and coordination. Jumping on the rebounder with your eyes focused on a fixed point helps improve visual coordination; while hopping on one foot and then the other helps maintain one's sense of balance. "When you are rebounding, you are moving and exercising every brain cell just as you are exercising each of the other body cells," according to Alfhild Akselsen, Ph.D., of Austin, Texas, who uses rebounding to treat individuals with neurological disorders. "Toxic heavy metals are leached out of these brain cells to free up the neurons to work more effectively."

The rebounding device is a mini-trampoline with a flexible jumping surface measuring 28-36 inches in diameter and set 6-9 inches off the ground. The jumping mat is attached to the frame with coil springs, providing a good rebound while remaining firm on the downward bounce. Unlike a regular trampoline, the rebounding device isn't mean for bouncing high or performing gymnastic tricks.