Mini Trampoline: Springs vs Bands. How to choose?

How do you choose between spring or bungee cord rebounders?

Mini trampolines, or rebounders, are a great addition to any family who wants a fun and effective way to work out. Not only do they not take up much space, but they are also able to let your household take on a low impact yet high-intensity workout right in the comfort of your own home.

While knowing the benefits of rebounding are useful, you might also want to know how to choose between spring and bungee cord rebounders.

The main difference between spring and bungee cord rebounders is that spring rebounders are cheaper, less elastic, and noisier, while bungee cord rebounders are higher priced, have a better and softer bounce, and operate very quietly.

In this post, you will learn about each type of rebounder’s good and bad side and hopefully, this will help you to make a more informed choice as to which to invest in.

How does a spring rebounder work?

Steel springs secure the rim of the spring rebounder to its mat, and in those higher-end models, you will tend to find tapered steel springs and a padded cover over the springs for improved safety.

This style of the mini trampoline has a solid bounce, allowing you to do more than just jump on it.

You can try jogging and hopping, for example.

Pay particular attention to the quality of your seller’s items, since mini trampolines with springs may have obsolete construction.

This is because the use of springs in trampolines can be considered an older technology (still useful though) and with lower quality brands, the so-called galvanized steel springs might still end up rusting.

When to use a spring mini trampoline?

If you have the following in mind, a spring mini trampoline might be more suitable for you:

• Bouncier and higher jumps
• Higher intensity workouts

Features of spring rebounders

Spring rebounder setup and installation

Setup is usually required for spring rebounders.

What you need to do is to carefully hook each spring from the net into the holes provided on the frame during setup.

Pulling each spring and keeping the jumping surface from sagging takes some work while setting up the spring trampolines.

This is an important step in ensuring that you have the best jumping experience.

Materials used in spring rebounders

Spring trampolines are made with galvanized and rust-resistant springs that provide power to each jump while exercising.

However, not all spring trampolines have rust-free springs; some contain springs that can become brittle when exposed to adverse weather.

The length of time they are expected to last determines their ability to resist or accumulate rust.

Spring rebounder safety

When it comes to mini trampolines, safety is the most important factor to consider.

Spring rebounders are more difficult to safety-proof due to the harsh metal of the spring mechanism.

While they may provide a good bounce performance, users must contend with risks such as broken springs, pinched fingers, and hands/feet accidentally striking the springs.

Most quality spring rebounders have a variety of safety mechanisms to combat these hazards, so be sure to keep a lookout for those.

I would also recommend getting a set with covered springs if you are concerned about this factor.

Spring rebounder bounce performance

The jumping experience varies greatly from one individual to the next.

Some people like trampolines with stronger bounces, while others prefer trampolines with more bounce.

Spring rebounders produce a bouncier bounce that is better for activities that require a lot more action, i.e. jumping up and down often.

Pros of using a spring rebounder

• Easily available with lots of different options
• Usually lower priced
• Great bounce for more dynamic workouts

Cons of using a spring rebounder

• Needs to be set up, and mistakes can be made during this process
• Harsher on your joints
• Might be lower quality (so you should stick to well-known brands only)
• Springs may rust and corrode over time, causing squeaking noise or stability issues

How does a bungee cord rebounder work?

A bungee cord or no-spring rebounder is a different type of rebounder.

The trampoline mat is attached to the rim with robust yet flexible cables, unlike a mini trampoline with springs.

A springless rebounder produces less bounce, which is gentler on your body’s joints and ligaments.

At the same time, it also makes your muscles work harder, which helps you burn more calories.

In addition, if you can’t stand unpleasant squeaks and noises, the springless rebounder is quieter and firmer than most other rebounders.

When to use a springless mini trampoline?

If you have the following in mind, a spring mini trampoline might be more suitable for you:

• More protection for your joints
• Firmer bounce (you can still do workouts on it)
• Lesser noise output
• Improve your lymphatic system

Features of no spring rebounders

Bungee cord rebounder setup and installation

Bungee cord mini trampolines are easy to set up because they usually come with the bands already attached and sufficiently looped around the frame when you buy them.

While shopping, it is also critical to select a type with easily replaceable bands.

The cords on some bungee cord rebounders are known for being difficult to attach to the frames, so to make assembly easier, it’s usually advisable to follow the directions to the letter and use the tools given by the company.

Materials used in bungee cord rebounder

The good thing about springless rebounders is that they are absolutely rust-free because they are manufactured with either bungee or elastic bands.

This feature allows it to last for a long time; however, certain low-quality bands may break and need to be replaced.

This does not mean that the product’s life is over as it can still be used even if the cables are broken, although replacement is always required.

Bungee cord rebounder safety

Because there are more soft sections on springless trampolines, they are safer than spring rebounders.

Regardless of the safety procedures in place, there is less of a danger of pinched fingers or toes.

Furthermore, these trampolines have been enhanced with band covers that can be used as part of the jumping.

Bungee cord rebounder bounce performance

Trampolines with bungee cords provide a firmer bounce than trampolines without them.

It may appear ironic, given that bungee cords have incredible elasticity, as demonstrated by bungee leaping.

To achieve this, though, the cords will need to be extended further. This implies the trampoline will need to take up more room and the distance between the mat and the floor will need to be increased.

The purpose of springless trampolines is to provide a strong bouncing experience, which is why they are commonly used for fitness and for children to jump on safely.

If for some reason you want to make your elastic bands bounce more flexible, you can do so by extending the lines beyond their fixed length.

Just ensure that there is enough space between the mat and the floor to generate higher bounces.

Pros of using a bungee cord rebounder

• Less stress on your joints
• Very quiet
• Easy to set up
• Long-lasting

Cons of using a bungee cord rebounder

• Usually cost more

Spring vs Bungee Rebounder for Lymphatic Drainage

Our lymphatic system plays an important role in our bodily and mental well-being.

Keeping your immune system free of blockages aids in the development of a healthy immune system.

The immune system might be compared to our body’s drainage system, which removes poisons that have accumulated within the cells.

Toxins are found in lymph fluid, which our lymph nodes filter and clean.

To keep our bodies free of toxins, the muscles and joints must contract and relax in order for the lymph fluid to move freely.

This is where a rebounder for lymph drainage might be useful.

It’s crucial to note, however, that no matter which type of rebounder you use, whether bungee or spring, your lymphatic system will still be drained. 

Rebounding causes muscle tension and relaxation in a cyclic pattern, which aids lymph fluid movement.

As a result, it is the rebounding movement, not the mat type, that aids lymphatic drainage.

In conclusion: Are spring or bungee rebounders better?

Mini trampoline pricing is reasonable and a lot of good can be said of both the spring and bungee rebounders, and amazingly they even benefit your skin!

That makes deciding between the two pretty difficult, isn’t it?

Personally, I would go for a springless rebounder each time as they do offer a few more benefits over the spring rebounder. I also particularly like that it is quiet and exerts less impact on my weak joints.

If you want a good bungee rebounder, consider checking out the JumpSport Home Fitness Rebounder. It does cost a fair bit, but totally worth the investment.

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