A trampoline can be a great investment for both an individual and a family. It provides recreation, exercise, and fun without breaking the bank. You don’t need a bunch of fancy equipment to go with it, but some safety items (like a trampoline pad) are probably a good idea. You should consider the following factors when in the market for a new trampoline.
Size
You can find trampolines designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The primary determination is whether they will actually fit through a door. Outdoor trampolines can range anywhere from a six foot diameter to a sixteen foot diameter. Consider your intended usage and space available when deciding on the size.
If you only want to jump aerobically for half an hour and don’t have much use for the recreation and fun aspects, then you probably just want a small indoor trampoline. But if you have kids, you’ll definitely want to go with a bigger model so that they can play on the trampoline and have less risk of landing on the springs or metal bar.
Price
An unfortunate aspect of a large outdoor trampoline is that they will cost significantly more than an indoor exercise trampoline. While not nearly approaching the cost of a car or high end electronics, you can expect a decent size tramp to cost somewhere in the low three figures. Weighing price with size is a pretty decent way to arrive at your specifications for your purchase.
Type
Most people think of a trampoline and picture one of the round backyard types or the small, round exercise types. But there are actually a variety of shapes that you can choose from. Large rectangular trampolines are generally used for professional and Olympic competitions to give plenty of room for fancy tricks and landing. Square trampolines are becoming much more common as manufacturers realize that they’re easier to make and the bouncing surface is slightly more durable (because of the angle of the springs versus the weave pattern). Small triangle trampolines can also be found, which usually come with a handhold for young children.