What Is a Trampoline?

A trampoline is a device consisting of strong durable fabric, spring coils, and a sturdy metal frame. The fabric is stretched within the frame, and attached using the coils or springs. This creates a bouncing or jumping surface of the fabric. Trampolines have a base of some kind to suspend the "bouncing surface" several feet above the ground.

Trampolines are used for recreational, acrobatic, gymnastic, and exercise purposes. They come in a variety of sizes, and costs vary based on the quality of materials used and the type of trampoline you're buying. The fabric of trampolines isn't actually stretchy on its own. In fact, standard heavy canvas, or woven materials usually make up the fabric portion of the trampoline, and the spring coils which attach that fabric to the frame is what creates the rebound effects. Since the coils stretch and retract naturally, a person can use a trampoline to jump very high.

There are two primary types of trampolines: Recreational and competitive. Some would argue a third type has recently started making it's debut though: The fitness trampoline. These tend to be a miniaturized version of the recreational type of trampoline though, and they're sometimes referred to as trampettes. Miniature trampolines, or trampettes, used for fitness are not designed to allow a very large or high jumping range. Instead they're used to help reduce strain and impact on knees and joints while exercising. These types of trampolines are also not made to be used outdoors, so the fabric isn't usually waterproofed.

Trampolines tend to come in circular shapes, but some are available in octagon and rectangle shapes as well. Recreational style trampolines tend to be made with less sturdy materials, and they have fewer spring coils too.

Competitive trampolines are made from much sturdier steel frames, stronger canvas fabrics, and feature many more strong coils. The additional coils on competitive trampolines allows for much higher jumps, stunts and acrobatics. Competition trampolines also tend to be made for portability. They can be folded up and easily moved from one place to another. Recreational trampolines usually get assembled in place, and stay there.

Even though recreational trampolines are made with less coils and rebounding capabilities, they can still be quite dangerous. In fact, most trampoline related injuries are caused by home and recreational usage.

Since trampolines create an enhanced bouncing effect, it's easy to jump quite high when playing on one. And this can lead to loss of control, particularly for young children who aren't experienced with controlling such large jump heights. Loss of control on a trampoline often results in bouncing completely off the platform. And since this is raised several feet above the ground, the fall can cause serious injuries.

Other trampoline related injuries involve bouncing onto the metal frame instead of landing back on the cloth area. Hitting the wrong area of a trampoline frame can be just as harmful at hitting the ground can be of course, so there are serious injury risks involved with playing on a trampoline.

One way to have fun with trampolines while keeping things safer, is to put a few people around the trampoline as spotters. This way if the person on the trampoline looks like they might bounce off or hit the frame, someone can be there to help catch them or break the fall.

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