What to look for when selecting a garden trampoline

As with most successful products it doesn't take long before they are copied and today you can buy a trampoline from many different sources - BUT - beware of cheap imitations. Did you know there is no official British or European standard for garden trampolines. As the pressure grows to make products cheaper, so does the temptation to cut corners and compromise on quality. The result is that there are numerous low-quality, cheap trampolines available today which in our opinion have no place in the children's play equipment market. So ask lots of questions of your retailer to reassure yourself that they know what they're talking about - if they don't, you could be buying a whole lot of trouble.

What is the best Trampoline to buy?

The question that is often asked is "Who makes the best trampolines". Of course, we would say that Super Tramp make the best trampolines but the question you should really ask is "what is the best trampoline for me".

"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Round or rectangular? Contrary to popular belief not all trampolines are round. All sporting trampolines have always been, and still are, rectangular.We have used our knowledge and experience from our sports hall trampolines and used it to create a range of Rectangular Trampolines that can be used as performance models and for garden fun. Our new XR range includes new Rentagular Trampolines complete with a Trampoline Safety Enclosure which is based on the same design as our Fun Bouncer and Super Bouncer Round Trampolines.

Word of mouth. If you have not already done so, talk to people you know who already have a garden trampoline and have used it for a few years. If they are happy with it then find out who they bought it from. They have experienced the ordering and delivery process of the supplier. They have assembled the trampoline. They will be able to tell you how well it works. What might have broken and how well their supplier has looked after them if they have had any problems or needed replacement parts (and if they did need parts, were they readily available?)

What size trampoline should you buy? I can tell you that the most common regret we hear from customers is: ''How I wish I had bought a bigger trampoline". So if you have the space and budget then buy the biggest. Do avoid non-standard trampoline sizes as you will find it very difficult to buy spare parts. Standard round trampoline sizes are always even numbers - 8, 10, 12 and 14 feet in diameter.

Will it fit in my garden? No, I am not trying to insult your intelligence. There have been dozens of occasions when having just built their new trampoline, customers have called to say. ''It's too big to fit the space in my garden''. So please do measure the space you have allocated to the trampoline and try to visualise something several meters high filling that space. I would suggest that you lay out a hose pipe to the approximate size and position to help with the visulaisation.

How can I make my trampoline as safe as possible?

Firstly you need to be aware of the specific risks. They are:

a. Falling off the trampoline.

b. Falling on the trampoline frame.

c. Colliding with another bouncer

d. Landing badly on the trampoline bed.

e. Toddlers and pets going under the trampoline when it is in use.

f. Your trampoline being blown away in high winds.

To deal with these risks one by one:

a. Falling off: Easily prevented by buying your trampoline with a netting enclosure. These are great for your peace of mind especially with other parents children bouncing on your trampoline. Having said that, one of the benefits of trampolining is the development of your children's spacial awareness, co-ordination and sense of self-preservation. Once these senses are developed it is in fact very difficult to fall off a round trampoline.

b. Falling on the trampoline frame. Ouch! This is the part of the trampoline that can do the most damage. Even the very best of trampoline frame pads are still concealing a solid steel framework. If there is no netting enclosure fitted experienced trampolinists will take their chances and make sure they bounce right off the trampoline onto the grass.

c. Colliding with another bouncer. Multiple use needs to be sensible use, collisions can happen if the trampoline is misused. It is tempting for more than one user to use the bigger Trampolines, although we recommend one user at a time for a safe ecperience two users can bounce safely on a large enough Trampoline providing they are of a similar size and weight.

d. Landing badly on the trampoline bed. This is sadly a major cause of trampoline injuries most of which are avoidable. As part of your research into what trampoline to buy consider the suspension system and what sort of a landing your children will experience especially if one of their moves doesn't quite work out. Will they come up smiling or will it be a trip to A & E? Make sure they always have a soft landing. Many lower cost trampolines have small tightly wound springs that give a very hard unyielding bounce. Some trampolines have fabric and rubber stretch bands instead of springs. These also give a hard, unyielding bounce. On a 12 foot or bigger trampoline that is likely to be used by teenagers and adults make sure it is fitted with springs that are over 150mm or 7 inches or preferably 200mm or 8 inches long unstretched. These will deliver a softer, safer and more enjoyable bounce. Once you have bought your trampoline it is extremely important to read the instructions and obey the rules. Discourage multiple use. Statistics show that where accidents occur when more than one person is bouncing it is the smallest bouncer who is 5 times more likely to be the one that is injured. Bounce in the middle of the bed. Plan your moves. Do not make split second or last minute decisions about your next move. If you want to do new moves learn from a qualified trampoline coach.

e. Preventing under trampoline access. This is an obvious one to consider with the mix of larger trampolines, bigger bouncers and toddlers or pets. Consider buying and fitting a trampoline undernet. They are not expensive and could prevent a nasty accident.

f. Flying trampolines. For numerous examples set your Google alert to 'Trampoline' and read all about what can happen when the wind whisks your trampoline away. This is far more likely to happen if you have fitted a safety netting enclosure. They do tend to catch the wind. If you buy a trampoline and enclosure consider purchasing a tie down kit. Funnily enough trampolines that take off are usually easily repaired. It is the damage they do to objects and the people they hit that is cause for concern.

Do I need a level garden? Ideally, yes! but there are options if your garden has a slight slope. Your trampoline needs to be dead level so be prepared to either do a bit of turf removal and earth moving or to dig two mini trenches for the leg bases on the higher ground and to block up the lower leg bases. The mini trenches are vital otherwise your trampoline will slip down the slope and fall off the riser blocks.

How long should my trampoline last? Most makes of trampoline have some form of guarantee. Some sound very generous with “Lifetime” guarantees but on closer reading you will find that none are unconditional. Over 25 years of supplying garden trampolines our experience has shown that whilst the object you are buying is a trampoline the benefit that you are investing in is probably about 10 years of family fun and healthy exercise. We also know from customer feed back that the garden trampoline is ''the best thing we have ever bought for the children'', that they never tire of using it and that as the centre of social activity in the garden it never rests. In short: Your trampoline is going to take a fair old hammering for many years to come. Will it last the course? A good quality trampoline frame will last for many years but other parts such as the trampoline springs, frame pads, the bed (or jumping mat) and the working parts of a safety enclosure are all subject to wear and tear so do ask the question of your retailer "If I need replacement parts for it can I get them easily?" On this basis you need to know that the trampoline you buy is well made and the supplier is well equipped to give good after sales service and support for years to come.

Will I be getting good value for money? This is something we all seek. The internet makes it easier to compare product and buy at the best price you can find. I suspect that if you just wanted to buy the cheapest trampoline that you would have not read this far.

The above pointers should have given you a good idea of the features and specifications that you are looking for. I suggest that you create a list and keep it to hand as you compare prices and products. Be aware of what some sites gloss over or do not tell you. Look out for hidden delivery costs. Be wary of the freebies that might be offered with the trampoline. Do you really want a free trampoline tent when the fitted safety enclosure would have to be removed in order to fit the tent? Most weather covers are really awkward or impossible to fit if the trampoline has an enclosure on it. On the other hand a free trampoline ladder or tie down kit is going to be a worth while addition. Can you buy spare parts on-line for that particular model?

Desirable features to look for: Make sure that the trampoline leg assemblies have some form of catch or friction mechanism that will prevent them from falling off when the trampoline is moved. The padding that covers the frame and springs (frame pads) should enclose closed cell foam at least 15mm thick and the covering fabric should have a minimum weight of 500 grammes per square metre, if an enclosure net is attached to the trampoline, otherwise at least 25mm closed cell foam should used. The trampoline frame pads have a serious job of work to do in keeping your children safe, and this is an area where many manufacturers try to cut costs. Our optimum configuration for a 12 foot trampoline is 80 x 215mm (8.5 inch) springs, while on a 14 footer look for 96 x 215mm (8.5 inch) springs.

I leave you with the thought that if your trampoline is used on average for 15 minutes a day and believe me that is not a lot, for the next 10 years a £500.00 trampoline will have delivered each healthy, fun filled session of bouncing for just 14p. Now that's what I call value for money.