Spring vs Springfree Trampolines

There are two basic types of trampoline design that are on the market today: spring-based trampolines and spring-free trampolines.

Both options can provide safety nets, padding, and other features that enhance the user experience for owners.

What a spring-free trampoline does is eliminate the impact areas on the trampoline where 90% of all product-related injuries occur. Many brands offer a spring-free design option, but one of the best is the brand “Springfree”.

You may pay more for a spring-free design, but in return, you’ll discover these additional benefits with your new trampoline.

1. Composite Rods

Instead of using springs that can pinch a jumper create some other form of injury, the spring-free design utilizes composite rods that are placed beneath the actual jumping surface. That puts the rebound mechanism out of the path of contact for the jumper, which reduces product-related injuries. There are significant reductions in lacerations, head injuries, and bone fractures because of the hidden frame design, eliminating the risk of coming into contact with a sharp part.

2. Shock-Absorbent Mats

Spring-based trampolines use pads to cover the springs in an attempt to reduce product-based injuries. Cheaper models may not even bother to offer padding, exposing the frame and springs. Spring-free trampolines tend to use matting instead of pads, which adds another level of shock absorbing power to the user experience. SoftEdge technologies by Springfree Trampolines is rated to be 30 times more effective than the traditional trampoline pad.

3. Flexible Netting

The netting on a safety enclosure is designed to help break the fall of a user but really isn’t designed to withstand an impact. The goal is to prevent jumping outside of the trampoline frame at full force, but that means an injury may still occur. Springfree Trampolines offers FlexiNet technology that uses flexible net rods that catch a jumper and prevents them from falling. Traditional enclosures tend to use rigid poles, which may be wooden or steel, which causes the user to fall back onto the trampoline surface instead.

It is important to recognize that a trampoline is a piece of sports equipment and should be treated as such. No matter what type of trampoline you own, there is the potential for an injury to occur. Academic Emergency Medicine published a study in 2007 which showed trampoline-based injuries more than doubled in 2000-2005 from 1990-1995 and those figures continue to rise.

To further reduce injuries when using a trampoline, it is important to place your new equipment away from trees, landscaping, rocks, and other natural obstacles that could cause an injury if a user should come into contact with them.

Because trampolines cause a person to jump higher than normal, the downward force of impact on the product can still cause an impact injury. Sprained ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows are quite common on both spring and spring-free trampolines.

Spring-based trampolines tend to be more affordable. Spring-free trampolines reduce injury risks.  Choose the one that makes the most sense for you today and you’ll have plenty of backyard fun to enjoy.