subject: Trampolines [print this page] Trampolines are a great way of both having fun and keeping fit. In the last 5-10 years their popularity for home use has skyrocketed, and they are now a common feature of gardens up and down the country.
Garden trampolines
People tend to buy a larger trampoline for their garden, as this is usually where you have the most space both in terms of width and height. Even if you had a room big enough for a large trampoline inside your house, it is unlikely the ceiling would be high enough for you to make the most of it. Performing jumps and tricks beyond anything required for the basic fitness routine requires height, and you just will not be able to achieve this indoors.
Common sizes of garden trampolines range from 8 feet to 14 feet in diameter. A trampoline 8 feet in size is ideal for toddlers and small children, as it is not too big, and is also fairly lightweight and therefore easy to move out of the way when the child wants to run around. A safety enclosure is always a good idea for a trampoline, especially when there will be children using it, as you are unlikely to have facilities such as crash mats and spotters as a gym would should they jump off the edge.
If you have a small child who likes to perform tricks rather than just jumping around, you may want to consider a trampoline 10 feet in size, as this offers a bigger space for them to do this. If you are planning on using the trampoline as well as your children, you may wish to consider a trampoline 12 feet in size, as this will be able to take your weight better. If you plan on having multiple people use the trampoline at one time, or really want a large amount of space for performing tricks, then a trampoline 14 feet in size is just for you.
Trampolines for exercise
There is nothing wrong with using an exercise trampoline in your garden, however many people choose to use them indoors where you can exercise in front of the TV, either to your favourite show or along to an exercise DVD. Also sometimes known as mini trampolines, these are a great way to exercise, as even doing something simple such as jogging gives you a better workout when done on a trampoline. Some of these come with handles, which can also make them ideal for very small children to have a bounce on.
Exercising on a trampoline is also known as rebounding, and not only gives you a good workout, it provides a less harsh impact on your joints such as your knees, which also makes it an ideal exercise to do when you are recovering from an injury or otherwise have not worked out for some time.
Which trampoline to buy
A large, outdoors trampoline is probably best for those who do not want to use it for regular and serious workouts, however you will still feel the benefits of doing it. A mini trampoline is best suited for anybody wanting to regularly workout, as whilst not suitable for performing large jumps or tricks, will allow you to perform a number of rebound exercises with ease.
