We all know what trampolines are, but what exactly are they made of?
In a nutshell, trampolines are made up of three main components: trampoline mats, springs, and padding The mat is what you land on when doing flips or other acrobatics. It provides safety for your joints by absorbing some of the shocks from falling. Springs provide bounce to get you back in the air quickly after jumping off the mat. And finally, padding helps protect your skin while bouncing around on this fun activity.
That was the short version. Let’s talk about each of those components in more depth, shall we?
The Three Main Components Of a Trampoline
Here’s a breakdown of what the three components of a trampoline are, what they do, and why they are important.
1. Trampoline Mats
The mat is what you land on when doing flips or other acrobatics. It provides safety for your joints by absorbing some of the shocks from falling. Now that you know what trampoline mats do, the next question is, “What are they made of?”
Traditionally, outdoor tramps used cotton canvas material that was held together with metal springs. While these tramps were easy to maintain and recycle, they were not as durable as what we use today.
Most modern mats are made out of PVC foam and coated in vinyl to provide extra protection against UV rays. Some lower-end models may be composed entirely out of foam; while not as durable, these can still support jumping activities without any problem.
2. Springs
Springs provide bounce to get you back in the air quickly after jumping off the mat. They come in different shapes and sizes, but all have one common goal: to make your trampoline experience more enjoyable.
The type of spring used on a trampoline is important because it affects how bouncy the surface will be. Some springs are made from galvanized steel while others are constructed with carbon steel. The former is rust-resistant, so it will last longer outdoors; however, the latter has a higher bounce rate.
It’s also worth noting that not all springs are created equal. A good rule of thumb is to always buy trampoline replacement parts from the same manufacturer as your trampoline to ensure compatibility and to avoid any warranty issues.
3. Padding
Finally, padding helps protect your skin while bouncing around on this fun activity. It’s made of a variety of materials, but the most common is foam.
Padding can come in different thicknesses, depending on how much protection you want. The standard thickness for home trampolines is about half an inch, but some brands offer thicker or thinner pads as well.
One thing to keep in mind is that over time, the padding will wear down and need to be replaced periodically. Most manufacturers recommend replacing it every two years or so.
How Are Trampolines Made?
People who want to know what trampolines are made of often also want to know how they are made. If you do too, here’s a simple breakdown.
First, the trampoline mats are cut to size and shape. Then, the springs are attached to the mat using a variety of methods: welding, brazing, or soldering. Finally, the padding is added and secured in place.
The entire process takes anywhere from two to four hours, depending on the size and complexity of the trampoline.
As you can see, there’s a lot more that goes into making a trampoline than just attaching some springs and putting a piece of foam on top. So unless you’re a professional trampoline builder, you shouldn’t try to create one yourself. Otherwise, you are highly likely to end up spending not hours but days on building a trampoline that’s not even as good as the ones in the market.
Are Spring Free Trampolines Real?
Another question we often get from trampoline lovers is whether it is possible to make a trampoline without springs. Well, although it may surprise you, the answer is yes! Spring-free trampolines do exist and they are all the hype right now. So let’s discuss these fascinating products.
How Do Spring Free Trampolines Work?
As the name suggests, spring-free trampolines do not have any springs. They rely on a different system for bounce, which is often called a “pogo stick” effect. This occurs when you jump and the force of your jump is transferred to the frame and rebound surface, causing them to push against each other and create bounce.
The great thing about this design is that it can be used with any type of material for the frame or rebound surface — including elastic cords, bungee cords, or metal coils.
Are Spring Free Trampolines Safer?
Many people ask us whether spring-free trampolines are safer than regular models. The answer is a resounding yes!
Spring-free models are safer because springs can sometimes get broken or bent, and sharp pieces may come loose. Although this isn’t common and there’s no reason to worry about it unless your trampoline has been in use for a while, if the springs do happen to snap then these pieces could hurt someone nearby.
Spring-free designs, on the other hand, don’t have any of those risks because they rely on different materials that aren’t as prone to breaking under pressure as steel coils tend to be.
Are Spring Free Trampolines As Good As Traditional Trampolines?
Finally, what we often get asked is whether spring-free trampolines work just as well as traditional models. The answer to that question would be no since these two designs are fundamentally different and do not use the same bounce mechanics.
However, this isn’t a bad thing because it means they both excel in different areas. While traditional trampolines provide you with more rebound than any other type, spring-free ones don’t have the risk of dealing with broken springs or sharp pieces coming loose.
Wrapping Up
As we discussed thoroughly in this post, traditional trampolines are made of three main components: a trampoline mat, springs, and padding. Each component serves a vital purpose without which a trampoline can’t work.
