Springs, Bungees and Straps oh my!

With social media, affiliates, and Amazon commissions flooding the market with opinions, it’s hard to stay on top of what is an actually good product, and what the best product is for you. Sometimes springs are all the rage, then bungees, then small rebounders, then large ones, then circular ones, then hexagonal ones – where’s the truth in all this?

The 3 Most Important Considerations

Whittle it down to the three most important things to determine when you’re purchasing a rebounder.

• Longevity – is this an impulse buy because it looks good and all my friends will think I’m cool? Or do I want a workhorse that is going to actually change my life and be there day and night, ready to go, and manage bouncing my entire body over and over for years to come?
• Bounce – the rebounder mat should be relatively flat and uneven, even when you’re bouncing, provide a stern but gradual and constant resistance, and should provide for the ability to bounce both slow and fast while maintaining these characteristics.
• Logistics – do I have room for it? Can I fold it an put it away? Can I take it with me on trips? Is it too noisy for my neighbors? Does it come assembled?

Before continuing, it should be clearly outlined that any rebounder in the lower cost bracket ($100-$200 US) will undeniably fail the longevity criteria, and almost inevitably fail the bounce criteria. It is simply not possible to manufacture a rebounder with a high-gauge steel frame with a reliable, long lasting spring/bungee system for that price. They may look good, they may seem good, and people might give them rave reviews. But these are not machines that will last for years, nor will they provide a consistent and most importantly, safe bounce. Anyone who is an expert on rebounding will attest to this, so we strongly suggest avoiding them, attractive as the idea may be just to get your feet wet at a good price point.

Spring Systems

Spring systems have been around for a long time, and the first rebounders to come out were spring based. Due to this, hundreds of different models of rebounders flooded the market, most with poorly constructed or designed systems, and not just rebounding, but spring systems in general, took a hit. This is what is currently happening with bungees, as hundreds of low-cost bungee rebounders flood the market, which, like the cheaply made spring systems before them, are finding disgruntled customers who are disappointed with hurting knees or broken devices with no access to parts.

High quality spring systems, however, are some of the most robust and consistent rebounders due to the unique technology used to manufacture them, the strength of the materials, and through all of the ups and downs, maintain their foothold in the market. They generally provide a more solid, flat surface to bounce on, provide better feedback, and last significantly longer than bungee based rebounders. The main downside to these high quality spring based rebounders is that they require periodic lubrication to maintain optimal reliability and to minimize any noise that may arise from their steel construction.

Bungee Systems

Bungee systems are a more recent addition to the rebounding world, although some iterations have existed for a number of years. In recent years, the market has suddenly become flooded with a plethora of brands ranging from low cost to very expensive. Bungee rebounders provide, generally, a more “sunken” bounce, as due to their very nature, bungee cords are more likely to stretch when you bounce near them while the ones further from your feet stay taut. This creates a less flat bounce, but one that often goes deeper than a spring based bounce. Accordingly, there is less feedback on every bounce, and users will also experience a more uneven surface.

When it comes to longevity, bungee cords are less robust than spring systems, as they stretch more over time, can become rigid and worn, and in general will last about half the time of an equivalent spring system. Most bungee systems, likewise, have weaker frames as the entire rebounder is more predicated on bungees than high gauge steel, and accordingly, are unlikely to last years under strenuous use. One benefit of bungee systems, however, is that they will remain relatively quiet with little maintenance.

Straps and other types of spring systems

Outside of bungees and springs, there is currently no better elastic system. Straps are a poor version of bungees that are not recommended. Cheaper springs along with cheaper bungees are likewise not recommended. Rebounding on a rebounder is significantly more taxing than on a large rebounder you might find in your backyard, as the number of iterations of jumps is exponentially higher. The components required need to be much stronger, and the rebounder itself has to be designed with specific physical characteristics to maintain a soft but sturdy platform. Don’t go cheap – you will end up hurting yourself or your family, and be turned off this wonderful sport unnecessarily.

Round vs Hexagonal

The reason round rebounders are more common, and generally a better choice, is because the weight distribution for any one jump is evenly distributed. When you have a hexagonal rebounder, the corners will receive less tension than its sibling pressure points, and accordingly, the mat will not sink evenly, and the springs or bungees will stretch unevenly. There is no benefit to a hexagonal rebounder.

What size of mat?

As you can imagine, the larger the rebounder and mat, the less effectively one side of the rebounder will support the other side. As well, the center will always sink more and more as compared to the edges, so there are actual physical limitations in place that allow a rebounder to provide a flat, sturdy platform that maximizes an even distribution across the entire mat. This sweet spot is between 28 to 29 inches. Anything smaller, and you’re wasting space. Anything larger, and you will start finding “hotspots” on your mat – that is, points where your ankles will no longer land flat, and spots where your feet will sink more than in other spots, defeating the entire purpose of using a rebounder to begin with.

Folding or non-folding?

Depending on the manufacturer, there may be differences between the folding and non-folding versions of their rebounders. Some brands even have quarter fold models, which we recommend steering clear of. In the case of Needak, for example, the folding and non-folding models are identical in every way with regards to stability and sturdiness. However, it is good to reach out to the manufacturer and check reviews to make sure.

In most cases we recommend customers opt for the folding model where possible, as it adds for the possible convenience of storing it away or transporting it, and a rebounder, unfolded, is a large and heavy thing to lug around!

Assembly

Believe it or not, some rebounders come disassembled or charge the end user for assembly. We tend to avoid such rebounders, as assembly can sometimes be exceedingly difficult. Most high quality spring systems like the Needak come fully assembled, so it’s just a question of unfolding and hopping on. As well, if a rebounder requires assembly, it is generally not very portable, and so transportation and storage can be quite hard.

End Notes

Whatever rebounder you choose, our recommendation is a folding, high quality spring system along with a mat size that is no larger than 29 inches. This will provide you with the maximal longevity, portability and the safest, flattest surface for years of bouncing. Cheaper spring systems, bungee systems, or larger platforms may seem attractive in the short term, but will not serve you as effectively in the long term. You also have to make sure that replacement parts are readily available, as a rebounder is not unlike a car – maintenance is a guaranteed part of it, and you don’t want to throw away the whole device a year down the road.