Want a trampoline with enclosure (merged threads)

Poppy9

How old are your children. If they are over 7 I wouldn't bother with an 8ft as it will be too small for them to do much more than bounce up and down.

We have a 10ft in our garden and DD (age 13) can do somersaults and cartwheels on it no problem. We bought ours in Argos about 3 years ago. While the trampoline itself is wearing well the straps on the blue cushion that covers the springs have long since gone and the drawstring no longer pulls so it fits snuggly. Friends with similar trampolines have the same problem. Argos did replace it once for us after 11 months of wear and we do have a cover for it to protect it when not in use. Note if you have an enclosure you cannot cover the trampoline.

lady_stardust

As a gymnastics/trampoline coach I would argue that enclosures are not really necessary - with a round trampoline the springs all work at the same rate (on a rectangular one they work at variable rates which gives you more spring but less predicitbility!) so the user is naturally diverted back towards the middle of the trampoline. You'd have to be pretty careless to fall off, and not having an enclosure does encourage children to be more responsible and keep within their limits.

Our neighbours who have an enclosure, their kids fling themselves all over the place. An injury is far more likely to occur actually on the trampoline rather than due to falling of it.

A cheap trampoline is good for a year or two to see how much your kids use it. If your kids really love their trampoline it is worth upgrading to a TP or Super Tramp one (£300-600) as the build quality is so much better and the weatherproofing is more thorough. Everything is replaceable on a Super Tramp model so the first ones they sold in the '80s are still going strong.

Poppy9

lady_stardust wrote: »

As a gymnastics/trampoline coach I would argue that enclosures are not really necessary -

glad you said that as a friend implied I was a bad parent for not buying an enclosure for DD trampoline.

The reason we didn't was because she had attended gymnastic lessons for over 5 years and was aware of her limitations. Also the 10ft trampoline reduces the chance of her falling off. (bet I've jinxed myself and she falls tonight now).

The biggest risk IMO is more than 1 person on the trampoline at the same time. OH goes mad when he sees DD and friends bouncing together.

johng_uk

I saw an 8ft trampoline instore @ Asda (Shrewsbury).

I'm not sure if it included an enclosure, and it was either £89.99 or £99.99. I was too busy looking for the cider to take it all in.

Sorry!!

lady_stardust

Poppy9 wrote: »

The biggest risk IMO is more than 1 person on the trampoline at the same time. OH goes mad when he sees DD and friends bouncing together.

Again with a round trampoline that isn't too dangerous as long as they are sensible about it. Certainly no more than two though. On my rectangular one it is hilarious fun but pretty dangerous so I only let adults do that! (laws of physics mean you can get propelled to massive heights)

sue34

can anyone tell me what they use to secure trampoline down
Trampoline Anchor Kit or would a railway sleeper just be as good?

Poppy9

sue34 wrote: »

can anyone tell me what they use to secure trampoline down
Trampoline Anchor Kit or would a railway sleeper just be as good?

I haven't secured mine. It's quite sturdy and makes it's own bed in my lawn! It's never blown over in high winds either.

vicshippers

You can get a dogs bollo*ks trampoline from HERE but they are about £299

At least they come with the tie down kit etc... I guess it's one of those things where you get what you pay for (ie if you only need it for a bit of a summer bounce then there's no need to pay more)!

youngmum_2

...unsure of size though. I've got 2 boys aged 6 and coming up for 3. What do you reckon? 12ft?

Also, am I better forking out for a good quality make like tp? If so, where's the best (and cheapest!) stockist of these?

Thanks in advance,

Lynne

Reluctant_spender

Have a look at this site - http://www.atlantictrampolines.co.uk/

I bought their 12 ft trampoline last year and it is fantastic - we had to buy 12ft otherwise I would not have been able to play on it with my daughter.

They look expensive but they have an ebay shop too and I saved £80 ths way. The customer service is very very good and delivery was very prompt.