Category Archives: Other Trampoline Information

Dec 29

A Guide to Water Trampolines

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by Jason Gluckman

The Rave Aqua Jump was the world’s first floating trampoline, made in the USA. The water trampoline was a precursor to a variety to towables and other inflatable trampolines.

Water trampolines have frames with springs that are supported on top of a large round inflatable tube. Water Trampolines can have a diameter as large as 25 feet as small as 11 feet. These full trampolines offer similar performance to that of a small backyard trampoline, but allow the activity to take place on the water. Trampolines take about an hour to set up and break down. They can then be anchored to remain in place on most lakes and ponds.

A trampoline floating on the water allows you to take big air jumps. An ideal water trampoline, with 100% PVC construction, should be able to withstand variation in temperature. A water trampoline comes with handles, a ladder and a padded collar for easier boarding and safe jumping. An anchor rope keeps the station in place while still letting it shift in the waves for added excitement.

Water trampolines are usually larger than ground trampolines. Besides the basic floating platform, you can attach various types of accessories like slides, ladders and logs.

There are smaller trampolines called “bouncers” that do not have frames or springs. They are easy to set up, as there are no frames to assemble or springs to stretch out. Bouncers can easily be stored in a boat and can be quickly inflated or deflated in less then 10 minutes. Bouncers are about 20% of the cost of a water trampoline.

Water trampolines range in price from $3,000 to $5,000.

Trampolines Info provides detailed information about mini, water, bungee, and exercise trampolines, as well as trampoline sales, repair, parts, and accessories. Trampolines Info is the sister site of Batting Cages Web.

Dec 16

The Trampoline – Incredible Health Benefits

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by Michael Russell

It’s obvious that trampolining is good general exercise but in this article, we’ll explore why it’s of such a benefit to our health.

Exercise for the Cells

Toxins or poisons can congregate in the cells of the body for a number of reasons. They may have been introduced by ourselves, by smoking for example, or they may have entered through a cut or other broken skin, or just by entering through the nose or mouth. Some toxins are produced in the body during the normal course of the metabolic process. Most are fought by the immune system and removed naturally through organs such as the liver, kidneys, lung colon and skin in the form of urine, faeces, exhalation and sweat.

It is thought though, that the G force exerted on the body by the bouncing motion on a trampoline, helps to “push out” the toxins and while the body is, briefly, airborne the lower cell pressure permits the influx of nutrients and oxygen thus improving cell “exercise”.

Bouncing for a Healthy Heart

Exercising on a trampoline has several benefits in terms of the body’s cardiovascular system:

1. Increases strength and fitness of the muscles, especially of the legs, helping to lighten the load on the heart when pumping blood around the body
2. Increases oxygen availability throughout the body
3. Maintains a healthy body weight and lessens the likelihood of obesity
4. Aids lymphatic circulation
5. Reduces level of cholesterol and triglycerides
6. Stimulates the metabolism and digestive processes.

Bones of Steel

Well, perhaps not quite, but it has been shown that this sort of high impact exercise, improves the bone mineral content and therefore the density thus lessening the likelihood of fractures due to osteoporosis. Unlike other forms of high impact exercise such as jogging, the bounciness of the trampoline mat absorbs the down force and won’t cause jarring of the load bearing joints or spine.

Motoring

Trampolining helps to develop motor skill because of the need to maintain both height and balance simultaneously while responding to gravitational forces. Thus, all sides of the body and brain are involved in the exercise.

You don’t need a large trampoline to be able to benefit in the above ways. A small, portable one, known as a rebounder, will do just as well.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Trampolines
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Dec 07

10 Steps to Safe Gymnastics

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10 Steps to Safe Gymnastics

by John Howard

Build Your Strength First

It is much safer and much easier to make build sufficient strength first to perform the skills you are trying to learn. If you are not strong enough, you will never be able to do many gymnastics skills no matter how many times you try. Building strength also makes you safer in potentially dangerous fall situations.

Pay Attention

You need to be aware of what is going on around you in the gym if there are other gymnasts, especially bigger ones, around. You need to be aware and pay attention to everything and everyone around you who might crash into you or land on you. You also need to pay careful attention to your coach so you understand exactly what they expect of you to learn efficiently and keep yourself safe.

Check Equipment First

Make sure all equipment is set and sturdy before you begin to perform any skills on it. Handles and cables need to be tight enough so the equipment is safe for you to be on. Don’t assume the equipment is correctly set and tight. Check it an make sure first.

Know Fall Zones

Don’t sit or stand in potential landing or fall zones. Too often gymnasts waiting for their turn do not stay enough out of the way of other gymnasts who need adequate room to dismount or a place to fall.

Don’t Do Gymnastics By Yourself

Just like swimming and other physical activities where there is even the remotest chance of injury, gymnasts should only work out when there is at least one other person around. This means on those home trampolines, too.

Don’t Spot Other Gymnasts

Spotting is an art and requires the knowledge, strength and experience of a gymnastics professional. Any error in judgement on your or their part could lead to you being involved and responsible for their potentially serious injury.

Only Let Professional Coaches Spot You

By the same token, you should only let qualified gymnastics professionals spot you on skills you cannot do and need help with. You risk potentially serious injury by being spotted or coached by someone who is not qualified, knowledgeable, experienced or strong enough.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for a Spot

Ask for a spot if you are doing tricks if you need or want it. You are the one most likely to know and remember if you need a spot or not and it will be too late if you attempt a skill you are not sure of and fall. Spotting can protect you and build your confidence in doing the skill until you are ready to do it on your own safely. Don’t tell a coach that you can do skills if you are not 100% sure you can do them safely.

Stop, Look And Listen

Just like crossing a street, when you approach an equipment area, the floor exercise mat, tumbling strips or other mats and pieces of equipment, you need to stop and look both ways before you cross or enter to make sure you are not in the way or going to get landed on.

Watch Where You are Going

Watch where you are walking. Nothing is more embarrassing and sometimes painful and dangerous than falling over mats, into pits, over bar cables, etc. There are lots of obstacles in every gym like different heights and softness levels of mats.

About the author:

John Howard is the author of 15 books about gymnastics, gym design, gymnastics humor and cheerleading. He has 25 years experience coaching State, Regional and National champion gymnasts and international competitors.

GymnasticsZone.com is a web site for gymnasts, coaches, parents with numerous FREE articles and information, fun pages and activities available at: a href=”http://www.gymnasticszone.com”> http://www.GymnasticsZone.com

Dec 04

An Introduction to the Trampoline

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by Jason Gluckman

The sport of trampolining reflects man’s age-old desire to defy gravity. The trampoline in its current form (a mat mounted on a steel frame) dates back to the early 1800, if newspaper reports are to be believed, when a circus in London displayed what it called the “trampoline jump.”

Since then, the word trampoline has been used to describe any elastic apparatus that includes jumping over obstacles or vertical jumps. Circuses have used a number of devices to show off aerial and floor somersault activity. George Nissen, the co-creator of the style of trampoline used in competitions, called his bouncing rig a Trampoline, and registered it as a trademark in 1936.

The modern trampoline has emerged in the last 50 years or so from the prototype apparatus built by George Nissen in his garage in 1936. Trampolines were soon introduced by the Air Force, and later by the space agencies to train their pilots and astronauts.

The most modern trampolines are capable of projecting an athlete up to 10 meters high and allowing him to perform triple somersaults with ease.

The sport spread to Europe in the 1950′s, and by 1960′s, many national federations were formed. In 1964, the International Trampoline Federation (FIT) was formed. Today, there are 42 member federations. The first FIT Handbook was introduced in 1983, and in 1987 the FIT News appeared, followed by the FIT Calendar in 1988.

Medical experts say jumping on trampoline is good for your health. Exercising on the trampoline lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that those who exercise at least three times a week have a higher bone mineral content.

Many athletes practice on a trampoline to enhance their motor skills and endurance, and to refine their aerial moves in a safe, controlled environment. Skiers, skaters, divers and gymnasts all use the trampoline extensively.

Trampolines Info provides detailed information about mini, water, bungee, and exercise trampolines, as well as trampoline sales, repair, parts, and accessories. Trampolines Info is the sister site of Batting Cages Web.

Nov 23

A Trampoline – Fun for All Ages

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by Michael Russell

In Spanish, el trampolin is a diving board. When George Nissen, one of the creators of what we now know as a trampoline, came across the word in the 1930s, he adopted it as a trademark.

Trampolines come in all shapes and sizes these days. Professional trampolines, such as those used in the Olympics, are constructed from a galvanised steel frame 10′W x 17′L x 45″H (305 x 520 x 115cm), attached to which, by powerful steel strings is a mat 7′W x 14′L (213 x 426cm) made from black polypropylene. This professional mat has slightly more bounce because of its increased porosity and reduced air resistance. Around the edge of the trampoline will be a padded area. Additional padded mats are available for increased safety. These usually have their own additional framework for support and are placed just over the edge of the trampoline, in case the bouncer falls towards the hard edge or is even in danger of falling from the trampoline.

Home trampolines are often circular or octagonal and come in many sizes ranging from 8′ to 16′ in diameter. Some have a cross woven into the fabric of the mat, indicating the centre point of the trampoline. This is a safety feature aimed at helping the bouncer to stay at the safest point of the trampoline – the middle.

Other safety features are available such as enclosures or nets to surround the trampoline. Some are free standing and some attach to the trampoline itself. All are designed to prevent the trampoliner falling and sustaining injury. This is particularly important if your trampoline will be sited on or near a hard surface, such as a patio or deck.

A cover is a good idea as it will keep your trampoline free from debris such as leaves and bird droppings. Not only will it be kept clean, but the danger of slipping on the mat will be minimised. An anchor kit will stop your trampoline moving around when in use and will keep in tied down in the event of strong winds, which can cause a great deal of damage to trampolines, despite their sturdy structures.

For small children, a trampoline ladder will help to avoid accidents when getting on and off the trampoline.

Trampolining is fun and great aerobic exercise for all age groups. It improves co-ordination, balance, rhythm and timing and is useful training for other sports such as skiing. In fact, it has so many health benefits that we will make it the subject of a separate article.

Nov 17

A Natural History Of Trampolines

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by Jeb Taylor

Walrus skins – It has been said that the first type of trampolining was done by the Eskimos who used to toss each other up into the air on a Walrus skin; something like the sheet used by firemen to catch people jumping out of the windows of houses which were on fire. In Anchorage Airport, Alaska, there are postcards depicting the Eskimos being tossed up in a Walrus skin.

There also is some evidence of people in England being tossed up into the air by a number of people holding a blanket. These may or may not be the true origins of the sport of trampolining but it is certain that in the early years of the 20th century there were stage acts which used a “bouncing bed” on the stage to amuse audiences. The bouncing bed was in reality a form of small trampoline covered by bedclothes on which the acrobats performed mostly comedy routines.

Trapeze artists

The trampoline itself, according to circus lore, was first developed by an artist called Du Trampolin who saw the possibility of using the trapeze safety net as a form of propulsion and landing device and experimented with different systems of suspension, eventually reducing the net to a practical size for separate performance.

In the early 1930s, one George Nissen made a trampoline in his garage and used it to help with his diving and tumbling activities. He then felt that he could entertain audiences and also let them participate in his demonstrations. Thus were the beginnings of a new sport.

World War 2

During World War 2, the United States Navy Flight School developed the use of the trampoline in its training of pilots and navigators, giving them concentrated practice in orientation such as had never been possible before. After the war, the development of the Space Flight programme again brought the trampoline into use to help train both American and Soviet Astronauts, giving them experience of variable body positions in flight.

The nature of the activity is natural, easy and rhythmical, and the power of the bed enables participants to have fun and excitement by jumping higher than they would normally be able and to perform many skills landing on the feet, seat, front and back and also to take off from those varied landing positions.

Jeb Taylor is a fitness guru. He works out on all exercise equipment he thinks will help him. Along with bikes and jogging, Jeb loves bouncing on a trampoline as a fun way to fitness.

Find out all you need to know about trampolines. How to use them for best exercise results, and which models to buy. Daily updated blog of news & articles. Click http://www.trampolines-101.com/

Nov 01

Trampoline Facts

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Who Else Knows These Facts About Trampolines?

by Paul Johnson II

“El trampolino” was the Mexican word for “diving board”, and one of the many words in common usage, which was once actually trademarked as “trampoline”.

The first gold medal awarded in Olympic trampoline competition, went to Irina Karavaeva, of Russia. The event, which took place at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, was witnessed by George Nissen, the 86 year-old inventor of the trampoline.

The famous picture taken in the late 50s, of inventor George Nissen on a trampoline with a “tame” kangaroo, was only accomplished by Nissen holding its front paws when they got on it, so the animal could not kick him.

The Gillingham Jumpers, a club based in Kent, England, is the largest known trampoline club in the world, with 1500 members bouncing around the Jumpers Rebound Centre, every week.

Trampolines have entered the arena of “extreme sports”, with some centers offering a combination of bungee jumping and trampoline jumping, where participants wear a harness attached to bungee cord rigging, that allows them to bounce extra high off the trampoline, without the danger of falling if they lose their balance.

The 2005 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, includes a category for the longest slam-dunk of a basketball from a player bouncing on a trampoline.

Judy Wills Cline became the first World Champion on the trampoline, in 1964. Cline held a total of ten world titles in trampoline, synchronized trampoline, and tumbling. The first men’s World Champion, also crowned in 1964, was Dan Millman, who is a noted personal growth author and speaker.

In 1986, a six-man team from the Delta Epsilon fraternity at Cleveland State University, set a Guinness World Book Record for 53 days of continuous bouncing on a trampoline. They received a phone call of congratulations from frater Ronald Reagan.

Discover valuable advice and information about trampolines – which model to choose, what you should look for and what you should avoid. Click http://www.trampolines-info.com/

Oct 17

What’s The Best Way To Care For Your Trampoline?

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by Jeb Taylor

Your trampoline can be an expensive item, so it’s important to properly care for it. Here’s some useful tips :

* Don’t Let Kids sit/stand or play with the frame pads. The pad is a preventive in case the kids land too close to the frame.

* Don’t use chemicals to clean your frame pads.

* Don’t tie your pads too tight. In case of strong winds, it can pull up the pads and therefore pull out the straps if tied too tightly.

* If you have an enclosure, lift up the skirt where the poles are or cut out of the skirt area at the pole. If the pole lies against the skirt, there will be too much strain on the pads and can cause the skirt seams to rip.

* Keep all animals away from the trampoline. There’s something about dogs and pads and are very appealing to dogs!

How can trampolining be safer?

If your child already uses a trampoline, you should follow these safety measures.

Location of the trampoline and safety features:

Clear the area around the trampoline of objects and do not set the trampoline near trees, fences, poles, or other playground equipment.

Set the trampoline where an energy-absorbing surface (for example, tall grass) surrounds it. Buy and use a frame pad that covers the entire area of the spring system. If possible, lower the height to ground level by putting the trampoline in a pit.

Before using the trampoline:

Set rules for trampoline use and discuss them often with your children. Tell your children about the risks of not using the tramp properly. Have your children remove any necklaces.

Using the trampoline:

Have someone properly train your child how to do flips and other complex stunts. Never allow more than one person to use the trampoline at the same time. Do not allow bouncing followed by jumping off of the trampoline. Have an adequate number of spotters around the edges of the trampoline.

Follow these tips and you’re trampoline will be great fun… and safe.

Jeb Taylor is a fitness guru. He works out on all exercise equipment he thinks will help him. Along with bikes and jogging, Jeb loves bouncing on a trampoline as a fun way to fitness.

Find out all you need to know about trampolines. How to use them for best exercise results, and which models to buy. Daily updated blog of news & articles. Click http://www.trampolines-101.com/