A trampoline for exercise?

February 21, 2021 1:55 PM

I'm thinking of getting a trampoline so I can break up my sedentary workday with a little activity. Looking for testimonials or complaints from anyone who's got one. Wondering how easy it is on the joints. Do you recommend a particular brand? Thanks.
posted by gigondas to Health & Fitness (22 answers total)

Had one, when the kids were small: good fun. It took off one night, traveled 40 yd up a 1:10 slope, missed our caravan by 4ft and smashed into a tree terminally bending itself out of shape. Apparatus must be tethered to ground - sand bags won't answer.
Wife's nephew broke an incisor off in the skull of another lad while doubling up on another trampoline. Never allow more than one person on apparatus at time.
Own niece compounded their trampoline with a space hopper: sustained compound fracture to right arm returning to earth. Don't be imaginative with apparatus. Install safety net round apparatus.
Boss's neighbour's boy aged 12 jumped onto their trampoline from the roof of the garden shed and broke his neck impacting ground on the far side of the apparatus. Don't be daring with apparatus. Install safety net round apparatus.
Anecdotes all. Data: "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=trampoline+injury"
YMMV
posted by BobTheScientist at 3:01 PM on February 21, 2021 [5 favorites]

I actually took trampoline lessons as a child, but as an adult, I bought a rebounder and then got rid of it because it caused joint pain in my hips.
posted by FencingGal at 3:25 PM on February 21, 2021

If you live in the US, you might want to check your homeowners insurance. most policies don't cover them. You may want to consider why that is.
posted by jenkinsEar at 3:27 PM on February 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I don't have a trampoline, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has lots of info on trampolines: safety tips, injury statistics, recall notices, and more. For example, in 2014, CPSC reported that there were 104,691 emergency room-treated injuries associated with trampolines.

Also, before you accept any on-line testimonials on trampolines, you might want to check out this Federal Trade Commission's report on misleading reviews and deceptive endorsements for trampolines.
posted by kbar1 at 3:32 PM on February 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I don’t actually have advice, but to clarify, are you considering a large outdoor trampoline or an inside “fitness trampoline”?
posted by obfuscation at 3:52 PM on February 21, 2021 [6 favorites]

We've had a 12 foot one since our kids were small. A good heavy galvanised steel frame is worth having, and make sure the mat is rated for your weight. Ours is standing up well and getting regular use even after five years. Don't take risks with the acrobatics though. My kids have had lessons and can confidently do somersaults, although it still bothers me to watch. My neighbour's son-in-law had a severe spinal injury when he landed badly playing around on a trampoline at a children's party; he uses a wheelchair now. Trampolining accidents are surprisingly common. It's really good exercise though. My kids have legs like trees.
posted by pipeski at 3:53 PM on February 21, 2021

When you take out an umbrella insurance policy they ask you a bunch of questions to figure out how likely you are to get sued: are you a doctor, are you a journalist, do you operate a business out of your home, etc. The very first question they asked us is “do you have a trampoline on your property?”
posted by caek at 4:05 PM on February 21, 2021

Response by poster: To clarify, I'm talking about small indoor fitness things, like these. I guess these are also called "rebounders."
posted by gigondas at 4:07 PM on February 21, 2021 [4 favorites]

I have a rebounder with a handle and the handle attachment squeaks annoyingly with every bounce. I wish we had bought one without the handle. But it’s otherwise 100% our best pandemic purchase. I don’t really work out on it (although I probably should) but just bouncing to an upbeat song for a minute or two breaks up the monotony. And my daughter LOVES IT and bounces while watching TV.
posted by chocotaco at 4:27 PM on February 21, 2021

Response by poster: Chocotaco, can you recommend your brand? I'd rather not spend $$$, but I don't want to buy a piece of garbage.
posted by gigondas at 4:30 PM on February 21, 2021

I had one of the fitness ones for awhile and it was horrible on my ankles. But everyone is different...
posted by bookmammal at 4:33 PM on February 21, 2021

Ours is Sportplus. The reviews all complain it’s kind of a hassle to set up, and it was, but it seems perfectly sturdy 8 months on. The handle squeak is pretty annoying.
posted by chocotaco at 5:08 PM on February 21, 2021

We bought a 3.5-foot fitness one to help our overactive kid cope with lockdown. After I had ankle surgery, my doc recommended light bouncing on it to build up the muscles in my ankle. I still jump on it about 300 times a day. It's this one. I highly recommend it.
posted by goatdog at 5:08 PM on February 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I had one. I got it to facilitate cardio that would be easier on the feet and knees. What I didn't know is that in addition to bad joints, I have congenitally tight muscles in my legs. The bouncing was very bad for my leg muscles and I wound up in PT to undo the damage. But I was having fun until that happened. I'd still recommend them to other people, I would just be extremely assiduous about stretching.
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:27 PM on February 21, 2021

I don’t have a rebounder but after I broke my leg I got and stepped/ran on a Bosu and it’s been great, I still use it to finish up my steps at the end of the day if I haven’t hit my goal.
posted by warriorqueen at 5:30 PM on February 21, 2021

Response by poster: Thanks, chocotaco. And thanks, goatdog. How was assembly? I live alone. Would it be a nightmare for one?
posted by gigondas at 5:58 PM on February 21, 2021

I assembled it myself. Read the directions carefully! I had trouble until I realized that I don't actually know everything and should read the instructions first. It required a bit of hand strength, stretching the bands that hold the jumping surface in place.
posted by goatdog at 7:02 PM on February 21, 2021

We bought the JumpSport 350 as a pandemic purchase, and it's fantastic. Smooth, strong, feels incredibly sturdy, even for a relatively heavy adult. I recommend it. My husband, not super handy, assembled it with no problem. We ended up buying the handle but that's because my little kid jumps on it. I wouldn't have needed the handle myself.
posted by purpleclover at 8:13 PM on February 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I also have a Jumpsport 350 and recommend it highly. I lugged it up three flights of stairs and assembled it myself. It wasn't difficult to assemble at all. I didn't get the handle.

In terms of joints, it took me a week or two to get used to the new motion and my calves and ankles felt it for a few days. But I use it nearly every day, and I love it. It's great pandemic exercise - just get on it while I'm listening to PBS or the news. It's easier on my joints and better exercise than walking and it's not weather-dependent.

I do need to be careful that I don't jump too intensely, because I live above my neighbors, but it's also soundless and doesn't squeak or move.
posted by dancing_angel at 8:37 PM on February 21, 2021 [1 favorite]

I also have a JumpSport, which has bungees instead of springs. This makes it quieter and smoother than other types. It's a lot of fun to use. However, it does hurt my knees. In fact, jumping was how I first discovered that I am prone to joint pain (in my twenties). I can use it a little if I am very gentle and sort of step around on it rather than jump.
posted by Comet Bug at 9:10 PM on February 21, 2021

I got a mini-trampoline once and wound up giving it away because whenever I used it with any regularity I developed back pain. Also... I don't know the OP's gender or physical build, but when you're a well-endowed woman, bounding up and down on a mini-trampoline basically forces you to anchor yourself with both hands lest you wind up knocking yourself out.
posted by orange swan at 8:58 AM on February 22, 2021

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! If I go for it, I'll get a Jumpsport, as three MetaFilter recs can't be wrong!
posted by gigondas at 12:26 PM on February 22, 2021