bellicon rebounder... do i need to go to the gym anymore?

[Aleesha Sattva]

I just got a bellicon rebounder... the porsche of rebounders. What a treat it is!!! I am loving this experience. I love that I can rebound for 10 minutes here and there in my day and stay fit, get a great cardio work out and be gentle on my joints all at the same time!

Of course my main motivation is the lymphatic system and how the rebounder detoxes it. I pretty much never have break outs anymore and I have a tiny little pimple under my nose this morning. I've been using my rebounder a lot since it came two days ago.

What I'm wondering is... can I simply grab myself a couple weights and discontinue going to the gym now that I have this? I know you are supposed to 'change up your workout' every 6 weeks... but honestly, it seems my workout would continue to be different every time I get on this thing! So wouldn't that be a mute subject???

I'd love to save on the costs of my gym membership and just stay at home and workout. It works so much better for my lifestyle and fits in nicely when the magazine is on a deadline and I'm working long continuous hours. Taking a short 10 minute rebounding break will be easy to do. Going to the gym for an hour is not.

So... what do you all think?

Here's a link to some videos on QiBounding:

http://www.qibounding.com/1243647.htm

And here's a link to my new rebounder:

http://www.qibounding.com/1460885.htm

Of course I also have my Nia DVDs... and I go to yoga twice a week as well.

http://www.timelessspirit.com/JAN08/review1.shtml

[Veganforlife]

Well....that's a question only YOU can answer. I don't go to a gym. Can't afford it number one and number two, I like the comfort of my own home and can workout when I want, can stop when I want, etc.
So...I'm thinking it's your call. I'd say yeah, as long as you change it up...
Cool beans girl!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

that's what i mean... 'change it up'... you mean do something different every six weeks on the rebounder or just change it up daily?

after releasing these 130 pounds... i want to keep fit and healthy. obviously eating raw is HUGE part of that... but i want more. KWIM?

[Veganforlife]

I KWYM!!!!
I think every six weeks would be okay! Again, it's kinda up to you. Listen to your NEW body! I'm so proud of you! Way to go girl! You must feel like a million bucks!!! WHOA!!!!
Plus that IS the Porche of rebounders. Not gonna let mine see it. Mine's like a '74 VW of rebounders! LOL!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh i feel like more than that!!! i never dreamed that i'd ever be able to get rid of all that... *whispers* fat... i thought i was stuck in that body... which was expanding daily... forever.

F O R E V E R

then i found raw and VOILA i have a new body! a new life. i have energy... how cool is that? i never would have wanted to work out before... as it seemed a waste of time since i never released any weight when i did it before. but now... wow i love seeing my muscles forming!!!

anyway, i'm rambling... i just want to make sure letting go of my gym membership isn't a dumb thing to do. i don't want my body to plateau with the rebounder and for it to stop working for me. (as i've heard if you don't give your body something different every six weeks, it just gets used to the workout and it no longer really works for ya).

if i need to go to the gym for 6 weeks and then stay home on the rebounder for six weeks i will... cause i want to be fit and healthy... but i don't want to have to.

[Revvell]

I change up daily and I haven't been to a gym in quite some time. I use the rebounder, Turbo Jam, kettlebells, Indian clubs, fitness balls, hula hoop, medicine balls, sand bags, power rope, my own body weight, etc. Vids coming soon. Always fun to find people to throw medicine balls to or to play badminton with.

Revvell

[Veganforlife]

I hear ya my sistah! I never thought I would ever be rid of migraines or have a working thyroid. And then my Angel - Alissa came to me. Well, not personally, but through a round-about way.

Oh, you'll never go back to where you were. Me neither. This is my life-long commitment. I feel TOO good to want to jeopardize all that I've done.

You are in tune with your body now. It took me about a year and a half before I was well enough TO workout. So, like I said, I am so proud of you. You are a true testimony of health there girlie girl!!!!

You RAWk!!!!!

[Veganforlife]

I change up daily and I haven't been to a gym in quite some time. I use the rebounder, Turbo Jam, kettlebells, Indian clubs, fitness balls, hula hoop, medicine balls, sand bags, power rope, my own body weight, etc. Vids coming soon. Always fun to find people to throw medicine balls to or to play badminton with.

Revvell

or scrub in the showers with???

::laughs and runs out of the room::

[Aleesha Sattva]

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/thfunny-2.gif

revell, i guess that's what i have to aspire to. at this point though... it's pretty simple... just the rebounder and yoga mostly. is that enough or do i have to do more than that?

i know i know... a lot of questions.

lucy, thanks so much. we all inspire each other, keeping the light bright for others to flow towards... i love this raw juicey life!!!

[Revvell]

Yoga and rebounder are excellent, just, imo, limiting and not so much fun as having variety. Since you're just starting out, kudos to you for what you ARE doing!!!!

One always has to do what is fun for them and sounds as though what you are doing is fun for you! Enjoy!



http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x87/recyclinggoddess/thfunny-2.gif

revell, i guess that's what i have to aspire to. at this point though... it's pretty simple... just the rebounder and yoga mostly. is that enough or do i have to do more than that?

i know i know... a lot of questions.

lucy, thanks so much. we all inspire each other, keeping the light bright for others to flow towards... i love this raw juicey life!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

well i've been working out regularly for 6 months now... but yup, that IS just starting out as i have a lifetime of this ahead of me :D

hmmm... i'll ponder this... don't want to be limiting but do want lots of fun.

[Aleesha Sattva]

picked up two 10lb weights today. this way i can get back to my weight lifting so i can continue to tone my muscles :) oh ya baby... i'm working it... w o r k i n g -- IT!

[Revvell]

My favorite workout: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6uIm8qHu56w.

[RawSinger]

Wow, keep up the great work Aleesha!! Whatever you decide to do, I'd continue weight-lifting in addition to it; whether that's at the gym or at home.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i would love to get some kettleballs rev... LOVE to.

thanks francesca!

[Revvell]

i would love to get some kettleballs rev... LOVE to.

thanks francesca!

I just picked up two more and some iron and wooden Indian Clubs: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SOTzLq8IYyU Those are two pounders he's using and the women are using 1's.

[Aleesha Sattva]

cool... i think i'll try to get a kettleball first. i've had my eye on them for months now. :P

[Morn]

Wow looks like a cool rebounder. I wonder how different the bounce is with the bungees vs. the springs in a needak. Did you have a different rebounder first and upgrade?

[Aleesha Sattva]

yes. i had a 'sears special' LOL and this one is bliss i tell ya. it's sooooooooo smooth. i love to sit on it cross-legged and bounce. amazing ab workout!

and completely 100% silent!

[Morn]

yes. i had a 'sears special' LOL and this one is bliss i tell ya. it's sooooooooo smooth. i love to sit on it cross-legged and bounce. amazing ab workout!

and completely 100% silent!

cool I will have to try that on mine (for the abs).

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh ya... it's great!

[maui_butterfly]

Aleesha, I totally believe in gymless workouts. I used to believe I would need to go to the gym to get really fit, and felt frustrated because going to the gym doesn't fit into my lifestyle. I usually only have time to workout super early in the morning or late at night when my daughter is sleeping.

when i released this preconception about needing a gym to get fit, its like the world opened up to me. i got online and read and watched everything i could about bodyweight exercises, fitball stuff, free weights, elastic bands, discovered kettlebells, etc.

free online yoga classes and pilates workouts. tons of free bodyweight and dumbbell workouts. a $5 jump rope. a $7 ab wheel. a $22 fit ball. you can pick weights and things up on craigslist for cheap! and yes, the best part... the schedule! 15 minutes of rebounding in the morning. "8 minute abs" on your lunch break. some fitball squats before bed. if you're focused and committed you can get a better workout at home on a schedule that works for you and your family. and there is certainly no reason your workouts ever have to be the same. once you learn how to challenge yourself, you'll just naturally keep growing, stretching, learning new things. i say chuck that gym membership and GO FOR IT!

just my usual humble opinion. :p

[Aleesha Sattva]

i love your humble opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cinnamon panda]

jump rope! so fun and good workout too. you can do it at home while you look out the window. :D oh and it's cheap. i got mine at the .99 store.

[rawererin]

I'm thinking about getting a either a bellicon or a cellerciser...
how soft is your bellicon? I'm worried I'd stand on it and sink right down in the middle.
do you get a good workout?
can you still do the health bounce... "Everyone should start with the gentle "health bounce" which means your feet remain IN CONTACT with the mat while the body moves up and down."
I'd really appreciate some feedback!

[Aleesha Sattva]

hi,

i loooooove my bellicon. it holds us beautifully so we don't sink when we stand at all. also, when you order one she'll (sylvia) ask you what you weight and what your height is so the proper bungee cords are used to hold ya.

i did the health bounce (we all did) when i first started. some days i still do if i'm not feeling all that balanced (since i'm fasting).

my review has been published... here (http://www.timelessspirit.com/SEPT08/review2.shtml) it is.

[rawererin]

thanks for the reply, that really helped.

[lavendarJ]

Have fun with your rebounder---
your body will let you know when it's time to change up, when you get bored. That's what I do...when I get bored or begin to notice that something has become too easy or feels like a "routine" that's when I know I need a challenge or a switch up....

You only need to go to the gym if you want to...sounds like your'e all set to me...

Hooray for your rebounder! Time to bounce, shake it but don't break it!


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_5_131.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762MSUS)

[Ilse W.]

I have a rebounder and love it. It's probably only the Corvette of rebounders, but still miles better than the cheapies. Anyway, rebounders really do exercise every one of the trillion+ cells in your body at once. I picture them all like little water filled baloons, being bounced up and down. Since I had lymphoma, I figure it's going to keep my lymph system clean. I also walk my dog, and I guess I should start to lift some of those weights I keep stubbing my toes on, but I really think that for a lazy person such as myself a rebounder is priceless.:D

[jewell1908]

I just purchased a rebounder. Thought I could just get on it and complete my routine. Little did I know, my body said nooooooo way! I thought I had made a major purchase and mistake. I could only do the health bounce for 3 minutes on yesterday, and decided that I wasn't going to give up and I did 5 minutes this morning. Did the warm-up and stretches but boy did my ankles and calves feel tight. I hope this feeling goes away. Because I finally found something that won't do damage to my knees and something I think I can fall in love with. So, to all the expert rebounders who are/or was overweight, will I get better if I continue with the 5 minutes and move up slowly?????

[Ilse W.]

The first time I ever got on my rebounder, I managed maybe 30 seconds before severe leg pain hit. I got off and tried again a few hours later. I slowly increased the time to a minute, then two, etc. After a couple of weeks I did 15 minutes at a time. Don't forget, 15 minutes on the rebounder is like 45 minutes of any other aerobic workout. Don't give up and have fun with it.

[Aleesha Sattva]

It took us time to work up as well. Little bits... tiny steps... trust your body and listen.

It will strengthen and you will LOVE your rebounder!!! You will!

[raweater]

I prefered to buy myself gym equipment and workout from home rather than repeatedly pay for a gym membership, I have:
Olympic dumbell handles and 100 lbs of weights (~$150)
Olympic barbell and 300 lbs of weights (~$225)
Bench press (got used, $50)
Power Rack (~$800)

So I may have over $1200 of equipement bought over several years, but this is good for life with no ongoing costs and lets me do tons of exercises.

I must say I'm working out to gain weight though which is the opposite of most people (although many on raw workout to gain weight as working out is the only way to gain weight on this diet).

For cardio I mostly bike and will be getting a jumping rope for the winter as it's a cheap way to do cardio at home.

[bfllover]

go to collagevideo.com and click on rebounders,all of the urban rebounders dvds will come up and you can view a video sample.You can also get the dvds on urban rebounder site but I think they are cheaper at the collagevideo site.I also checked ebay but saw only the beginner video which comes with the rebounder.I just checked urbanrebounding.com and you can buy all 5 dvds for 99 plus 10 shipping. the fifth dvd has a yoga workout on it.I think I will but it ,myself.I am taking swim aerobics but love the rebounding too.

[rawwannabie]

So, I was thinking of purchasing a bellicon rebounder, but after looking at the info on their website I think my weight might be too high at this point. Crap! But, Aleesha you mentioned that when you called to order they asked your weight. Does that mean that they can customize it for you? I'd really like to get one!!

Leah

[Aleesha Sattva]

you are NOT too heavy for a bellicon... trust me. give sylvia a call, tell her i sent ya... she's wonderful!

[rawwannabie]

Great!!! I'll give her a call.

Thanks :)

[TanjaJo]

There's plenty to do without joining a gym. We're kind of in the sticks, so it would be a drive anyways. I enjoy hooping, running, and would love to get a speed bag some time. Also I have a collection of DVD's and videos to work out to. Also LOVE Fit TV (if you have Dish, or Direct TVor something). Once I get in better shape (I don' like doing yoga with the spare tire) I'll be doing the Namaste Yoga and Sharon Mann's workouts again. The rebounder sounds like a blast. I'm trying to talk my sister in to one. I forwarded the link to the video to her. That was nice and timely (that link). She wants to buy an expensive treadmill. I think the rebounder would be so much better for her, and my nephew who is recovering from a really bad ATV accident he had last fall.

[glamazon]

Aleesha just have to comment you are AWESOME woman. A true inspiration!! Ok, now that being said :p back to my comment.
I only have a normal type rebounder [it's a Cory Everson one] so highly doubt it's as good as the top of the liners I have seen on various raw webstores BUT it works and it was cheap'O and that's my price range.

I do bounce around on it occasionally. I have to wear this girdle type of thing to support my back from previous surgery so think that adds to my ackwardness--it could geeeez I'm trying to make myself feel better helloO. I know I'm not the most coordinated so I hold the stabilzing bar...question is, am I getting good lymph action by doing that?? Inquiring minds wanna....wander off...oopsie ok I'm back!! :D

Another bizarrO is that when I bounce around on it for more than a few minutes and then step off, I feel kinda out of sorts...do you get that or am I losing my mind AGAIN?! Thanks for the links...I will def chk them out.

Keep up the RAWsome journey...you are a RAWk STAR!! Shine baby shine!

[Aleesha Sattva]

on a low quality rebounder you can do more damage than good... so don't let your feet leave the mat when you are lightly bouncing on yours so you don't hurt your back. and yes, you are still getting the lymphatic drain!

it's normal to feel 'out of sorts' when you get off. instead of stepping right off, spend one minute bouncing softer and softer and till you are almost not moving... then when you step off, you won't feel like falling over!

and thanks for the compliments... my hubby agrees with you *beaming*

[czpinky]

gosh...i want a bellicon rebounder!!! i can't wait until i have the money to buy one...so excited! i've read that it's sooooo good for you. i love getting a good, heart-pumping workout evry couple days...or evry day...whatever works. one day soon, i'll get one!

[Aleesha Sattva]

honestly... i can't recommend it highly enough i love love love mine!

[Anastazia]

Just curious, but what is the highest weight it can hold?
& what's the price on these?
& are they available in Canada, or would it have to come across the border & have major duty fees?
(Not that I can afford one right now, just have a cheapie, but I can tell it's a cheapie, & would love to get a REAL one some day!)
Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
~Anastazia~

[Aleesha Sattva]

Bellicon produces two different spring based rebounders, the "Dynamic" for a weight of up to 200 pounds and the "Athletic" for a weight of up to 350 pounds. True, they are among the most expensive spring based rebounders. However, they also deliver highest quality for many years: You will never need to exchange the springs (with proper use, they will never break) and - a relief for the nervous system: They are completely silent. Also after months of usage.

http://www.qibounding.com/rebounders_shipping-procedure.html

I don't work for the company so you really need to contact them and ask them :) Sylvia is wonderful - you'll enjoy speaking with her.

[Vana]

and completely 100% silent!

Oooo this is interesting, I'm about to move to a 2nd floor apartment so thought I wouldn't be able to get a rebounder.
Do you think it is silent enough to be used in an apartment ?

[Aleesha Sattva]

my son can hear me bouncing in the basement... so it would depend on the floors. most apartments are cement so it shouldn't make a difference.

[TreeStar]

Congrats on your Bellicon, Aleesha! I'm glad you're enjoying it :D

I'm on a quest for a rebounder and Bellicon is my first choice, but it's way out of my price range. I wonder, has anyone been able to compare brands? I think my second choice would be Cellerciser...but maybe I should just impatiently save up for a Bellicon :confused:

[Aleesha Sattva]

go to this site (http://www.qibounding.com/rebounding_home.html)... she compares them.

[Vana]

I just bought the Bellicon with the Bungees - and I have to say it is actually nearly silent..... well none of my downstairs neighbours have complained yet lol.

It is so so much fun - thanks for the recommendation Aleesha.

[Aleesha Sattva]

you are sooooo very welcome! i love mine as well.

[terry brown]

I purchased a Bellicon and it came today!!!
I love it!!!!!
I am eager to bounce all the time now. A real upgrade from the Urban rebounder.
It is my christmas gift to myself and my husband.
If any one is thinking about getting one, I say go for it!

[Emma Jane]

That's so awesome that you've all had such good experiences with the rebounders! Go you!

I bought a cheap (£20!) rebounder a few weeks ago and I've had nothing but problems from it! :( Sore ankles and really intense back pain. After 3 weeks of rebounding every day and seeing no improvements I had to give up... Since then, of course, I've done some more research and seen all the articles claiming that a cheap rebounder can do more harm than good, causes all sorts of joint problems, etc., etc. I'm SO tempted to invest in a Bellicon - fitting in a quick rebounding session is a whole lot easier than trying to incorporate daily gym visits into my schedule, and I'd LOVE to reap some of the same benefits you guys have described from yours, but I'm worried about spending a lot of money only to find the same sorts of issues... The rebounder I had got rave reviews from everyone on the site, but I suppose it's all clever marketing... but then the same could be said of the more expensive brands, no? Does anyone have any experience of having used a cheap/poor quality rebounder and switching to one of the high-end models?

Also, I'm totally confused about which type of Bellicon to go for! I went to QiBounding to try to compare them and ended up confusing myself even more! :confused:

Hehe this post ended up a lot longer than I thought it would - sorry that I've just hijacked this thread! Any advice would be v.much appreciated :)

XxX

[Aleesha Sattva]

Sylvia is super helpful... just email her and ask her what you should buy. There's also a little quiz you can take to find out what's best.

We still use ours... and we love it!!! I highly recommend a belicon!

[Emma Jane]

Well, I went ahead and ordered one! Should be with me tomorrow or Wednesday, I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for the recommendation ;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

trust me... you are going to LOVE it!!!

[Emma Jane]

My new Bellicon just arrived, and it is love at first sight! (first bounce?) I admit I was a little skeptical about its promise of being "completely silent", but that's exactly what it is! I was also a little worried that the softness of the bounce would make me feel unstable - nope! It's perfect! I can't describe how different the experience is between bouncing on this thing and using my old, cheap, squeaky, hard-as-a-rock rebounder! Hehe obviously it's early days, but so far I'm impressed!

[carlitos1980]

Rebounding is awesome and yoga is awesome as everything has its place. They have actually done research and found that its more important to remain active during the day rather than hitting the gym for one hour and being stale the rest of the day. The gym is not necessary. There are even home programs like p90x which mostly uses your own bodyweight, some dumbbells, some bands, and a pull up bar. Gym is good if you really don't have any room for equipment and many people like me find the gym more motivational. I would say get a pull up bar, some dumbbells,a kettle bell, maybe some bands for added resistance. Variety is key to keep it fresh and confuse the muscles! When I didn't have access to a gym, I bought a pull up bar, used a rebounder, used a few gallons of water jugs, and bought 50lb cat liter bag and did a full body workout!!! Then when I was back in the gym it was like I never stopped going.

[carlitos1980]

OMG they are $700+!!! These really are like Porsche monthly payments! I'm sure it's great but is there a comparable one to recommend? My yearly gym membership is 260 a year!

[Aleesha Sattva]

Yes they are that much... but you buy one and all you do is possibly replace the bands (depending on use) every few years or so.

Emma... now you know how I feel about mine! Trust me, the love only deepens... you'll enjoy it more and more. I like to sit cross-legged on mine and use my abs to bounce!!! Now that's a work out!

[Emma Jane]

Ooh, I'll give that a go, Aleesha :)

Carlitos, I've heard the Cellerciser being cited as comparable to the Bellicon in terms of quality and a little lower in price... Also, have you checked out eBay or craigslist or anything to see if there might be one going cheap?

XxX

[Vegansara]

I got a rebounder and didn't even know it! Lol! I've seen this thread and never took a moment to look up what you all were talking about. Then, a few weeks ago, it dawned on me how fun exercising on a mini trampoline would be. My husband made me a deal, I could get a mini tramp if I got rid of my treadmill - which he has been trying to have me get rid of for years. So far, I love it! I think I started out too much - first time on I did a half hour, and my knees were sore the next day. But combined with my yoga, I feel like this is going to be really great :)

[Emma Jane]

That's awesome, Vegansara! I used to have my own treadmill at home too, but I sold it a few years ago. It was noisy, took up too much space and didn't even give me a very good workout :( Using a rebounder, I don't even feel like I'm working out, it just feels like playing! Reminds me of my childhood, playing on friends' garden trampolines for hours! :D Hope you enjoy yours ;)

[johnnieangel2]

I love rebounding and have been using an inexpensive rebounder I picked up at the sporting goods store. But recently my lower back has started to hurt a little bit after using it. I was wondering if any of you have had experience going from one of the cheep models to something like the Needak rebounder? Also there are so many models, is one better than another?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
J