 Tips on Buying
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Size
Big is best in trampolines. Big is safer - and more fun!
Children love bouncing on trampolines - it's fun, burns off energy
and keeps them fit. But they need room on a tramp to jump safely,
and quality safety pads as a buffer around
the edges.
A trampoline with a frame size of 3.8m x 2.5m or larger is best
- there is plenty of room for the sort of energetic activity children
get up to.
Rectangular trampolines give the best bounce and control; that's
why all competitive tramps are rectangular.
Frame
Round pipe can bend and flex; box section steel frames are stronger
and by far the best option. A hot-dip galvanised finish will make
the frame last for years, and help prevent corrosion which could
weaken the frame.
Look for a tramp with four 'V' shaped legs as they give the best
stability.
Be wary of trampolines that have a weight restriction. When you
bounce you can double or even treble your bodyweight when you impact
the mat.
Springs
Quality trampolines will have 250mm (10") springs (measured
when relaxed, off the tramp).
The smaller 180mm (7") springs found on smaller, round-pipe
frames will permanently stretch over time, especially if used by
a larger child or adult, reducing the tramp's bounce. (And we can
almost guarantee that adults will have a bounce when no-one is looking
- tramps are fun!)
Shape
Trampolining as a sport is always done on a rectangular trampoline. We recommend this shape.
Safety Pads
These are essential for all trampolines; we strongly recommend
them.
Look for pads that have a good thickness and are covered with a
waterproof, heavy UV-resistant PVC fabric on top, with an open-weave
mesh underneath to allow the foam to breathe and any moisture to
freely drain away. Pads entirely covered in mesh mean soggy knees
and bottoms when climbing onto the tramp.
Most trampolines do not have corner springs. Safety pads should
not extend over this area as they have no support and would simply
be hiding a 'hole' and would collapse if a child sat or stood there.
Elbow-shaped corner pads which cover the frame only are suitable
for box-section steel frames.
If the trampoline has corner springs the pads can extend over the
corner while being fully supported. These are the premium pads,
and eliminate the need for separate corner pads.
In-Ground Trampolines
In-ground trampolines are now an option in New Zealand. These trampolines are arguably safer than above ground trampolines as there is no height to fall from.
Ladders
We don't recommend ladders - they make it too easy for little children
to climb onto the tramp. If a child is too small to get on a trampoline
unaided, they should not be on it unsupervised.
Warranty
Warranties can vary considerably. If buying new, trampolines should
have a comprehensive warranty, and the galvaniser should also provide
a warranty.
Our Opinion
We like the quality of Gymleader trampolines and recommend them.
Relatively new to New Zealand are Inground Trampolines. We recommend these.
Through field testing and 20 years of personal
experience with all types, brands and sizes of trampolines, we know
that a strong, good-sized quality trampoline will give you more
years of use, more safety, and more fun.
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