Choosing-a-shape

Sweet Spot

â€‹I know that all trampolines have a sweet spot but how big is it. This sweet spot in the dead centerwhere all the springs are equal distant from each other can be bigger on bigger trampolines but can also sag more. So just having a bigger sweet spot doesnt mean there is a better jumping room. Antoher thing I had to learn the hard way. On round trampolines it is always in the dead center. On the square and octogon types,Â the fewer number of sides increases the size of the sweet spot but it still remains in the center of the bed. Rectangle types with springs along the long sides give give the bouncer most of the bounce while the secondary springs along the short sides keep the bed taught and provide support. We took the springs off the short sides to see what would happen and it was not a good bounce at all.Â Because the springs on the long sides are the primary â€œbounce generatorsâ€?,Â the sweet spot on rectangular tramps starts a short distance from an end and runs the length of bed.Â When bouncing on the better rectangular trampolines I notice the bounce becomes consistent with a few feet of an end. The best way I can put it is, better balance, control, and responsiveness, and smoothness of the bounce are all better on rectangular trampolines because the closer the bouncer is to its primary springs.Â

â€œGravitational Pullâ€?

When bouncing on the trampoline, many pepole ask me why they are alwasy being redirected back to the center when jumping around the perimeter of the mat. This â€œgravitational pullâ€? is both good and bad. I like to be slightly nudged away from the edge for safety. And most kids like it so they won't hear their mom nag them to stay away from the edge. Thats all I remember ever hearing as a kid, but not good if this nudge is severe enough to throw you off balance, or into another person. The main thing to ask before buying a trampoline like this is to know how far from the edge the trampoline begins to pull you you to the center. Again, this is another thing that I had to find out on my own since companies don't just volunteer this information. Why would they? It's already causing enough confusion already but it needs to be said and I need to be heard.

On cheaper trampolines the pull will start engaging closer away from the edge and will "encourage" the person away from the edge but with better trampolines it will encourage them to bounce a little closer to the edge without having the fear of a drastic change in uneven bouncing closer to the edge.

Different shapes and spring types affect the gravitational pull.Â Rectangular trampolines with long wide diameter springsÂ typically have a low G force pull that engages right around the edge of the mat near the springs. Shorter/narrower springs will start engaging more further in towards the center and will increase the harshness of the redirection.Â Square and octagon types start engaging several feet from the mat, and the harshness again depends largely on the width and length of the springs.Â Depending on the configuration of the corner springs, square trampolines may have significantly different bounces in the corners than along the edges.Â When bouncing on round trampolines most people notice the redirection shortly after leaving the center of the trampoline. This is especially a concern when there are multi bouncers as they will simultaneously be off balance with a general redirection into the center.

Round models with different diameters

Springs are going to make the most difference. The smaller the diameter of the frame the stronger it'll be for a given size of pipe. Smaller will also be more responsive as the bouncer is closer to the springs. But typically small round trampolines have smaller and fewer springs as well. So, it really just depends on the complete package you are getting. More space always equates to more safety.Â

Take one of the quizes below and get help you picking out the best shape for you needs.