Alexandra Ramirez
1. Skywalker 15
Best Overall Trampoline
5/5 Product Rating
The large 15 ft diameter jumping area is plenty big enough for jumping and doing fun tricks.
Also included is the enclosure with netting to keep your children safe and entertained.
With a rust resistant, galvanized steel frame, this trampoline will last a long time with proper care.
All of the materials on this trampoline and enclosure are made with long lasting, durable UV protected material for even more weather resistance.
The extra wide spring pad is a comfortable 1” thick and is made to be durable and withstand the rigors that children playing on it can cause. The safety enclosure adds protection from falling off the side while jumping and attaches securely to the jumping mat.
– Jonathan Maxwell
2. Skywalker 12
Best Overall Trampoline – Runner Up
4.8/5 Product Rating
It’s a great size for any age jumper and has safety features in place so your kids can have fun while you have peace of mind.
The heavy, galvanized steel frame will provide your family with years of jumping fun. You won’t have to worry about structural twisting due to the reinforced and welded T-sockets that secure the enclosure to the frame.
6 Legs provide lots of stability and the Stay-Put jump mat is attached directly to the enclosure netting so there is a gap free jump space with no ropes that need threading.
The enclosure posts are arched in a way that suspends the enclosure betting away from the frame and they’re padded too for extra protection. Your trampoline will last a long time with the quality UV resistant materials.
– Jonathan Maxwell
3. Ultega
Best Budget Trampoline
4.6/5 Product Rating
It has 3 galvanized steel legs that help prevent it from tipping over and helps it stand securely.
A high quality safety net encloses the entire trampoline which allows the kids to jump around the whole mat. The UV resistant mat gives this trampoline extended life which is a plus for the kids who will love jumping on this.
Trampolines are great ways to get this video game generation off the couch and outside, jumping and exercising. It can also be used to improve health.
The Ultega has 8 padded poles that surround the mat, making it one of the safest trampolines on the market.
This trampoline has a maximum user weight of 400 pounds with one person jumping at a time. (The safest way and recommended way to jump on a trampoline) It’s a great deal for a toy that will last years for your kids to enjoy and maybe grand kids too!
– Jonathan Maxwell
Trampoline Buying Guide
Trampolines are Great for Fun and Exercise
Trampolines have been a favorite form of play for kids and teens, and even some adults for many years. It is an excellent way to not only keep your children occupied but it can be a good way to get them active and help them get into shape. In today’s society, children having weight problems, is sadly far too common. Having a trampoline can give them a way to “exercise” that doesn’t even feel like exercise and that makes it fun and stress free for them.
There are a lot of different styles and types of trampolines to choose from. It can get confusing understanding the differences between them but this Trampoline Buyer’s Guide can give you all of the information you need to choose the perfect trampoline for your family that will meet your needs and wants and please everyone in the family.
Shapes
There are two main shapes for trampolines: round and rectangular. Each one is better suited for different uses and below we will outline what those are. Depending on what your needs are and why you are buying a trampoline, one shape might be better for you than the other. Be sure that you know exactly what your needs are. You can do that by asking yourself the following questions:
- Is this just for play?
- Do I want my child/ren to be able to exercise on this?
- How much space do I have?
- How many children will want to use this?
- What is my budget?
These questions are very simple to answer but can make a difference in the size and shape of trampoline you choose to get.
Rectangular Trampolines
Rectangular trampolines tend to be the choice for more serious trampolinists rather than those who just want something for their kids to play on. They may be into gymnastics and need a place to practice maneuvers or something similar. A rectangular trampoline will give the jumper a more powerful rebound which will give them the sufficient amount of height needed to perform gymnastics moves.
Because of the rebound power rectangular trampolines have, only one person should be on the trampoline at a time. If gymnastics moves are being performed, they should have two spotters, one on each side, for safety reasons. Enclosures and tents are not available for rectangular trampolines. Because they are typically for more specialized use, rectangular trampolines are the more expensive of the two shapes.
Round Trampolines
Because most people who buy a trampoline will be buying one for their kids to play on, they will more than likely end up with the much more common round shape. This shape gives a much easier rebound and more than one person can jump on it at a time safely, as long as they are not out of control when they are jumping.
They are typically measured in diameter and can be quite large, accommodating up to three jumpers at once on the extremely large ones! Safety enclosures and tents are available for all sizes of round trampolines and these additions offer even more safety when it comes to those jumping on them. They are the less expensive of the two options since they are so readily available and in higher demand.
What Size is the Best?
Round trampolines come in 4 basic size options: 8, 10, 12 and 14 feet in diameter. 12 feet seems to be the most commonly bought size, but others are good depending on the size you have available. A good rule of thumb is to buy the largest diameter trampoline you can afford and have the space for. If you are getting a rectangular trampoline, they will also come in many dimensions and can even be custom designed as well.
Accessories
There are several accessories that you can get to go with your trampoline. They make having and using it even better and depending on the accessory, they can help your trampoline last longer as well.
Anchor kits – If you live in an area that can get some tough wind or storms, anchor kits are a great investment. They are also an additional safety measure to ensure stability while your kids are jumping. The base is always sturdy, but having that added security of being anchored into the ground is even more peace of mind for parents.
Ladder – Even though most kids can just hop right onto the trampoline, having a ladder makes it much easier for little kids to get up on the trampoline without having to struggle.
Tents – this accessory is perfect for kids that love make believe. Attach the tent on top of the jumping platform and you have transformed the trampoline into a wonderful and exciting play area.
Safety Enclosure – Trampolines didn’t always have safety net enclosures around them, but they are a favorite with parents and kids a like and have definitely increased the safety of using trampolines. These enclosures are made of net, which is attached to several poles, which surround the trampoline. The children enter the safety enclosure that is held together by Velcro and then can jump to their hearts’ content. It doesn’t eliminate ALL safety risks, but it greatly improves the safety of using trampolines since the kids can just fly off into mid air if they do a miss-jump.
Trampoline Cover – One of the things that can age your trampoline quickly is weather. Being in direct sunlight, heavy rain stores, etc can wreck havoc on a trampoline. For that reason, it is a great idea to get cover that can protect it from the elements. It also keeps it dry and ready to use whenever you want. It also prevents wear and tear on the jumping area and prevents the joints and springs from rusting.
Bungee Bouncer – This is the perfect training aids for any aspiring trampoline gymnasts who want to practice with a good safety harness.
Spring Free Trampolines
A somewhat new design in the trampoline world is the springfree trampoline. Falling through the springs is one of the biggest safety concerns parents have when their children are jumping on these fun pieces of equipment. The springfree trampoline has eliminated this issue. It doesn’t make the trampoline injury proof but it certainly takes care of one major issue that many have either feared or dealt with first hand. Springfree trampolines are more expensive but you never have to worry about replacing springs the way you will in a regular trampoline so it can even out cost wise.
Trampoline Pads
One of the first safety additions added to the trampoline were safety pads that covered the springs. The pads are made of foam and either Velcro or tie to the frame of the trampoline. They are used to prevent pinching from the springs and also falling through them. Unfortunately the pads are not very hardy and deteriorate quickly. They are also prone to sliding around which really defeats the purpose they are made for. This is another reason springfree trampolines are growing in popularity.
Safety Guidelines
Safety is very important when it comes to buying a trampoline. One of the safety issues that you need to address ahead of time is the amount of space you have for a trampoline. You should make sure that you have a minimum of 24 feet of clearance overhead. If your trampoline is outside, this will not be a problem, but you should not place the trampoline under wires, phone lines or trees. (Or home overhangs) The horizontal clearance should be at least 6 feet all the way around your trampoline which means it needs to be at least 6 feet away from fences, houses, bushes and cars even if you have a safety enclosure attached.
Some other things to think about include making sure that no more than one or two people are jumping on the trampoline at one time. The instruction sheets of pretty much every trampoline will recommend only one person jumping at a time, but for little ones who like to jump together, two can safely jump if there is proper supervision and no flips or trick jumps are being executed.
Never jump on a wet trampoline. Many serious injuries have happened due to jumping on a wet trampoline. A cover can prevent the trampoline from getting wet in bad weather, but if there is any moisture on it, either dry it thoroughly or wait until it is dried naturally. Jumpers should also not jump with anything in their hands nor should they jump when it is windy outside.
Setting It Up Properly
Fortunately, trampolines are really not that difficult to set up at all and if you have at least 2 adults or an adult and older teen you should be able to assemble it in a couple of hours. Once you choose your trampoline and have it home, you need to check the package to make sure that all the parts you need are there. Your trampoline might be in one or two boxes. Spread everything out on the floor or ground carefully and take the included checklist and go over every part, bolt and nut that is needed.
The reason for doing this is because sometimes parts are left out accidentally and you don’t want to find this out when you are halfway through assembling it. Once you have made sure that all the parts are there you are ready to start on the next step. The basic parts that you will most likely have in your boxes include:
- Springs
- Bars
- Metal legs
- Jump pad
- Spring protectors (pads)
- Enclosure poles
- Enclosure netting
The enclosure poles and netting are not always included when you purchase a trampoline, but more and more are being sold together since they are as popular as a combination and having the enclosure and netting included can increase purchases. If you buy your enclosure separately, it is important to ensure that it fits the trampoline you have purchased properly. An ill-fitting safety enclosure isn’t safe at all.
Make sure that you have all the tools you will need to assemble your trampoline. These will most likely include a Phillips screwdriver, a rubber mallet to drive the springs into their holes and a pulling device of some kind to pull the springs as you are installing them.
Assembly Instructions
For a traditional trampoline, the instructions are pretty much the same regardless of how big the trampoline is. These instructions are for a regular round trampoline with springs. If you are assembling a springfree trampoline you will need to follow those instructions that come with that specific type of trampoline.
The first thing you will do when assembling your new trampoline is to lay out the pieces in a circle. Doing this helps you to see how big the trampoline is going to be when it is set up. Make sure to lay out the ring foundation correctly and attach each part of the ring first before you start attaching the legs.
Next you will assemble the legs and attach them to the main ring. If your trampoline is a larger model, make sure the squares are on the outside of the ring and line the holes up. Repeat this procedure until all the legs are attached to the ring.
Now it’s time to take all the included screws and bolts and attach them in the proper place. Each bolt should be tightened properly to ensure the trampoline is sturdy. Once you have done this, the foundation of your trampoline is complete and you can move on to the next part or the process.
Unroll the trampoline and lay it out on top of the ring. Attach each spring to the correct hooks on the jumping pad BEFORE you attach it to the metal ring. As you attach more and more springs, it will get tighter and harder to pull the springs which is why the pulling device and the rubber mallet are necessary. They definitely make the job much easier. Do this all the way around the trampoline until every spring is connected.
Next in line for assembly is the spring protector. Lay it out on the springs and make sure to line up the spaces in the spring protectors with the bars of the metal stand. Tie the spring protector firmly so there are not gaps. This will prevent scratches and injuries. Depending on the model of trampoline, you may have Velcro attachments for the spring protectors or ropes that you will tie. Don’t tie the ropes so it is impossible to get them loose. You may want to store the trampoline during bad winter weather if you live in a cold, snowy climate and you’ll need to get the spring protectors off to store them away.
Instead of taking the trampoline apart completely during the winter, which could be a pain, invest in a good, heavy cover and cover it to prevent dampness, snow and rain from affecting the springs or other parts, The enclosure is not that difficult to assemble and disassemble, so taking this part down shouldn’t be a problem.
Beware of “Super Sales” and Drastic Markdowns
Whenever there is a big markdown of trampolines you might want to do some additional homework on WHY these particular models might be marked down. Getting a trampoline for a good price is something every consumer wants to do, but when the price has been marked as a close out or is drastically reduced, you should proceed with a bit of caution. The old adage, you get what you pay for, is very true in many situations and this is one of them. You want to be sure that your prospective trampoline is made of good quality materials that are durable and long lasting as well as safely made.
If you see a particular model that is reduced significantly, due some checking on customer reviews to see what others who have already bought it are saying about it. Information from fellow consumers can be one of the best forms of information you can get because they have actually had experience with setting it up, using it and seeing how it is once it is all set up.
Quality Materials are Important
One of the best ways to tell if the jump mat of your trampoline is by the look and feel it has. A higher quality jump mat will have a glossy look and feel to it. The benefit to this glossiness is that is it a lot less likely to cause friction burns and abrasions. A lesser quality jump mat is going to be coarser and can very easily cause friction burns that are similar to carpet burns.
The net is another area where quality makes a big difference. Having a higher quality net prevents it from tearing easily and having to be replaced. Make sure that the net for the enclosure states that it is heavy duty and resistant to tears.
Your frame and springs need to be made of heavy duty steel and not aluminum. Your children will be giving the trampoline a LOT of use, so having heavy duty, durable metal framing will ensure that long lasting fun that won’t end in the metal frame collapsing.
Conclusion
Trampolines can last for years when taken care of properly and they provide hours of entertainment for ALL ages, including adults. When you start looking for a trampoline, don’t just look for the cheapest one around, take the time to go over the information in this buyer’s guide and figure out what your needs and space allotments are and go from there. There are so many different sizes and kinds available that finding one that you and your family will love will not be a problem.
The more care you put into getting the right trampoline, the longer your family will be able to enjoy the benefits of having one. They do so much to provide entertainment, exercise and many other things that will keep you and your kids healthy, happy and having fun for many years to come.
Resources
- Skywalker 15 – http://i5.walmartimages.com
- SkyWalker 12 – http://i.walmartimages.com
- Ultega 14 – http://cdn-s3-1.wanelo.com/
- Skywalker Trampolines – http://www.skywalkertrampolines.com/
- Trampoline Safety – http://www.trampolinesafety.com/trampoline-ratings
