All About the Trampoline

The trampoline has become very popular over the last few years, with many sizes and formats available for home use. From the very smallest rebounder on up to the large, enclosed 14- or 15-foot trampolines for the backyard, children and adults everywhere are discovering the joys of jumping.

A Little History Lesson

Walrus skins were perhaps the first material used to make a trampoline, and believe it or not, the Alaskan Eskimos are thought to be the ones who created the trampoline. This was a very primitive example of a trampoline, but nonetheless it indicates that bouncing and jumping on a trampoline-like surface has been around for many years.

During World War II, the US Navy used the trampoline in its training programs for pilots and navigators. And after the war, when the Space program developed, the trampoline again came into play in the training of astronauts, both in the US and the Soviet Union. By using the trampoline, the astronauts could experience body positions they would find a reality in flight.

The name “trampoline” comes from a circus artist, Du Trampoline, who developed it as a trapeze safety net and then discovered other propulsion movements could be done using it. Later, in the 1930s, a man named George Nissen created his own trampoline in his garage; he was a gymnast and used it to improve his tumbling and diving performance.


Trampoline Fitness

Phys Ed teachers quickly saw the fitness benefits that a trampoline provides. While there are dangers associated with trampolining, fitness experts soon realized that almost anyone could use the trampoline to do something aerobically efficient, fun, and revitalizing, making it useful for the very young all the way up to the very old.

Some of the benefits you get from using a trampoline also include an increased sense of coordination, balance, and posture; improved height and depth perception; a greater sense of spatial awareness; improved muscle tone, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. One unique benefit is a stimulating effect on one’s internal organs, aiding in digestion, and cleansing the entire lymphatic system.

Trampoline Safety



While using a trampoline is a healthy, very enjoyable activity, there are safety precautions that must be taken to insure that no serious injuries occur. Children should never be allowed to use a trampoline unsupervised, and there should be only one child jumping at a time to prevent kids colliding with each other. Make sure that if you do purchase your own trampoline, you buy it from a reputable dealer – a cheap trampoline is asking for trouble. It won’t last, and it can cause serious injuries if springs or other parts on it break. However, if you follow good safety rules, a trampoline can bring your family hours of fun and fitness!