Pros and Cons of Trampolines: Should You Buy a Trampoline?

Let’s face it: trampolines are fun. They’re also a little, or a lot, dangerous. To avoid long-term injuries, it’s important to know the potential pros and cons of trampolines before deciding if getting one is right for you and your family.

Trampolines have been around for over 70 years and are an extremely popular choice for people who want the thrill of diving headfirst into the summer sky. With a wide variety of trampoline designs, colors, and shapes to choose from, it is no wonder why so many people have these in their backyard.

Should you get a trampoline for your child or for yourself? Read on to find out more about the pros and cons of owning one.

Should I buy a trampoline?

Trampolines have some exciting benefits. They offer a fun form of cardio exercise and help kids develop essential coordination and balance skills.

However, trampolines also pose major safety risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended against trampoline use for children under 6 years old.

In fact, trampoline accidents account for over one million ER visits each year, many of which send small children to the hospital with serious injuries like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.

Kids aren’t the only ones at risk, either.

Adult trampoline injuries are on the rise as well, especially among women over 40.

Does that mean that you should not buy a trampoline?

I think you should balance the pros and cons first before making a decision, and after getting one, you have to ensure that safety precautions are taken and enforced.

Also, don’t forget to check out the best time to buy a trampoline to maximize your savings.

Pros of having a trampoline

1. Trampolines encourage playing

Our children are more reliant on video games, social media, cell phones, texting, television, and other forms of technology in today’s environment.

To say that they are addicted is a mild understatement.

As a result, fewer children are participating in conventional outdoor activities such as riding bikes, swimming, or simply strolling.

Trampolines encourage play and make activities more enjoyable.

They’re a fun diversion that you don’t have to push them to perform, unlike a tedious, unappealing one.

Read this too: 9 Fun Trampoline Games

2. Reduce stress

The majority of us are overworked and restless.

These symptoms can be triggered by simple acts such as consuming too much coffee.

Regular exercise, however, is the key to managing these symptoms.

Trampoline jumping has been demonstrated to ease all of these symptoms and even promote excellent sleep.

3. It is super fun!

I should have put this in the first spot but here it is. Trampolines are super fun!

They make kids (and adults) smile, giggle and forget about their troubles for a little bit.

You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to bounce on a trampoline — it’s accessible for everyone.

You can do a lot of cool stunts and maneuvers, or even simply bouncing around in them is a lot of fun.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro.

You will still find plenty of enjoyment in it!

4. You do not need to head out to jump on one

People who do not have access to a trampoline at home have to visit a trampoline park to jump on one.

This may require you to drive for extended periods of time, especially if you live in a remote location where the nearest trampoline park is many miles away.

Furthermore, trampoline parks are not cheap, and buying your own trampoline instead of visiting one would save you a lot of money in the long run.

5. Improve skeletal system

Trampoline workouts are low impact, which means they are easier on your joints than weight-bearing exercises, such as running and aerobics.

Studies have shown that bouncing on a trampoline increases bone mass and strengthens the skeletal system.

The extra benefits of rebounding are increased coordination and improved balance.

6. Strengthen heart and lung endurance

Trampolining increases your blood circulation and strengthens your heart, which helps pump blood to the rest of your body more efficiently.

Because you need oxygen to burn fat, trampolining can boost your overall fitness by increasing your lung capacity.

7. Improve balance and coordination

Trampolining is a weight-bearing activity that requires your body to work against gravity while jumping, which strengthens your bones and improves balance.

According to the National Institute of Aging, improving balance can help prevent falls — one of the leading causes of injury in older adults.

8. Combat restlessness

People of all ages are affected by restlessness, or the inability to relax.

Anything — too much caffeine, stress, bodily pain, you name it — can induce this.

Bouncing is a great way for youngsters with ADHD to channel their energy and work off their restlessness.

According to the US National Library of Medicine, exercise enhances our overall sleep quality over time.

Trampolining can actually help you sleep better because it is a type of exercise, and a good one at that I should add.

9. Less stress on the joints

One of the biggest benefits of trampolines is that they’re low-impact, meaning they put less stress on your knees, ankles, and back.

As much as we’d like to believe it, our bodies aren’t made to withstand every exercise or sport out there.

Our joints are prone to injury when we take part in high-impact activities like running, tennis, or soccer.

Trampolining is a great alternative because it puts less stress on our joints.

It’s also great for people who may have joint pain due to osteoarthritis.

Not only does jumping on a trampoline reduce the pain from arthritis and increase mobility, but it can also help strengthen leg muscles and improve balance.

Read this too: 4 Best Alternatives to Trampolines

10. Know where your kids are at

When you have a trampoline in your backyard, you may not need to nag your kids to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors.

With a trampoline, your kids can also burn off some of that excess energy that seems to have no outlet, and you will know exactly where they are rather than worrying if they are getting into trouble outside!

11. Beautify your backyard

Trampolines can make your garden look nicer.

When you’re choosing what to put in your garden, you want something that looks nice as well as is safe and fun for the whole family.

Trampolines come in a wide variety of colors, so you can choose one that looks great and complements your garden furniture.

12. Easy to install on your own

You won’t need an expert to install your backyard trampoline if you have some prior experience with hands-on work.

In fact, you’ll be able to do everything yourself, and you can even enlist the help of your children.

As a result, putting a trampoline in your yard may be a fun family endeavor that teaches your kids a variety of skills.

As a result, you may develop your relationships with your children, and they will often be eager and motivated to assist you.

13. Great family bonding time

Kids love to bounce around on a trampoline.

And in that respect, trampolines can be quite a family affair.

You can spend quality time with your kids and their friends or relatives on the trampoline having a great time together.

14. Potential gymnastics star

As you can see above, playing on the trampoline has many benefits for children. With time and practice, you might just uncover the next gymnastics star coming from your family!

Read this too: How to make a trampoline bouncier?

Cons of having a trampoline

1. It takes maintenance effort

Having such a large “toy” also means you need to take care of it for it to function properly and safely.

You will not only need to spend money on your trampoline, but you will also need to maintain it on a regular basis.

When it rains, for example, you must cover it.

You must also ensure that it is firmly anchored to withstand strong gusts and not land up in your neighbor’s yard.

As you can see, you’ll have to devote some time to those time-consuming tasks, so make sure you’re ready to make this time commitment before purchasing an outdoor trampoline for your home.

2. Homeowner’s insurance

Due to the risky nature of jumping on trampolines, some insurers do not cover you if you own a trampoline.

Many rules prohibit trampolines or require that trampolines be located in enclosed locations with limited access.

Before you get a trampoline, talk to your representative about your risks.

3. Risk of getting injured

As you might know, jumping on trampolines can lead to injuries if it is not done correctly. Small injuries like trampoline burns or a pinch are pretty harmless, but if not done right, serious accidents can happen.

With my trampolines, I always ensure that they have a safety net enclosure and set certain ground rules for my kids. I also take time to check on my trampoline before using it to see if there are any unusual bends in the frame or legs or damage.

4. Cheap trampolines are dangerous

The truth is, good trampolines are made of high-quality materials that will ensure their integrity when using it. Cheaper ones have to make up the price difference somewhere, so it is not unusual to find that lower-quality materials are used.

This can lead to serious problems down the road, which is why I only choose trustworthy and well-known brands.

5. Noise problem

Anyone who has jumped on a trampoline before knows the distinct sound it makes. It is pretty rewarding for the jumper as it enhances the jumping experience, especially when you get a big bounce.

The problem is, your neighbors might not think the same way. This can lead to some ugly confrontations if it is not handled properly. Worse still, a faulty trampoline could have high-pitched squeaking noises that are far more annoying.

6. Space constraints

After installing your trampoline, you might find that your backyard becomes a lot smaller.

This could be detrimental to some who wish to use their backyard for other purposes.

In this regard, you would have to consider the size of a trampoline carefully, as well as the safety clearance required, before you buy one.

In conclusion: Pros and Cons of trampolines

Now that we have the rundown of the pros and cons of having a trampoline at home, how about some closing words of advice?

Basically, if you want to get a trampoline, do it!

When done properly (with safety nets in place), they’re a great way to get exercise and entertainment for your kids.

And who knows, even you might enjoy them too.

If you’re still deciding whether you should buy a trampoline or not, hopefully our pros and cons list will help you be more informed in your buying decision!

Read this too: What is the difference between a rebounder and a trampoline? 7 things to take note