Poughkeepsie, NY (January 03, 2006) -
A New Paltz woman has invented a device that has all the health benefits of jumping on a trampoline but is safer and can be adjusted to benefit all ages.

"That is why I made it," said Amelia Rose, a professor of English at SUNY New Paltz. "My father had a hip replacement and a heart attack. His doctor recommended he jump on a trampoline for exercise. But he couldn't stabilize himself on it."

After calling every exercise equipment company in the U.S. for a safer alternative, Rose came up with her design.

"I drew up my first drawing on a napkin in a diner," she said.That was eight years ago and last month, Utah-based Hoggan Health Industries officially launched Rose's invention, the Hoggan Sprint Airbounder. It is designed to give a whole body workout using the principals of jumping and rebounding.

Rebounding refers to a type of jumping movement that allows a person to achieve a weightless state at the top of the jump and then land with twice the force of gravity at on every bounce. Cedric Bryant, Ph.D., chief exercise physiologist and vice president of educational services for the American Council on Exercise based in California, said there are health benefits to rebounding in general.

"The greatest benefit of rebounding as an exercise is it provides a low-impact weight-bearing alternative as far as exercises go," he said.

Ed Trainor, vice president of fitness services and product development for New York Sports Clubs, immediately liked the prototype Rose brought to him. Trainor said they have an Airbounder prototype in one of their New York City clubs and while it is early in the introduction of the product, believes it willfill a definite niche in the health club industry.

"I think that it has real possibilities for a couple of specific populations," Trainor said. "Yes, you could be a very fit athlete and also do a routine on it, but I really see it working with the overweight ... the elderly because you can get on it and do a lot of movements never worrying about tripping or falling. You can hold on the whole time."

Trainor said he thinks this machine will find a following, particularly among people who may be intimidated by other pieces of exercise equipment at health clubs. And, people who are more athletic may find the Airbounder is an additional workout.

Bryant said rebounding, when done on a trampoline, could cause a problem for people with hip, knee or ankle instability because of its unstable surface, though it does lessen the force that the lower extremities have to withstand.

Rose's goal was to make sure the Airbounder had more stability than a trampoline, while lessening the impact. It has a solid platform that maintains the person's weight equally and has handles on both sides.
Bryant said rebounding has some followers.

"There are some group classes that are based upon rebounding," he said, adding, "There are pockets of popularity in regards to rebounding."

Glenn Marinelli, director of sports medicine at Marist College, said many athletes use jumping to strengthen their leg muscles, particularly basketball, soccer and lacrosse players.

Marinelli said he could envision this type of equipment, something that offers jumping, with little or no impact, would also be inviting to an adult population.

"I would say (particularly) in older people because as we get on in life and our joints and arthritis come into play, you look for things that are more cushioned or not weight bearing as opposed to running, which we're not as successful at anymore because we have a lot of discomfort associated with it."

The path to success

Rose said networking was key to reaching her goal.

She built her first crude prototype with the help of a friend who is an engineer and local machine shop laborers. She later hired a patent attorney, and got the patent in a record six months, which cost about $10,000.

The Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Corp. and the Service Corps of Retired Executives offered free help with the business aspects of inventing.

Arnaldo Sehwerert, director of the small business development corporation in Kingston said his organization looks at an invention project the same as they would any other business project.

"An invention is like any other thing, If you want to do something with it, it's a business proposition and you have to treat it like so," Sehwerert said. "You have to think in terms of the marketing, production costs, development costs. ... It's not complicated."

The small business development corporation helps inventors through the process from trying to figure out if they have a viable product, networking with investors, as well as help developing a business plan.

Rose met Trainor, who purchases some of the health club's equipment from Hoggan Health.

He recommended she contact Hoggan Health.

Ryan Hoggan, chief development officer for the company, explained that when Rose first contacted him in the late 1990s, the company was going through a transition and was not able to move ahead. But when she brought the concept to them again in 2001, the timing was just right.

"The market is ready for this type of machine because of the benefits of rebounding and the medical field recommending rebounding," Hoggan said. "It all worked out."

Rare opportunity

Hoggan said the company doesn't use many outside developers. Rose may be the second one, he said.

"We probably get, each week, five or six ideas on my desk from people wanting to do this invention or that invention. Unless they come through our network, I just can't look at them all," Hoggan said.

Since 2001, the company worked on refining the product before announcing its release in July 2005. The company's target markets are mainly fitness centers and rehabilitation centers.

But, the Airbounder will also be available to consumers online for $2,495. Hoggan said there is a possibility that in the future the Airbounder may be available through larger retail stores.

Hoggan said some sales were done even before the official launch date and "things have gone well," but said he expects it will take a year for the product to get mainstreamed.

Rose essentially sold her product to Hoggan and will receive royalties from the sales. She has the title of adviser and will remain involved in marketing the machine.

(Rebecca Imperati can be reached at biznews@poughkeepsiejournal.com)

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