By Timothy Dale | Updated Nov 2, 2020 9:30 AM

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Kids jump on a trampoline for backyard fun, while adults can use them as an exciting way to work out at home. When your body balances, moves, and jumps on a trampoline, you engage major muscle groups in your legs, arms, and core. For a more controlled trampoline workout, smaller fitness trampolines provide a place to step, bounce, and rebound.

The best trampoline for your needs depends on a number of factors, including how you plan to use it, the size and shape of the trampoline, its weight capacity, and the safety features most important for you and your family. Here, we’ve selected the top trampolines in each respective category based on product efficacy, durability, and overall value.

Trampolines come in five common types: round, rectangular, octagonal, fitness, and springless.

Round trampolines often are safer than rectangular trampolines; the natural pull and resistance of the springs in a round trampoline propels users back into the center. The most common and least expensive type of trampoline for backyard use, they come in a wide range of sizes. Round trampolines typically have safety netting and padding on the springs and frame to help keep users safe while they jump. While most round trampolines are better for kids and smaller adults, some premium trampolines offer a higher weight capacity for heavier children and adults.

The shape of a rectangular trampoline is not only different from that of a round trampoline, but it also provides a different kind of bounce. Amateur and professional athletes who use trampolines prefer the feel of a rectangular trampoline. This style typically costs more than either round or octagonal trampolines.

For smaller yards or to save space, a rectangular trampoline may be a good idea. The shape allows you to set up the trampoline in the corner of your yard while still maintaining a safe distance between the sides of the trampoline and a fence or other yard obstacles.

Since multiple people can bounce on the trampoline at the same time, these trampolines are ideal for large families or parties. An octagonal trampoline provides a bounce similar to that of a round trampoline, but it’s usually much larger and can accommodate more weight. However, smaller octagonal trampolines offer the ability to make tighter and higher jumps. They cost a bit more than a round version of a similar size.

Smaller and more portable than backyard trampolines, fitness trampolines also are called mini trampolines. This type of trampoline offers many ways to work out at home — even indoors! The small jumping surface lets users practice jumping without the risk of losing control of their motions. Use the trampoline for rebounding, an exercise routine that uses fitness trampolines to work out many of the major muscle groups. Fitness trampolines sometimes have a stabilization bar accessory that helps users maintain balance when they’re learning how to jump on a trampoline.

For a recreational trampoline, springless trampolines are the safest option available. However, as a relatively new adaptation, they’re less common. They also are typically more expensive than other types of trampolines with similar size dimensions. However, the flexible composite rods that replace the dangerous metal frame and springs of a more traditional trampoline allows families to bounce without worrying about catching a foot, leg, hand, arm, or any other body part in the cutting, pinching metal of regular trampoline springs.

Before choosing a trampoline for your home, think about how and where you plan to use the trampoline. Keep these factors in mind to help make a good purchase.

Trampolines can be used in a variety of sports and exercises and for just plain fun. Families enjoy trampoline basketball, gymnastics, rebounding, trampolining, and many more activities. So, when choosing a trampoline, consider how you plan to use it.

For the family, a fun backyard trampoline should have safety as its highest priority. Ensure the trampoline has proper padding and protection on the springs and frame, as well as a protective netting to keep jumpers inside the trampoline. If using a trampoline for exercising or for a sport, find a product designed specifically for that purpose, such as a fitness or rectangular trampoline, to ensure good results for your efforts.

Space is a big consideration to assess before you decide on a trampoline. To properly accommodate the average trampoline, make sure you have at least 24 feet of overhead clearance in the area where you intend to place it. Additionally, the area should have at least 2 to 6 feet of space around the perimeter of the trampoline. So, if someone manages to fall outside the safety netting, they will fall on open ground instead of objects.

Once you’ve measured the available room, select a trampoline in a size appropriate to your space considerations. Keep the trampoline’s shape in mind as you shop for the perfect trampoline.

The jumping surface area is the location where you plan to set up the trampoline. Grass and soil are the preferred surface for most trampolines, because they are better able to absorb the forces that jumpers transmit down through the springs and into the frame. Smaller fitness trampolines may work okay on hard surfaces, but no matter where you place your trampoline, it should be level to ensure that jumpers don’t get propelled off the trampoline. Also, make sure that the ground below the trampoline is kept clear, so jumpers don’t have to worry about injuring their feet or legs when the trampoline surface sinks into the space below.

The materials used to construct the trampoline should be strong and durable, and, ideally, they should have some water-resistant features. If the trampoline gets wet, you won’t have to worry about the frame or the springs rusting and becoming dangerous.

The fabric used for the trampoline surface is usually made of waterproof canvas or woven polypropylene, which also can resist UV rays and fading to keep it looking almost new and working effectively. Trampoline frames are typically made of galvanized or stainless steel, and the springs also are composed of galvanized or stainless steel. Springless trampolines use flexible composite (glass-reinforced plastic) rods. The netting is usually made of polyethylene.

A commonplace for setting up a trampoline is in the backyard, where it will almost certainly be exposed to rain, sun, wind, and possibly even snow. So, select a product that’s designed to withstand your local weather.

Safety features can include a weighted base that helps prevent the trampoline from blowing into your neighbor’s yard in high winds, naturally rust-resistant materials, such as galvanized steel or stainless steel, and a waterproof jumping surface like canvas or woven polypropylene. You also may want a cover for the trampoline to help protect it from the elements when not in use.

A trampoline’s weight capacity is a good indicator of whether it’s intended for kids or adults. Typically, if more than one child at a time or one average-size adult will use it, a trampoline should have a weight capacity of at least 200 pounds.

Larger trampolines may have weight capacities that exceed 1,000 pounds. However, for households that contain a combination of kids and adults who will use the trampoline, a weight capacity of 300 pounds or greater is appropriate. Before you purchase a trampoline, always refer to the product’s specific guidelines to find out its maximum weight limit.

One of consumers’ primary concerns when considering a trampoline is their reputation for being dangerous when not used properly and/or with appropriate adult supervision. To help reduce some of the safety risks, trampoline manufacturers have developed safety features, including the safety net, spring and frame padding, and an anchor system.

The top-rated products presented here were chosen for their quality, price, and customer satisfaction level to help consumers find the best trampoline for their needs.

Choose the Zupapa round trampoline in one of four sizes, 10, 12, 14, or 15 feet, for a great place to have fun and stay active. The trampoline’s maximum 425-pound weight limit allows several kids, a combination of kids and adults, or even two or three adults to use the bounce surface at one time.

The Zupapa trampoline has an enclosure net to keep jumpers from bouncing off the trampoline. The enclosure’s no-gap design ensures hands and feet won’t get caught in any gaps between the net and the bounce surface. The frame and springs are constructed from rust-resistant galvanized steel, and the bounce surface is made of UV-resistant polypropylene for long-lasting durability.

If you prefer the size and shape of a rectangular trampoline, this Skywalker 15-foot rectangular trampoline is a great option. The trampoline comes with an enclosure net that’s connected directly to the bounce surface to help protect jumpers from pinch points and openings that can hurt feet, hands, fingers, toes, and other body parts. With a maximum weight limit of 250 pounds, however, larger adults may not be able to use the trampoline, particularly if kids are also in the mix.

The springs and frame are made of rust-resistant stainless steel, and the trampoline has a polypropylene bounce surface that’s both UV- and fade-resistant. The spring padding, which is also fade-resistant, is constructed from vinyl-coated PVC to keep jumpers safe. This trampoline also includes a built-in basketball hoop, so the kids can enjoy a game while they bounce.

Rectangular, octagonal, and spring-free trampolines can quickly get expensive, but the traditional round styles, like this 12-foot model from Skywalker, often manage to be cost-effective. This affordable trampoline is an ideal option for kids, with a low weight limit of 200 pounds and an enclosure system supported by foam-padded poles for added stability and safety.

The trampoline also comes with a built-in basketball hoop that can break away if too much force is used, so the kids don’t damage the enclosure netting. This trampoline has a waterproof, fade-resistant polypropylene bounce surface and a stainless steel frame and springs with natural rust resistance.

Trampolines are an ideal place for children not only to get exercise, but to help them burn energy and have fun. This round Merax trampoline fits the bill perfectly. It comes with a built-in basketball hoop that’s mounted on an extra-thick-enclosure pole support for stability and net durability. The trampoline also has a four-step ladder to help smaller jumpers get on the bounce surface and an enclosure net with padded poles for additional safety.

The polypropylene bounce surface is waterproof, UV-resistant, and fade-resistant, and it’s woven tightly to the enclosure netting to protect jumpers from pinch points and gaps. For additional safety, the rust-resistant galvanized steel frame and springs are covered in padding, and the 375-pound maximum weight limit means multiple children can jump at one time without damaging the trampoline.

With this Giantex Trampoline’s 330-pound weight limit, adults can enjoy just as many health and entertainment benefits as their children. Choose one of six available sizes, including 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 16 feet to find a product that fits into your backyard properly with the recommended spacing on all sides for jumper safety. The round trampoline features a heavy-duty polypropylene bounce surface, and it comes with a four-step ladder to help jumpers climb on the trampoline.

The frame and springs are made of rust-resistant galvanized steel for increased durability and weather resistance, and the entire bounce surface is surrounded in an enclosure net for jumper safety. The enclosure net connects the bounce surface to the frame with spring padding to ensure no gaps exist that could lead to injury.

Instead of a full-size trampoline that crowds the entire area, you can get this foldable fitness trampoline from BCAN that’s only 38 inches in diameter. Remove the durable polypropylene bounce surface when it’s not in use, and fold the frame and store the trampoline almost anywhere. Use the fitness trampoline for a range of exercises, including surf twist, ski, knee pull, and many more to help achieve the level of fitness you want.

This fitness trampoline has a maximum weight limit of 300 pounds, and the frame is constructed of high-quality stainless steel. To help protect users as they exercise, the frame and springs are covered with a soft padding.

If you live in an area that receives a lot of rain or other bad weather conditions, this weather-resistant product from ORCC may work perfectly. Its galvanized steel frame and springs, which are resistant to rust, are covered with a thick foam padding for safety. The polypropylene bounce surface resists the elements, with waterproofing, UV-resistance, and fade-resistance for long-lasting durability.

With this round trampoline, you can choose from four size options: 10, 12, 14, or 15 feet. Wind stakes help prevent the trampoline from moving or blowing away, and a rain cover keeps it dry during storms. With a weight limit of 400 pounds, both kids and adults can use this trampoline. All of its users will appreciate the anti-slip ladder.

Before investing in a new trampoline, look at these frequently asked questions and their answers below.

Trampolines can be dangerous if they’re not used properly and with appropriate parental supervision; however, when correctly used, they’re safe for adults and kids over 6 years of age.

While a spring-free trampoline may cost a bit more, it may be worth the price because these trampolines are safer than regular trampolines. Their flexible composite rods replace the potentially dangerous springs.

Yes. Jumping on a trampoline helps you build muscle and lose fat in just about most parts of your body, including legs, arms, hips, and stomach.

Experts advise that only children who are 6 years of age or older should use a trampoline, and when they do, they should be under direct adult supervision.

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