NASA says this 10-minute workout beats 30 minutes of jogging and is easier on your joints

If your mornings are a chaotic dance between snooze buttons and coffee cups, and the idea of squeezing in a 30-minute jog feels like launching a space mission, NASA might have just delivered the perfect fitness hack from, quite literally, out of this world. In a revelation that’s making waves across fitness communities, NASA has backed a deceptively simple 10-minute exercise that could potentially make your daily jog obsolete. It's called rebounding—and yes, it involves bouncing on a mini-trampoline.

Once the poster child of 1980s fitness tapes, rebounding is now finding new fans thanks to some serious scientific validation.

From the Lab to Your Living Room
According to a report from UNILAD Tech, NASA originally turned to rebounding to help astronauts maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular health during their extended stays in zero gravity. In one notable 1980 study, the space agency compared the aerobic effects of jogging versus bouncing. The result? Rebounding was found to be 68% more effective than treadmill running at the same oxygen uptake level. Even more impressively, it could sometimes double the efficiency of jogging.

The secret lies in the dynamics of movement. While running concentrates impact on your knees and joints, rebounding spreads it across the body, creating a high-intensity, low-impact exercise that’s both effective and forgiving. And you don’t need a gym membership or a perfect weather forecast to do it.

Health Bounce and Beyond
What exactly does rebounding involve? Picture a range of energetic movements—light jumping, twists, jacks, and even dance-based routines—performed on a small, springy surface. The ‘Health Bounce,’ the most basic movement, is enough to get your heart racing and your endorphins flowing, all while taking it easy on your joints.

NASA’s research also pointed out quicker recovery times, making it ideal for busy professionals, parents, and anyone keen to avoid post-workout burnout.

3 simple Rebounding #exercises 🙌🏽 excellent for working leg muscles, increasing endurance & strengthen bones.
🌿NASA scientists discovered that jumping regularly on a mini trampoline for 10 mins requires more effort than jogging minus the negative impact on the joints#Health pic.twitter.com/7pxdvi0OvF

— Julia Bradbury I HAVEN'T BOUGHT BLUE TICK💙 (@JuliaBradbury) August 23, 2022

Trampolines and TikTok Trends
As if NASA’s endorsement wasn’t enough, rebounding has also found viral fame on TikTok and fitness platforms, often through the use of kangaroo jumping boots—bouncy footwear that mimics the trampoline effect for on-the-go cardio.

So next time you wince at the thought of lacing up your sneakers for a run, consider rummaging through the attic or investing in a compact rebounder. It takes up less space than a treadmill, offers a more efficient workout, and—let’s face it—bouncing is just more fun.

After all, if it’s good enough for astronauts hurtling through space, it might just be the game-changer your earthbound fitness routine needs.