Workouts
The Beginning: the 70s
Rebounding emerged as a niche exercise in the late 1960s, growing into a major fitness trend by the late 1970s, with millions of rebounders sold annually. However, the majority of these units were low-quality Asian imports, which didn’t last and often led to injuries. This influx of cheap imports eventually drove more than 130 U.S. rebounder manufacturers out of business, leading to a collapse of the rebounding industry by the early 1980s.
US Entrepreneurs: Robert and Barbara Sanders
In the mid-1980s, Robert and Barbara Sanders discovered rebounding, were impressed by its scientific foundation, and became certified reboundologists. Seeing rebounding’s potential, they worked to import high-quality rebounders from Asia, achieving impressive sales. However, soon, the Asian suppliers had started cutting corners, resulting in a rapid decline in product quality and more rebounders being returned than sold.
The Sanders were deeply committed to the belief that rebounding could help people improve their health and well-being. Determined to offer a reliable, high-quality rebounder to fulfill this vision, they founded Needak Manufacturing in January 1990. They invested in sewing and metalworking equipment to produce rebounders domestically.
Needak: The Soft-Bounce
The initial Needak rebounders used industry-standard, short and stiff springs, but in 1992, the Sanders developed an innovative "Soft-bounce" spring. This new design increased shock absorption from 20% to as much as 85% and extended the spring’s lifespan. This new spring revolutionized the rebounding industry. The Soft-bounce spring made rebounding accessible for people with joint and back issues and improved the rebounder’s benefits for lymphatic stimulation, general fitness, and muscle tone, sparking a significant rise in sales.
Needak: Wordwide Growth
Sales began to climb dramatically, and throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Needak rebounders have gained endorsements from key figures in the industry, including Linda Brooks, Harry and Sarah Sneider, JB Berns, and author Dr. Morton Walker. Needak rebounders are also promoted for their quality and health benefits in health newsletters and fitness publications, further boosting their reputation.
Needak: Onward!
Needak remains the longest continually operating rebounder manufacturer in the U.S. Its rebounders are still manufactured in Nebraska, with components sourced from longstanding U.S. suppliers to ensure reliability and consistency. The Needak rebounder is an ISO product, a certification very few rebounders can claim. Everything about our rebounder is time-tested - units made nearly 35 years ago are still in service, and we have continually improved processes for product reliability. All parts are designed to fit units dating back to the 1990s, and some Needak rebounders from that era are still in active use today.
