Monthly Archives: January 2012

Jan 27

Trampoline Accessories Could Save A Life

Posted on by

It’s a while ago now, but a number of people sued a major trampoline manufacturing company because their children were injured in a trampoline accident. The cause varied, but some kids were bounced off by other jumpers, whilst other fell after jumping too high. Some were even blown off the trampoline in high winds. It doesn’t matter what caused the trampoline accident, the end result has been that trampoline manufacturers have begun to develop trampoline accessories that can be used to make trampolining a much safer activity for everyone.

One of the most popular of these new trampoline accessories has been the enclosure net. This is designed to stop children accidentally bouncing off the side of the trampoline. It’s also designed so that people can’t get caught inside the springs, which has frequently led to lacerations or broken bones in the past. The good news is that this trampoline accessory has led to a big reduction in the number of deaths and injuries caused by freak trampoline accidents. You can buy enclosure nets in a variety of sizes to suit most standard trampoline models. If you’re buying a new trampoline, it can be bought as part of a package, but if you have an older, large trampoline, you should be able to find a net to fit your model.

Another ongoing problem with trampolines is exposure to rain and snow. Many of the larger trampolines are difficult to disassemble, plus require a large amount of storage space. So now you can buy trampoline covers. This accessory acts in the same way as a pool cover, and a good quality cover will keep the trampoline’s jumping surface dry right throughout the heaviest rains. If you pull the trampoline cover tight enough, you can also protect the trampoline’s springs and jumping platform, as the cover can act as a temporary shield to support a heavy fall of snow.

One trampoline accessory that has been around for a while now is improved springs. This is a great way to get more from your existing trampoline. More robust springs allow you to get a stronger rebound from the jumping area, so you can bounce much higher. Also, if your trampoline is a little the worse for wear after heavy rain or snow, replacing the springs with better ones will help to resurrect a sagging jumping platform. Good quality springs will resist sagging in the first place.

Jan 24

Mini Trampolines – Have Fun Getting Fit Today!

Posted on by

We all know that kids today are getting fat and lazy. They spend countless hours watching TV, surfing the net and playing video games. Far too many are adolescent couch potatoes. And if you, as a parent, try to convince them to do something energetic, the answer is unlikely to be positive. The chances of getting them to the gym while their favorite TV show is on, or when a friend wants to chat online, are about zero. You need to find a way they can get the exercise they need and have some fun doing it, without impacting too much on their lifestyle.

This is where a mini trampoline can be a great investment. A mini trampoline, or rebound trampoline, is easy to use and can be set up almost anywhere in the house. Nearly every kid has gone through the stage of jumping on the bed or the couch, and a mini trampoline can recreate that fun experience without ruining the furniture or falling off the bed.

Their favorite TV show is on? No problem, jump on the mini trampoline in front of the television. Involved in an online chat? Have a few bounces when you’re waiting for someone to reply. And when it’s not in use, most mini trampolines can be stowed away in a cupboard or under the bed.

By the way, don’t think a mini trampoline should only be for the kids – it can be great for your health too. You can do your own mini trampoline workouts to help improve your cardiac fitness. Depending on the type of workout you do, you can focus on weight loss, cardiac fitness or strength training. The hardest part will be finding a time to have a turn!

Here are some of the ways that every member of your family can benefit from a mini trampoline:

- improves circulation
- low impact exercise, so safer for knees and ankles
- burns more calories than jogging
- strengthens legs and thighs
- good for coordination and balance
- great cardio workout
- it’s great fun!!

When you’re choosing a mini trampoline, make sure you find one with six legs. This means it will be a lot more stable than a four-legged model, and it’s worth paying a few extra dollars for that stability. You can also buy models with a stabilizer bar if you need some extra stability.

The important thing is to get started – your health and fitness will thank you – and so will your kids!

Jan 21

Buying A Trampoline

Posted on by

If you’re planning on buying a trampoline, there are a number of things you need to consider before choosing one. After all, you want your trampoline to last, and it’s also important that it’s safe for you and anyone else to use. There’s no point buying a trampoline that will fall apart after six months outside, or that could be a safety hazard.

Basically, trampolines come in three shapes – rectangular, square and round. They’re also available in many sizes, from mini trampolines that you can use indoors for exercising, right through to large trampolines for outdoor use. You need to take a close look at the trampoline before buying it, and pay particular attention to the frame pads, spring, frame and jumping mat.

When it comes to safety, the frame pads are one of the most important parts of the trampoline. Look for thick, wide pads, with good quality material, so that you know the frame pads are well made, and will provide a good level of protection. The frame itself needs to be strong and sturdy, particularly for bigger trampolines, because it’s likely that more than one person will use the trampoline at the same time on occasion. The frame should never show signs of bending or bowing when it’s set up, and it shouldn’t flex when someone bounces on the trampoline.

The jumping mat needs to be made of strong, quality material, and be properly stitched. The mat needs to be strong enough to withstand the weight of at least one adult, and preferably two. Jumping mats come in several grades, and if you want your trampoline to last a long time, then choose one of the better mats. Check out the springs, too, and make sure they’re strong and solid. See if they sag, weaken or stretch out of shape after use. Longer springs mean a better bounce, so keep that in mind if you want a particularly bouncy trampoline.

Try asking family and friends if they can recommend a quality supplier of trampolines. Also, look to see if the manufacturer has adhered to international safety standards. You can also visit the International Trampoline Industry Association (ITIA), which is a trade association for manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of trampolines and related equipment.

Jan 18

Bungee Trampolining – Get Your Party Jumping!

Posted on by

Bungee jumping has been around a while now, and is becoming more popular. Nobody seems to be able to agree about whether or not it’s a true sport, but it’s hard to deny that certainly is an extreme form of recreation. Anyone who does a bungee jump does so knowing that they may well be risking both life and limb. But if you’d like the thrill without quite so much risk, then bungee trampolining may be just what you’re looking for.

There comes a day when the kids are a bit too big for a bounce house at their party, or perhaps you want to entertain a group of adults. That’s where the bungee trampoline comes in. Mind you, this exciting pastime isn’t just restricted to private parties any more – giant sized trampolines are beginning to show up at carnivals, theme parks and even shopping centers. It doesn’t matter where it is, a bungee trampoline certainly will give anyone a thrill if they’re brave enough to have a go.

Basically, a bungee trampoline is basically a regular trampoline and some bungee jumping apparatus combined together. Two tall poles are attached to the side of a standard trampoline, and the bungee cords are attached to the tops of the poles. The jumper climbs into a bungee harness that is positioned in the center of the trampoline, with the harness attached to the bungee cords. Then the jumper starts to bounce on the trampoline, just the same as you would on any standard trampoline. The technician supervising the jumper gradually tightens the bungee cords, so that the jumper experiences more push when jumping.

The result is that the person can jump a great deal higher than normal on the trampoline. Recent bungee trampoline designs even allow the jumper to perform tricks as they bounce up into the air. It’s still only possible to do simple rotations and spins, but it still makes the whole experience a lot more exciting than just jumping up and down. If you’re looking for something fun and exciting to have at your next party, then take a look at hiring a bungee trampoline. The only hard part will be keeping things under control, because everyone will want a go!

Jan 15

Trampolining – Getting Started

Posted on by

When you first get on a trampoline, it can be very tempting to try and imitate others, by doing bounces then dropping on to your bottom or back. But these maneuvers require skill and practice. If you want to become good at trampolining, and avoid the risk of serious injury, then it’s better to start with the basics.

The most basic maneuvers in trampolining involve changing positions in the air, rather than altering which part of your anatomy you bounce on. The six basic movements all involve bouncing on your feet, and performing the maneuver while airborne. Mastering them helps you to get a feel for using a trampoline, as well as developing your skills.

Tuck Jump
For this jump, you take off from the trampoline, arms high in the air, and just as you reach your maximum height, draw your knees up to your chest and hold on to them with your arms. It’s generally best to lean forward slightly at the same time. As you drop back to the trampoline, extend your body fully again.

Piked Straddle Jump
Bounce up from the trampoline, and as you reach maximum height, spread your legs out in a v-shape, at right angles to your body. The hands reach forward to rest on the ankles, although a variation is to hold your arms out straight between your parted legs. The body curves forward slightly. Return to the extended vertical position as you drop back to the trampoline.

Piked Jump
This is very similar to the previous jump, except this time your legs are held together, toes pointed. The hands rest on the ankles. It’s very important to keep your legs firmly together; otherwise the jump becomes untidy very quickly. Return to the vertical as descending.

Splits Jump
Generally more popular with women, in this jump one leg is raised forwards, one backwards as maximum height is reach. So basically the trampolinist is performing the splits in the air, hence the name. Arms can be held in a variety of positions, including out to the side, or one up and one down to form a cross in the air.

Half-Twist Jump
This jump is slightly different to the previous four, because the movement commences as soon as you leave the trampoline, rather than at the height of the bounce. As you push off from the trampoline, turn the upper part of your body in the direction you wish to twist. This creates torque, and the rest of the body will follow in the same direction. It’s important to control the amount of torque you create in your body; otherwise you will over rotate the jump. Your arms can be in a number of positions, including by your sides, one in the air and one across your stomach, or one behind your head and one across the stomach.

Full-Twist Jump
This jump is basically the same as the previous one, except that more force is applied when leaving the trampoline, causing extra torque and forcing the body to do a full rotation in the air.

These jumps may sound quite simple, and they are certainly the most basic maneuvers on the trampoline, but it will still take some time to get them exactly right. It’s particularly difficult to apply exactly the right amount of force in the twisting jumps. Once you’ve mastered these basic skills, you can move on to some of the more complicated movements.

Jan 12

Trampoline Safety

Posted on by

In the last 50 years trampolines have become increasingly popular. You can buy everything from a small, round mini-trampoline for exercise right through to a large backyard model. It’s important to remember, though, that using a trampoline can be dangerous, particularly for the inexperienced. So if you have a trampoline already, or are thinking of purchasing one for your family, here are some simple ideas you should implement to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the trampoline.

Placing Your Trampoline

It’s easy to think that as long as you have a space that’s big enough for the width and length of trampoline, that’s enough. But you also need to look above the trampoline, remembering that people will bounce a lot higher than you probably expect! If the trampoline is outside, place it away from trees, fences, clotheslines, outdoor furniture or any other object that could cause injury. There should be a clear space right around the trampoline, preferably for as much as 10 feet, so that anyone falling off the trampoline won’t go head first into the barbecue. It’s a good idea to pad the area around the trampoline, and again, 10 feet is a good distance.

If possible, set the trampoline partially into the ground, so that someone who falls off doesn’t fall quite so far. You can either partially submerge the legs and supports into the ground, or you can place the trampoline into a pit so that the top of the trampoline is at ground level.

One Person Only

It’s very easy to get excited when there’s a trampoline available, and kids in particular can get carried away, with 2 or more climbing on and bouncing around together. Unfortunately the more kids there are, the higher the risk of injury. This can be as simple as two of them crashing into each other, or the irregularity of the trampoline’s bounce can upset one child’s balance. So this rule must be enforced – one person at a time, and everyone else needs to stand well away, not lean against the edge of the trampoline.

What To Wear?

It’s important to wear clothing that’s loose enough to allow freedom of movement. Take off any extras, like jewelry, eyeglasses (unless secured by a headband) and the loose contents in your pockets. You can buy special trampoline footwear, but if you don’t have that, wear nothing on your feet. Socks make it far too easy to slip over.

Take It Easy

Trampolining is great fun, and it’s easy to think that because you can do a somersault on the ground, you can do one on a trampoline. But it’s a lot more complicated than that, and you shouldn’t encourage anyone to try doing tumbles unless they’ve had adequate training. Landing the wrong way can cause serious and even disabling injuries. You should always watch anyone, particularly a child, who hasn’t used a trampoline before. If you’ve had some basic training yourself, then stay around and give a few basic pointers about how to do simple maneuvers correctly. It’s also a good idea to undertake some basic first aid training, specifically for injuries like broken bones.

If the whole family is going to be using the trampoline, why not enroll in a basic trampolining course? That way you can all learn some simple moves, as well as the correct methods of mounting and dismounting. This ensures you’ll all be able to enjoy the trampoline more, and be safe while you do it.

Jan 09

Trampoline Moves – Beyond The Basics

Posted on by

Once you’ve mastered the various jumps and moves that involve taking off and landing on your feet, what comes next? Well, mastering the basics should have given you a good feel for bouncing on the trampoline, and it’s time to move on to more complicated jumps.

Seat Drop

The first movement to learn after the basic feet bounces is the seat drop. This is because it’s a movement we’re already familiar with, having sat down in numerous chairs through our lives, and also because your bottom is well padded. So learning a seat drop helps you to feel comfortable about bouncing something other than your feet on the trampoline. Start in the middle of the trampoline, legs pointed, and drop back towards the trampoline. Your arms should be behind your torso, with the hands facing towards the feet, not away from the body. This is so that your elbows are in the right position to flex when you land. Your body should form a V-shape, with your bottom acting as the bottom of the V. You shouldn’t bounce with your legs flat on the trampoline and your torso at right angles, because when you bounce back upwards it’s hard to control your body. Always begin simply by performing the seat drop, without any preliminary bouncing.

Knee Drop

In this move, you drop onto the trampoline and land on your knees. Your knees should be spread to about the width of your hips, to give extra stability. Your upper body needs to be at right angles to your knees, so that all your weight is passing in a straight line down through your knees. It’s important to keep your body in this position as you bounce, otherwise you will get thrown either forward or back on the rebound.

Hands and Knees Bounce

Contrary to what most people think, you do not perform this bounce with your body parallel with the trampoline, but with your body resting back on your calves. So your body is in fact tucked. Your hands need to land just beside the knees, not far out in front. This gives maximum bounce and helps the jumper to impact the trampoline in one movement. If you try and separate your hands and knees, you end up with two separate impact points, which can cause two independent recoils. The back can also buckle in the middle, which can result in injury.

Many people think that it’s easy to just get on a trampoline and start performing these drop moves without needing to think about performing them correctly. This is a mistake, and unless you pay attention to landing the correct way, you can risk injury while performing the drop or when your body recoils awkwardly from the trampoline.

Jan 06

Trampoline Exercise – What Can It Do For You?

Posted on by

Everywhere you turn nowadays, there are more and more reminders that exercise is important for your overall health and well-being. But it all just seems like such a hassle, or very expensive. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a method of exercise that’s fun, cost effective, helps you lose weight, look younger and heaps of other benefits, and lets you watch TV at the same time? If you think that sounds perfect, then rebound trampolining is for you!

Rebounding doesn’t require you to buy lots of expensive equipment or pay membership fees – all you need is a mini trampoline. The good thing about rebounding is that using a trampoline makes it low impact, so it can be beneficial to almost anyone. Even if you’re disabled or elderly you can use a trampoline to help improve your fitness.

Even better, you can do your rebounding routine in the privacy of your own home, and can watch TV while you’re doing it. So no more endless hours staring at the gym walls. There’s no need to take time out of your busy schedule or plan out an exercise regime, you just hope on the trampoline and start rebounding.

There are lots of health benefits you can gain from exercising on a mini-trampoline, here’s just a few to get you started:

- Exercise your whole body in one session
- Strengthen your muscles
- Strengthen your bones; very important if you’re older or at risk of osteoporosis
- Improve the functioning of the lymphatic system
- Improve the elasticity of your skin, which helps reduce the effects of aging

All of these benefits combine to improve your overall state of health and give you a feeling of well-being. In addition, exercise helps your body become stronger and more resistant to disease and illness.

Of course there’s not just physical health benefits, these are some more general areas that you can improve by trampolining:

- Lose some weight
- Lower your cholesterol
- Increased energy
- Improve your coordination and balance
- Reduce stress and tension

All these benefits, and yet rebounding is so fun and easy to do, with minimum stress on your body – what a great form of exercise. It’s easy to pick up a cheap mini trampoline, but it may be worth spending a few extra dollars to make sure you get a solid trampoline that will go the distance and be safe to use. It’s best to get a trampoline with 6 legs for added stability, and a non-slip surface.

It’s also helpful to buy a mini trampoline with unscrewable legs, so that you can put it away in the cupboard or under the bed when it’s not in use. It’s also good if the trampoline has a solid spring system, for extra support and durability.

Rebounding is a fabulous form of exercise for every part of your body, and the good thing is that you can do your exercise as you’re watching your favorite TV program.