New Zealand trampoline coach Angie Dougal says yes, price does matter:
"You can buy a trampoline for a couple of hundred bucks nowadays but the springs are only a few centimetres long. That's ridiculous. You get no bounce and the springs break when anyone over a certain size climbs aboard."
Angie's advice is to spend a little more money and buy a good-quality trampoline that your kids won't outgrow.
Quality components
Whether you're buying a new or second-hand, Victor Boyd from Apex Trampoline Mats can tell you what to go for in a traditional trampoline:
- Look for "V" shaped legs at each corner. Trampolines with four or more legs are more stable.
- Choose a trampoline with box-section steel frames or very heavy duty circular tubing frames. Try before you buy: make sure that the frame doesn't rock when you bounce.
- Look for spring lugs welded on to the frame rather than holes drilled into the frame. Lugs are easier on spring hooks. Holes drilled into the frame weaken it and leave it more susceptible to corrosion.
- Get a trampoline mat that's at least 3m long. Smaller trampolines have less room for error.
- Shop around. Compare warranties and weight restrictions on various trampolines within your price range. Will you be able to buy spare parts from the retailer in years to come?
- Make sure that your trampoline comes with safety pads. If these aren't included, new ones can be made (Apex charges $285 to make pads for a frame approximately 3.8m by 2.5m). The absence of pads should be reflected in the price.
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