Are Trampolines Safe For Adults [Trampoline Safety 101]

Having a trampoline in the backyard means fun for the whole family. In the past, the house with the trampoline used to be known as the cool house on the block. Thankfully, in my childhood, we had a cool house with a trampoline.

But these days, many homeowners seem to think twice about getting a trampoline for safety reasons.

I’ll admit – there are a lot of trampoline-related accidents occurring each year. This can lead you to believe that it is not that safe, whether for yourself or your kids. But the truth is, that most accidents happen because of sheer oversight.

Trampoline is actually quite safe for adults and kids alike if you use it the right way. I see many people setting up their trampoline without nets and blaming the trampoline for hurting themselves. And frankly, being a trampoline fanatic myself, it bugs me quite a bit.

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So, that is what brings me here today. Here, I will talk about trampoline safety for adults and help you understand how you could avoid the potential risks that come from it.

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How Safe Are Trampolines for Adults?

Trampolines are generally pretty safe for adults as long as you do not push them too far. Whether it is safe or not mostly depends on how you use it. For example, if you put a trampoline on concrete and do not put on any safety nets around it, you cannot exactly call it safe, right?

That being said, if you stay within safety parameters, you should not have to worry about it too much. As an adult, if you practice a bit of caution, a trampoline is extremely fun and safe.

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When Can a Trampoline be Considered Unsafe for Adults?

While a trampoline is typically a safe yard toy, there are certain situations when it can be considered dangerous. Here are a couple of examples of times when you should avoid using your trampoline, even as an adult.

1. Pre-existing Injuries

If you have any pre-existing injuries, avoid jumping on your trampoline. The rebounding effect from a trampoline can aggravate any prior fractures or ligament injuries leading to increasing pain and discomfort. It is best to let your body heal fully before you decide to jump on your trampoline.

In addition, if you have spinal or heart conditions, I would recommend consulting your physician first before you get a trampoline. Trampoline pushes your cardiovascular system, and the increased heart rate it brings can pose a problem for people suffering from a heart condition.

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2. Weather Conditions

While jumping on a trampoline during rain may sound appealing, it is not a very practical decision. A wet trampoline gets slippery and can cause you to lose balance while you are jumping. This can result in awkward falls leading to serious injuries.

The same goes for winter. When it snows, it is better to avoid using the trampoline as it can cause the jumping mat to become extremely slippery. While there is nothing wrong with jumping on a wet trampoline, if safety is your prime concern, I would recommend avoiding it.

3. Exceeding Weight Limit

All trampolines have a weight limit depending on their size, the number of springs, and the length of springs. And when you are buying a trampoline, this is one of the many factors that you want to check. You should always make sure that the total weight of people jumping on the trampoline does not exceed that limit.

Going over the weight limit of a trampoline that can handle can lead to a lot of issues like warping the frame or even ripping the jumping mat. So if a trampoline is rated for 350 pounds of body weight, make sure you are staying well under that mark for a safe jumping experience.

4. Under the Influence

I think it should go without saying, but you do not want to use your trampoline if you are drunk or high. You want to keep a clear head when you climb onto your trampoline so that you land on your feet every time you jump. Most of the adult trampoline accidents I have heard about involve drinking one way or the other.

If you are inviting friends over for a day jumping on the trampoline, make sure to keep alcohol or beer far from the group. Trampoline and alcohol do not mix together and jumping on it while intoxicated is the quickest way to the hospital. I repeat, do not drink and jump.

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Tips to Prevent Trampoline Accidents

A fun day jumping on the trampoline in your backyard does not have to be risky. Yes, trampolines can lead to a lot of injuries. But if you are careful and take proper precautions, you can reduce the chance of that happening tenfold.

Let me give you a couple of quick safety tips that you should follow to minimize the risk of accidents related to the trampoline.

Proper Placement

About 90 percent of the accidents that occur from trampolines are due to improper placement. You should always set up the trampoline on a soft surface like backyard grass or soft dirt. I have a separate article about what to put under a trampoline that you can check out for more information on this.

The concrete or similar surface is not an ideal spot for your trampoline, even if you anchor it to the ground. If the person jumping on the trampoline falls off, he can easily break a couple of bones in his body. So, make sure you are putting your trampoline in a proper location.

Use Safety Nets

Most trampolines these days give you a safety net for free when you buy them. I advise you to use it any time you are planning to go for a jump. Safety nets are designed to catch you if you happen to slip or land awkwardly so that you stay within the bounds of the trampoline.

Without a safety net to catch you, you can fall to the ground if you slip, which can make it even more dangerous. A lot of risks can be avoided by using safety nets and pads to break your fall. Even if you put your trampoline on grass, the fall can hurt you. So, my first tip is to always use safety nets.

Use Weather Covers

If you leave your trampoline outside all the time, it is worth investing in a weather cover. While trampolines are pretty easy to assemble, having to take them apart every time it rains, or snows can get pretty old. But with a weather cover, you can leave your trampoline out in the rain without any worries.

Weather covers are designed to protect your trampoline against damage and keep water off the jumping mat. That way, the mat stays dry and does not get slippery, giving you a better balance and control when you are using it. Trampoline weather covers are also pretty affordable, so you should not have to spend too much on them.

Frequent Inspection

Trampolines are generally built to last. If you invest in a high-end trampoline, for instance, you should not have to worry about it breaking down on you any time soon. However, it still does not hurt to check up on it once in a while to make sure everything is as it should be.

While a trampoline requires minimal maintenance, you still want to look for cracks or dents in the frame from time to time. In addition, make sure you look at the springs and check for rust. If you find any issues with the springs, you can easily replace them to prevent major accidents.

While you are at it, also keep an eye out for any holes on the jumping mat. Some people claim that it is okay to jump on a trampoline with a small hole in it, but I believe it is a recipe for disaster. If you find a hole in your jumping mat, my advice would be to replace it right away.

Keep Below Weight Limit

I know I have already talked about it, but this demands reiteration. You do not want to exceed the weight limit of the trampoline under any circumstances. As a nice guy, you might be tempted to allow your mates to go on the trampoline, but this is really not a good idea.

Going over the weight limit not only damages your trampoline and affects its lifespan it also poses serious safety concerns. If the frame or the jumping mat gives out while it is in use, the person jumping on it at the time can get seriously injured. So, keep an eye out for the weight limit of your trampoline.

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Are Mini Trampolines Safe for Adults?

If you are still on the fence about buying a full-sized trampoline, then perhaps a mini trampoline will feel more to your liking. While it lacks the jumping capacity of a large trampoline, a mini trampoline is considered a much safer option. On the plus side, you can put it inside your house too.

A mini trampoline is strictly an exercise tool, however. It will help you do a variety of trampoline exercises right in your living room. But you will not be able to get a nice height with your jump. This also means that you do not need any safety nets or pads with a mini trampoline, as it is inherently not that risky to jump on it.

So, if you are worried about breaking your foot or ankle jumping on a full-sized trampoline but still want the benefit of exercising with a trampoline, a rebounder is a great option. It is not as risky but lets you get that balance, control, and flexibility that only a trampoline can provide.

That does not mean, however, that a large trampoline is unsafe. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid the risks that come with trampoline jumping. I have had a trampoline in my backyard for ages and never had to worry about any serious injuries because of it.

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Benefits of Trampoline Jumping for Adults

There are a lot of benefits that come from trampoline jumping. If you are still on the fence about getting one, maybe these benefits can give you the final nudge in the right direction.

1. Calorie Burn

Jumping on a trampoline is a great way to burn calories and lose weight. There are a lot of exercises that you can do with a trampoline that accelerate weight loss.

In fact, most physicians agree that trampoline jumping is a much better exercise compared to running.

2. Muscle and Bone Development

In addition to losing weight, you can also improve your muscle and bone with a trampoline. Jumping on the elastic surface of a trampoline helps improve pelvic floor muscles and joint strength. Sure, it will not help you get ripped, but it does keep you fit to a good extent.

3. Health Benefits

Jumping on a trampoline has many physical and mental benefits. Osteoporosis is a health condition that occurs due to weak bones. But if you regularly jump on a trampoline, it will reduce the chance of you contracting this condition. It also keeps your mind fresh.

4. Better Endurance and Control

It may not seem like it, but jumping on a trampoline can be pretty exhausting. Frequently using a trampoline will improve your stamina and also help you learn better control and coordination of your body. With 15 minutes of trampoline jumping, you will get the full benefit of running a mile.

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Safety First

Trampoline might not be the safest yard toy out there, but the dangers to this are often exaggerated. If you take proper steps to prevent accidents, you should not have to worry about your safety when jumping on a trampoline.

So, if you are planning to get a trampoline for yourself, just go for it. My safety tips should give you enough information to make it safe for yourself and your kids. Good luck!