In 2000 there were over 600,000 trampolines purchased with little or no real safety instruction. In spite of the negative reports about injuries, sale continue to climb. The driving force behind the growing popularity is that trampolines are FUN. More importantly, there are a number of benefits provided by trampoline of which most people, including those in the industry, are unaware. Once you know these benefits you'll understand why every family should own a backyard trampoline.

The non-somersaulting benefits of trampoline are one of the best-kept secrets in the world. Trampoline is not only fun but will enhance coordination, strength, flexibility, timing and balance. Rebounding will exercise and strengthen every muscle, organ, and cell in your body.

As a result of extensive research using small exercise trampolines, fitness expert Albert Carter and many others have concluded that rebound exercise is one of the most efficient and effective forms of exercise ever devised. We will briefly touch on some of the basic principles of rebounding.

A fundamental law of health and fitness is that in order to build strength, there must be opposition. When one lifts weights, does sit ups, push-ups or pull-ups they are working against the gravitational pull of the earth. Gravity is the basic common denominator of most forms of exercise. To build strength one needs to increase the opposition. To do this while lifting weights one adds weight or increases the repetitions.

There are two forces that have the same effect upon the physical body as gravity: acceleration and deceleration. When taking off in a jet you feel the force of acceleration push you back in your seat. When the jet lands and reverses the thrustors you feel the force of deceleration pull you forward. The gravitational pull of the earth, acceleration and deceleration are measured in terms of "G" force.

Trampoline or rebound exercise takes the forces of acceleration and deceleration and puts them in a vertical line. This arrangement will increase the effect of gravity on every cell in the body. When jumping on a trampoline one experiences deceleration as he contacts the mat and compresses into it. Depending on how high one is jumping the G force at this point will be 2 to 5 times the person’s weight. A 100-pound youngster will weigh between 200 and 300 pounds at the bottom of the bounce.

This positively stresses every cell in the body causing it to strengthen without the jarring damage that exercising on a hard surface can cause.

At the point where the trampoline rebounds, the body is subject to the force of acceleration as it is propelled upward. Much of the acceleration will be determined by the construction of the trampoline. A competitive trampoline provides a tremendous amount of power launching the performer 15 to 20 feet in the air. This is great for a trained athlete who knows how to direct the energy but certainly is not desirable for backyard recreation. A good backyard trampoline will give you all the benefits of acceleration at a level where anyone can learn how to handle the energy.

The increase in G force caused by deceleration and acceleration affects every cell in the body. Rebound exercise will apply positive tension every cell, which in turn strengthens every organ, muscle and bone. It is a wonderful cardiovascular exercise, which will strengthen the heart and lungs. The compression of tissue at the bottom of the bounce effectively stimulates the lymphatic system, which has the function of carrying away toxins and waste away from every cell in the body. This strengthens one's immune system and raises the overall level of health.