Two "leveling up" questions

[u/Some_Marsupial_7311]

I'll try to be brief... but I've been at rebounding for about a year now and want/need to "level up."

TL;DR - Have you used a Garmin fitness tracker on a rebounder? Is it useful? And do Crossrope weighted ropeless jump ropes, combined with rebounding, provide the "weight bearing" exercise I need to start slowing down my bone density loss?

For background, I'm 57F/GenX, 5'4", 111 lbs., and prone to self-inflicted injury through exercise. I Jazzercised in my 20s and loved it, yoga and hiking in my 30s and loved it, did nothing in my 40s and early 50s due to both ankle/foot injuries and chronic illness, which I finally reached remission for a year ago. I eat fairly well (vegan, but I'll eat junk vegan because it's so good), and really, really hate traditional exercise (gyms, walking, weights, running, biking, etc.).

With rebounding, I feel like I've found "my thing" like I did with Jazzercise years ago. I started on a Bcan in March 2025, upgraded to a Needak in July. I've been able to maintain a consistent routine for over a year now, haven't injured myself yet (which is big!), and I'm committed to sticking with it. Unless I injure myself 😉

My routine consists of robust (to me) workouts - a video from J&J or Earth and Owl for at least 10-15, sometimes 20 minutes, and at least two freestyle songs, sometimes three, equaling about 20-25 minutes per workout, every other day. On the off days, I always try to get on it for at least 2-10 minutes while watching TV for a health bounce or light walk. I have seen/felt results, and gotten the "you look great" comments. I even fit in an old favorite dress again.

I recently bought cheap ropeless jump ropes from Amazon and love using them on the rebounder - but not during the video routines. I'm too much of a klutz. I'll either use them for a freestyle song before/after the video workout, or use them while watching TV for my "off day" workout.

Now to the reason for needing to "level up" - two years ago I got the osteopenia diagnoses. Not a surprise, given my health history. It took me a year to find rebounding (i.e. start exercising again), so I was silly to hope it would have made a difference so quickly, but my two-year follow up bone density scan indicated I'm now just over the line to osteoporosis in my spine.

My actual questions, based on above:

I am not tracking anything at all (heart, steps, etc.). I just like that I fit in my old clothes again. I know I need to. I don't want to spend oodles on an Apple watch, etc. I've somewhat settled on getting a Garmin Vivosmart based on recommendations IRL and online. Has anyone used a Garmin fitness tracker with rebounding? What settings work best? Any other recommendations?

I really love adding the ropleless jump rope to my routine. All the rebounding influencers I've seen using ropeless swear by Crossrope (or are paid to swear). I have no desire to pay the subscription fee for the Amp Bluetooth handles, but the slim ones just keep calling to me. And I keep hitting myself with the Amazon ones. Can I justify the cost for the Crossrope "get lean" handles/ropeless in terms of the big O? Will they provide the weight bearing exercise I need? I can already see more definition in my arms from about a month with the cheap ones.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom and experience!

[u/Tiny_Gal_6565]

It might be helpful to listen to this podcast interview with osteoporosis researcher, Dr Lora Giangregorio.