Can You Use A Rebounder Upstairs? (Answers And Fixes)
I am one of those kids that grew up with a trampoline in the backyard. So naturally, once I grew up and got my own place, I thought of getting a trampoline of my own. But sadly, as I was living in a New York apartment, this was not exactly an option for me.
So, I decided to get a mini trampoline. I might not be able to fly, but I might as well get some exercise done. Or at least that was my thought when I decided to buy a new rebounder for my apartment.
Sadly, there was another issue here that I overlooked.
Since I lived on the third floor, people living right below my apartment complained every time I brought out my mini trampoline. And to be fair, I couldn’t really blame them. But I was not about to give up my trampoline just because of this issue. I wanted to figure out a middle ground that kept my neighbors happy.
In the end, I managed to come up with a solution. I went out and bought a gym mat, and ever since, the noise complaints from my neighbor have become non-existent.
The point is – you can use a rebounder upstairs if you take some necessary precautions. If you live upstairs and are in a similar predicament, then let me give you a couple of solutions to your problem.
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Is a Mini Trampoline Loud in an Apartment?
A mini trampoline is not necessarily that loud. Sure, it makes a bit of noise now and then because of you jumping on it, but it does not get to an uncomfortable level as long as you are in the same apartment.
However, the sound that it produces travels through the floor, and if someone is living below your apartment, they will be extremely annoyed. The squeaky and bumpy sound that you hear from your trampoline will be amplified quite a bit as it reaches the floor right below you.
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Why Do Rebounders Make Noise?
Before I get to what you can do to make your rebounder quieter, it is worth discussing why it is loud in the first place. It might seem obvious, but once you dig deeper into it, you will have a better understanding of how to tackle it.
There are different types of noises, but in this case, you need to know about only two of them; impact noise and airborne noise.
Airborne noise occurs because of sound vibrations traveling through the air. The sound coming out of your TV is a good example of airborne noise. Impact noise, on the other hand, happens when something hits a specific surface. Examples include walking on the floor, moving objects, or jumping on a trampoline.
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While a rebounder produces both impact and airborne noises, the noise that concerns you is its impact noise. That is the sound that vibrates through the floor and reaches downstairs. And in most cases, this is the noise that annoys your neighbors any time you bring out your mini trampoline.
The main trick to reducing impact noise is to put something between the source and location where you want to reduce the noise. So, if your rebounder is causing noise downstairs, putting something under your rebounder is a pretty effective way of dampening the sound.
Can You Use a Trampoline in an Apartment?
If you live in an apartment, no matter how large it is, there is a good chance you won’t be able to fit a full-sized trampoline in it. Even if you go with a small 8-foot trampoline, getting it set up can be extremely difficult in the cramped space of an apartment. It is not very safe either with all the furniture in the way.
But thankfully, a rebounder or a mini trampoline is a perfect alternative to a trampoline in an apartment. This is a small, low-profile exercise tool that will give you the full benefit of jumping on a trampoline. Sure, it will not let you bounce that high. But the cardiovascular benefits are all there.
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Can You Use a Mini Trampoline Upstairs?
The only real drawback of a mini trampoline is that it makes quite a bit of ruckus. If you live on the second or third floor and want to use your rebounder, you are likely to hear a lot of complaints from the neighbors. And to be fair, the sound does get amplified through the floor, so you can’t really blame them.
The good news is there are ways to dampen the sound. You might not be able to eliminate it entirely. But you can lower the noise to the extent that it will not bother anyone.
If you are renting a house with a friend, however, you might not have to worry about it too much. Just give him a heads-up that you will be using your trampoline, and he should be happy to accommodate you from time to time.
What Do You Put Under a Mini Trampoline?
To reduce the noise that reaches your downstairs neighbors, you need to place something underneath the trampoline when you are jumping on it. Let me talk a bit about some of the popular things that people often put under their rebounders to reduce the noise coming out of them.
1. Rugs and Blankets
If you have a thick rug or blanket lying around the house, you can put it to use here. The thicker the blanket, the more noise it should dampen. So if you can place a nice, thick blanket or rag under your rebounder, that should reduce a lot of the noise that it makes.
Keep in mind, though, if the blanket is not firm and stable when you are using the rebounder, it can be quite unsafe. When choosing your blanket, make sure you are going with one that does not wiggle or skid when you are using the rebounder to get some exercise done.
2. Gym Mats
If you have ever gone to the gym, you should already know about the mats that I am talking about. Gym mats are designed to be firm and stable when someone is working out over them. And if you can get one for your rebounder, it will dampen most of the noise coming out of it.
Gym mats are also fairly thick, but the best part about them is their durability. These mats can take a lot of beating, so yours should last you quite a while. They are also pretty affordable, so while you may have to buy one out of your pocket, it will not cost you too much.
3. Rebounder Mats
You can also go with mats that are specifically designed for rebounders. Mini trampolines have been around for quite some time, and the issue that you are facing with noise complaints is also pretty common. To eliminate the problem, trampoline manufacturers have come up with this solution.
Rebounder mats cost a bit more than gym mats though they work pretty much the same way. Personally, I have never had issues with using gym mats. Whether you go with rebounder mats or a basic gym mat is entirely up to you.
Can You Use a Rebounder on a Carpet?
Another thing that you can put under your rebounder to dampen sound is carpet. And it seems like the perfect solution, right? Almost every house has carpets, and when you want to get some workout done on your mini trampoline, you can just use it to reduce the noise.
However, there is a good reason why I did not put it in the above section. While carpets might be a good material to absorb sound and vibrations, nobody likes to mess up their carpets. When you put a rebounder on your carpet, it can dig into the fabric and leave a ring on it.
The first couple of times will not be too big of a deal. But when you regularly use the rebounder on the carpet, it will dig into the material, eventually ruining it. That is why I would not recommend using your carpet as a mat to reduce your rebounder noise.
Mats, blankets, or rugs are almost always the better alternative when your sole purpose is to reduce the noise that reaches the lower floor.
Now That We’re Here
Using a rebounder upstairs is not impossible as long as you are willing to accommodate the needs of your neighbors. Just place a mat under it, and you should face fewer complaints. I understand how it might be a bit frustrating for you, but it is the least you can do.
As long as you are sensitive to the problems that your downstairs neighbor is facing, you should have no issues using your mini trampoline upstairs. Hopefully, my article could help you learn a thing or two about dampening noises from your rebounder so that you can use it upstairs. Good luck!
Hi, It’s Jason and Louise here and welcome to our website. We are parents to Hannah and Zachary who absolutely love the outdoors and are actually addicted to jumping on their trampoline. Our amazing little family lives on a beautiful 20-hectare rural property with Horses, Dogs, Cats, Chooks, a Rooster, Cats and also a Pet Kangaroo.