round-types

The big question to ask yourself before buying a round trampoline is how big the sweet spot is. The round trampolines over the years has declined in sales. Everyone seems to want the octagon or rectangle trampolines lately. I still believe the round one should be everyone's first trampoline for many reasons.

When I look for a round trampoline and try to pick out one for someone, I found out the weight and how what kinda jumping they plan on doing with it. Some sweet spots are bigger but sag more (weaker spots that are weak in the center).

Depending on the size some will invert the bounce more to the center as gravity pulls everyone to the center on a round model unlike the rectangle ones. The high end ones that have high initial tension don't pull people to the center as much. This is wanted especially when more than one person is jumping as you don't want to always try to bounce away from the center. If someone is buying for multi users bouncing at the same time, tell me on my quiz so I know to pick out one that avoids more crashes of people into the center.

Picking out the right size:

8 foot models: I get the most complaints on thsi size. They have about 49 feet of bouncing area and a minimal sweet spot.

10 foot models: These have about 80 feet of bouncing room. This is what most people buy around the country. They seem to fit into most people's budget, especially for the first one.

12 inch ones, almost like the 10 foot ones but more sweet spot and this is when its easier for 2 people to jump on it but still not as much space as the nextsize up.

13 foot ones: these have about 130 feet of bouncing room. This is not too big that the mat is not responisive and you still get a decent amount of free bounces.

14 foot ones and above: rarely sold as they are very expensive. Most people that can spend this much usually end upgeting a rectangle one.

Note: the larger the springs the less the trampoline will create G force to throw you back to the center. Larger trampolines have a larger sweet spot. The bigger the sweet spot usually the more kids who are wild on the trampoline don't crash in to each other as much.

Round trampolines were the first trampolines I reviewed way before the rectangle ones. If you need help choosing a round trampoline size, this is my specialty. Round trampolines are the easiest to pick out for people. Take one of my trampoline quizzes below and I will do my best to help pick out the right type.

Take the Trampoline Quiz based on your needs

My favorite round trampolines have the deepest bounce with the least gravitational pull to the center. Factor in the weight of the bouncer and the size of the trampoline mat helps me determine the quality of the bounce. Some pull is ok but too much inversion is not. I also factor in the size and types of springs too.

I have picked the A.J. Landmark round trampoline as my favorite of all rounds. I like the 14 foot model as the bounce is not too firm or soft and gives the most free bounces of all in this size. It does not have that flat, bottom out feel with its 54 jumbo size springs. The 12 footer of Landmarks is cool and has the least pull to the center but doesn't have the deep bounce that just 2 more feet give. 99% of the people buying the rounds buy 14 footers.

People who at first only wanted to spend 500 dollars on a trampoline ask what the real difference is and feel its my job to convice them that an 800 dollar one is gonna be better. The springs on models closer to 800 bucks are not low carbon steal and won't lose their initial tension and stretch just like a cheap mini trampoline after a year. The mats won't fray and are stitched better with higher end materials. The weight is usually much heavier with US steal, not cheaper imported low carbon steal. You get more bounce with less energy as the springs are doing more of the works instead of the person. See my page on free bounces. If you cant find a way to try before you buy one, go to a sporting good store and try out one of the 50 dollar mini trampolines. That is the best way I can describe the feel.

The A.J landmark trampoline is my favorite for all the reasons I look for in a trampoline and it is made in the USA too. I either sells it for 800 or half price of the retail of 1000. See my review here.

14 Foot Round Trampoline Review

The most popular backyard size

What to avoid

Just know this stuff!

Things to avoid in round trampolines:

I do not promote the ones that bottom out and go stiff and unload all of its kinetic energy at once when the spring tension gives a huge ballistic impact once the spring cant stretch anymore. The stiff bounce is the biggest complaint I get. Unloading the G force gradually and spread out through the entire decelleration and a non-jolting acceleration is what makes the bounce good.

Sharp edges: I avoid models like this which the welds are sharp. The models with 4 to 8 pieces usually have stronger welds unlike the models that have so many pieces that have weak welds.

Springs must be high carbon in order to maintain the initial tension.

Holes should not b e drilled in but have the hooks welded into the frame. The cheap models have drilled in holes and get loud as the holes rust.

Must be heavy. A trampoline that vibrates with every bounce is so annoying, unless your a kid that it doesnt really make a difference as they aren't heavy.

Padding shoul be sunscreaned for UV.

Springs should be certified. Flaws make springs stretch prematurely. Weaknesses stop them from being certified.

Most of the flaws that cause the springs to stretch out and lose initial tension are invisable flaws.

People are misjudging how far I will go to expose companies that try to talk their cheaply made trampoline up and then amke it hard for people to return them. It will be the mistake of those who mislead those looking for a trampoline how dedicated I am to getting my message out. See my posts and videos on HealthyTrampolines.com to see how poorly made models will negatively impact their brand if they don't perform as promised.

Top 10 problem - Vibration free bounce. The models under 500 dollars get complaints about the whole frame vibrating. I do not promote rounds with more than 8 pieces for this main reason.

Spring rust: I am not against plated springgs although some promote them as non plated. Teh more plated the spring is against rust the less bounce but the longer the spring lasts... another reason why I think its a scam that some have a huge warranty on their springs because the spring never stretches due to the high initital tension it hasthat never is utilized. The less plated springs are very bounce and in my opinion is not fair to the consumer because they get a fun trampoline that works the first year then rusts. And this is not covered in the warranty. So what the $!#%@ is a 1 year warranty really worth. Just that. Then it costs money to replace them every year.

Mat problems: I hate wet mats. I need it to be able to be wiped down real quick. Non water repellant mats suck. One of the reaons that I chose A.J. landmark as my favorite round.

Another spring issue that I want to mention. I wont sell the 500 dollar trampolines that look pretty because they use cheap wire underneeth a shiny outer plating. They usually have a one year warranty on their spring and then after the warranty perioed is over the shiny wears away and the cheap spring is exposed. This is especailly for teenagers who use their trampoline hard and the initital tension goes away and parents call me up complaining that I sold them a bunk trampoline. I don't want this headache because I know what people are saying about them that they bought a year before I put my site up.

I try to avoid recommending the cheaper plated springs unless someone really can't afford over 500 dollars for a trampoline. The ones with the thick plating will make the spring last longer but but the bounce is much less and takes way more energy to get the same free bounces. The less plated ones are more bouncy but once the coating goes away and theres rust, it goes down from there. But then again, buying 100 springs at 70 cents each is not as much. The springs that cost 3.50 to 4.00 usually last about 5 years and give super control and not just paying for something that lasts long. Buying these up front you get performance and a more controllable bounce.

Tramps under 500.

Flimsy construction only really suitable for kids and just play and I think its fine to get a cheap one if its just for play and as long as adults won't be on it or teenagers. The frames aren't reinforced and gives a hard bounce for adults, usually has a cheaply woven non permatron mat. The springs are almost 99.9999% heat treated plated springs, not 100% pure stainless. For just play time, kids aren't looking for control and performance. They are more stiff but for lightweight kids they don't care and a cheap round trampoline is usually fine.

What I am doing now for those that want a trampoline under 500 dollars, I will give a demo, used price on my best round model that retails for $1000. It is the A.J. Landmark and this does not have cheap wire plated springs. It has 100% Usa steal springs and is made in the USA and has Permatron which is not found on any trampoline under 500 I have found on the net which absorbs zero moisture unlike canvas or nylon mats.

I will sell this for 50% off. It will be 500 dollars for the 14 foot A.J. Landmark. You can see it on www.ajlandmarktrampolines.com.

Look it over and compare it to the cheap trampoline you may have been looking at.

I am not discounting this but chipping in towards the cost if someone is willing to do me a favor and make any type of creative video such as the ones I did on HealthyTrampolines.com or JumpstiltsReviewed.com (you can see me on the videos too). Its the biggest rush running 30 miles per hour and jumping 9 feet up in the air. They make jumping stilts for kids. My nephews are 8 years old and they use them every day with their friends.

I would like to have people who come to my site do youtube videos with the trampolines I sell and in return I will subsidize the cost. I will do this with my rectangle trampolines I sell from (Canadatrampoline.ca and TrampMaster.com. If you are interested in this please call me from 8am to 930am in the morning Eastern.

Make contact if you want to do this for me.

...because they all said they have the best quality and bounce