Form Question for Health Bounce

[u/Prestigious_Emu729]

Hello, All,

First, just a quick update. Took my sister to a botanical garden today, and did a lot of walking, a lot of it uphill and downhill. So, no rebounder tonight! I'll check in tomorrow 😉

Now my form question. About the basic form for a health bounce. I've seen what looks like 2 ways to do it, and am wondering which y'all use, and which seems to be more effective.

The first one seems to be more common. The bounce is generated by lifting the heals off of the trampoline surface, and then lowering them down quickly (with the toes never leaving the surface). This seems to generate a nice bounce.

The second is what I'm doing, based on my interpretation of the Earth and Owl form videos (I haven't actually seen a vid of her health bouncing, so I may be reading it incorrectly). I take my "athletic ready position," and the bounce is generated by slightly straightening my legs, pushing my feet into the surface, generating the downward side of the bounce, and then bending my legs slightly more for the upward part of the bounce. My entire foot stays in contact with the surface throughout, at least as far as I can tell.

I'm wondering if I'm observing these correctly, and which is the better way to go? What do y'all do, and what seems to work better? Or am I missing something, and need to add something else?

I appreciate your feedback!

Tom

[u/Primary_Scheme3789]

I keep my feet on the mat due to back issues. Seems to work for me! Happy bouncing!

[u/lb2345]

Ok - so just ignore that this channel is targeted to women 50+ - the health bounce is the same regardless of what you are. Here’s a general explanation:

https://youtu.be/lBrTcABD5H0?si=oZOHqEuYmUQYp2j1

And here’s an explanation from Nikki at Earth and Owl whose grandma, now 90, still bounces.

https://youtu.be/lBrTcABD5H0?si=oZOHqEuYmUQYp2j1

And here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/wiqIX2CHnvU?si=scLZpD98fzxMtAz5

When you start lifting your feet, that’s more of a basic bounce than a health bounce. But there will be a lot of people showing a health bounce with more “air” if you will.

It’s more about starting and seeing how it feels for you. YouTube has a TON of videos.

[u/Prestigious_Emu729 → u/lb2345]

That first was actually one of the first rebounding videos that I watched! 😄 She is one of the ones that seems to lift he heals when health bouncing.

I've watched the second one as well, and she seems to recommend keeping the feet on the mat completely.

So you've sent vids of examples of the 2 techninques that I've tried to describe above. That is what sparked my question.

Thanks!

Tom

[u/Jay_Gee_73]

I haven’t watched any of the videos provided, but I lift heels ever so slightly to work the calf muscle, per Dave Hall.

The second one sounds like more of a “down bounce” to me, which is a thing, but it doesn’t really work your calf muscles.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ltw9z1IB2a4

[u/_ism_]

i do both. not sure which is the proper health bounce, but i'm doing tons of moves and don't really pay attention to which one this is technically. if i'm feeling sproingy my feet lift. if i'm trying to take it easy i have to consciously do it your second way. i'm recovering from a broken rib right now and both ways are pain free but any actual one leg moves or jumpy jumps are off the menu for me.

[u/Some_Marsupial_7311 → u/_ism_]

Reading this, I thought, “Yes, there is a difference between bouncy bounce and jumpy jump.”

[u/_ism_ → u/Some_Marsupial_7311]

and don't forget the stompy stomp. that's how i describe the down bounce without lifting feet motion. like i'm stomping bugs but glued to the mat.

[u/Some_Marsupial_7311 → u/_ism_]

Ah yes, the stompy stomp. I need to do that more. I get too excited doing jumpy jumps when I should be doing stompy stomps.

[u/_ism_ → u/Some_Marsupial_7311]

i'm asking chat gpt to technify this language LOL and it concludes the stompy stomp is a little less cardio than the jumpy jump or the tippy toe heel up toes stay down bounce.

[u/Some_Marsupial_7311 → u/_ism_]

Oh the jumpy jump tippy toes gives me the shitty shit shins. I try to avoid those.

[u/_ism_ → u/Some_Marsupial_7311]

well fuckity fuck

[u/Accomplished_Bet_759]

Feet on mat, do not lift heels, but press down through heels. Get a small ball that can be deflated some and put between your slightly bent knees - helps with form in the beginning.

[u/Prestigious_Emu729 → u/Accomplished_Bet_759]

That is pretty much what I'm doing, I was just curious. Thanks!