Question:
Hello,
I've seen a couple of trampolines (14ft) and am really tempted by the prices, but are there any makes to avoid? Any one know which to avoid? I dont want to buy one and kill myself cos it falls to bits or something!
The ones I've got my eye on are an ultrafit one:
and
an 'airloop' one from here:
I'm after an enclosure too.
Any advice/experience much appreciated
Answers:
I am not aware of any trampolining injuries resulting from a trampoline collapsing. Certainly they are not statistically significant. Injuries occur because people fall off the trampoline or fall awkwardly on the trampoline. I'm not particularly happy about the boom in garden trampolines. I don't think it's safe for people to use trampolines without any sort of training or qualified supervision. I think it's foolish to let people use a trampoline, which by it's very nature invites sommersaulting, and then tell them they must, under no circumstance attempt to sommersault. If you're going to use a garden trampoline please at least read the garden trampolines statement and think about the suggestions in there first. You can find the statement under downloads; trampolining technical commitee; british gymnastics garden trampolines statement.
Answers:
Thanks Kittiwoz,
I agree that trampolining can be dangerous in itself, and I have had proffesional training albeit a fair few years ago now (eh-hem 15 in fact - wow I'm old!)
I just wanted to check that there arent any dodgy models to steer clear of - cheap makes that are unsafe but 'jumping' on the bandwagon to make a quick buck.
I would have given anything to have my own trampoline as a kid...I lived for my twice weekly PE sessions trampolining and when I think of the safety precautions with spotters and the like it does worry me a bit - I had a couple of sprains back then whilst attempting backward somersaults, but I intend to use it for more sedatory jumps these days with the odd swivel hips and back drop perhaps. I remember it was amazing for keeping flexible and toned.
Anyway I'll keep looking.....
P.S just read the download - very interesting reading - every parent intending to buy a trampoline for their kids to use should read that - interesting about the liability for others using it too.
Answers:
Garden trampolines don't bear much resemblence to proper sports trampolines so I have no idea of how you would know whether one make was better than another. Eurotramp (who make the best 6 by 4mil webbed competition standard beds) make one called the hobby-tramp but I dare say it's many times more expensive than ones sold by toy companies and probably not even available outside Germany. The only thing I can think of is to compare the spec of any trampoline you're thinking of buying with the equivalant Ceetex one and see how it compares. manufacture sports equipment, though largely for schools rather than dedicated clubs, so their outdoor trampolines are probably about as good as they go except for the Eurotramp one.
Might be worth looking into whether there are any adult classes local to you you could join. Then you could get your sommies back, maybe learn some new moves. Personally I think I'd get a bit bored without coaching, never being able to learn anything new. I'm a naturaly cautious person so I appreciate the opportubity to push myself a little in a safe environment.
Answers:
Garden trampolines don't bear much resemblence to proper sports trampolines so I have no idea of how you would know whether one make was better than another. Eurotramp (who make the best 6 by 4mil webbed competition standard beds) make one called the hobby-tramp but I dare say it's many times more expensive than ones sold by to
Might be worth looking into whether there are any adult classes local to you you could join. Then you could get your sommies back, maybe learn some new moves. Personally I think I'd get a bit bored without coaching, never being able to learn anything new. I'm a naturaly cautious person so I appreciate the opportubity to push myself a little in a safe environment.
what a good idea! I'll have a look on the net now to see if there are any local adult classes - Thanks for all your advice, sounds like you know your stuff! Sharing your advice is what this board's all about cheers
Answers:
All very valid points above.
2 things to note in your quest.
1 Garden trampolines do not have anything like the bounce of a proper fullsize leisure centre one. They are MUCH harder and it is difficult to do any complex moves eg sommies SAFELY. I personaly find it hard to do swivel hips although my son has no problems at all - must be an age thing!!
2 A circular trampoline has a very different bounce to a rectangular one. They tend to bring you into the middle of the trampoline presumably because of the way the springing is set up. More than likely this is the cause of the bumped head syndrome which people tend to associate with trampolines!
The rectangular one has a bounce much more in line with the leisure centres and you can usually do more - however they are more expensive and definately are a one person at a time piece of kit. Ours (rectangular) was bought off ebay and has over wintered under a cover for two years and is still in very good condition.
if you have had trampolining expereince before I think you might be disappointed with the circular type. Do you know anyone you can have a try out on? A bit of practical market research might pay you dividends
Good luck - its great all round exercise!
Answers:
1 Garden trampolines do not have anything like the bounce of a proper fullsize leisure centre one. They are MUCH harder and it is difficult to do any complex moves eg sommies SAFELY.
This is very true. This is really part of my worry about garden trampolines apart from their being used without coaching. I think trampolines by their nature invite people to somersault but garden trampolines don't really give enough bounce to complete a safe somersault so people "whip" the somersault from their shoulders. It reminds me of some advice my uncle gave me about riding a bike in town. He said that when I pass a car or other obstacle that narrows the road and I don't think that there is enough room for a car to pass me I should pass so wide that no car could possibly think there was enough room. Ambiguity is dangerous. This is why I think bouncy castles are more appropriate as toys. Are garden trampolines toys or are they sports equipment? I think the problem is they're not really either.
Abijanzo, I think there are clubs and classes in most areas now. Try local lesiure centres. If you find a club or class in your area that isn't appropriate to you, eg. high performance or students only uni club, then you could still contact them to ask if they know of anywhere more appropriate. They would probably know what clubs were operating locally. There's a list of BG registered clubs on the British Gymnastics website but club's don't have to be registered unless they are competitive. It doesn't matter if a club isn't registered so long as the coaches are. I am in the University of Manchester Trampolining Club so if you're in the area PM me.