Home trampolines?

cheer mom with a question · Member

Home trampolines?

CheerTaxi · Veteran Member

I have to say that I am not a fan of the home trampolines. I had one of the round ones with the enclosure when they first came out. There are a few things you should know, first most homeowner's insurance companies will not insure you or significantly raise your rates if you have one and they find out about it do to the liability risk involved and second, there is a HUGE liability risk involved! You realize that if one of your children's friends comes over and gets on it and ends up with a severe injury (broken limb, paralysis, or worse death) because they landed wrong that you are completely responsible and in severe cases can lose your home because of it! I just don't think they are worth the hassle and stress.

I suggest you continue to keep her using it in the gym where it is supervised and there is only one person on it at a time (that is where a lot of injuries occur is when they have more than one person on it and they are all jumping around and land on each other or land wrong trying to avoid each other).

Just my thoughts. I know a lot of people have them and like them, but just be fully aware of the responsibility that comes along with it and deside if it is worth the risk.

OC Mom · GURU

Oh you guys are gonna love this one then... I hated them and didn't want Em on one but then this.... well, with responsibility, they should be ok. But you have to set rules from day one!!!

Em's friend has 3 sisters, all cheerleaders. Her parents didn't have the room to put the trampoline in the yard with all the pool and bbq stuff. so look what they did instead. They took out the livingroom furniture that they never used and the kids use this every day!!!! The ceilings are very very high and they've never even come close to hitting anything. We thought they were nuts till we came over for the holidays. The kids were busy between this and the pool for HOURS....

-- Edited by OC Mom at 19:42, 2007-02-02

cheer mom with a question · Member

OC Mom,

Wow, that's impressive -- cheer does kind of take over your life, doesn't it?

Do you know what make/model the trampoline is and where they got it?

Thanks!

OC Mom · GURU

http://www.1800trampoline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=822

I found this. I called them but they are out to dinner and will call me when they get home. But the one on the link looks exactly like the one they have.

cheerwatcher · GURU

OH MY! That is hilarious, I've heard people joking about it but I never thought anyone would ACTUALLY do it! Good for them! Im sure they love it!!

AbbyByTheBay · Senior Member

Oh, that really is hilarious! But it makes sense; I mean people have pool tables in the middle of their rooms, why not a trampoline? I have to say my daughter loves ours (we have a rectangular one with an enclosure). New they can be quite expensive, you might try finding one used but in good shape, otherwise figure on paying over $1000 easily. For us it was worth it, it has helped her tremendously in her tumbling and flying.

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

I love it! My daughter is now trying to figure out how we could fit one in our house. Of course, we'd have to raise the ceiling, but since her dad is in construction, that should be no trouble, right? I mean, just because our second bathroom has been gutted since we moved in (ahem...7 years ago) and our hallway has the lovely look of sheetrock and mud...none of those things should be an indicator that raising the ceiling might not be plausible.

cheergirl622 · GURU

awww that looks so funnn .. kinda pricey though

ACEDAD · GURU

Tamara wrote:

I love it! My daughter is now trying to figure out how we could fit one in our house. Of course, we'd have to raise the ceiling, but since her dad is in construction, that should be no trouble, right? I mean, just because our second bathroom has been gutted since we moved in (ahem...7 years ago) and our hallway has the lovely look of sheetrock and mud...none of those things should be an indicator that raising the ceiling might not be plausible.

Instead of raising the ceiling, just install the trampoline in the floor!

OC Mom · GURU

OMG, could you imagine trying to explain that when you sell the house? (laughing)

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

ACEDAD wrote:

Instead of raising the ceiling, just install the trampoline in the floor!

Unfortunately, that would still involve construction, so I still don't see how it would work. Although, now that I think about it, the one room that we added still just has the plywood flooring - it shouldn't be too hard to remove.

CSE MOM · Senior Member

Here are a couple reasons why trampolines scare me.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kEh9OVsPgE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrrpbpqFxdA

-- Edited by CSE MOM at 07:54, 2007-02-03

-- Edited by CSE MOM at 08:01, 2007-02-03

AbbyByTheBay · Senior Member

Thanks for the links ... I'll be sure to put that caution sign in our yard.

Yeah, they can definitely be dangerous. Two things will solve most (not all) potential problems -- an enclosure (a must!) and no more than one on it at any time. It's one of those "use responsibly" items. For us it was one of the best things we ever bought as far as getting our money's worth, but your mileage may vary.

OC Mom · GURU

Yea, I just tell the kids to use their imagination. Then I go in to graphic detail of breaking their leg, going to the hospital, going to practice in the cast, watching their team compete from the front, etc.... it sinks in.

They love to take pics like the ones above, both in the picture, but I know for a fact that they practice and play one at a time. How do I know? They're IN THE HOUSE!!! hehehehehehe All I hear is "hurrrryyyy upppppppp. ITS MY TURN!!!"

Yea, now Em says she likes skateboarding.... could she PLEASE pick more sports that will BREAK something??? Please?????

-- Edited by OC Mom at 09:37, 2007-02-03

Cheer4Life · Member

I actually got one for my daughter. If it wasn't for the trampoline and my persistance my daughter would have never got her back handspring. I sometimes get on it and TRY a back handspring a two.

I would say there are skills that should not be done on the trampoline. When you start getting into the layouts and fulls, the need to be done at the gym. I would say it;s okay for a back handspring and a backtuck. oh another thing though is make sure as a parent you know what is the proper technique first.

hyphytumbler · Newbie

I think home trampolines are one of the best things you can get to help a cheerleader get better at tumbling. And a trampoline isn't just good for learning the basics, say if you want your full really badly you can go out in the backyard ( or living room?) and try until you get it at your own pace. Rectangle ones I think are better too because I have seen springs pop off alot on cricle ones.

-- Edited by hyphytumbler at 21:58, 2007-02-03

Diva Coach Melissa · Senior Member

I think they are pretty dangerous. Trampolines tend to give kids a false sense of ability, and they will try skills they don't really "have". This is fine if they have someone qualified to coach and spot them, but in the backyard...yikes.

Also, because they are raised so high off the ground, there are a lot of injuries from falling OFF the trampoline onto the ground...I think I've probably seen more of those kinds of injuries from home trampolines than from the actual use of them. Some will mention the nets that they sell that now go around the trampoline...I've also seen injuries where kids went full-force into the net, mid-skill, and the ENTIRE trampoline, net and all, went over sideways. The nets also limit the potential air space for performing skills and I've seen video of kids getting a leg or a hand caught up in the net and falling in awkward positions and getting hurt.

For the parent/homeowner, they are also considered an "attractive nuisance" by insurance companies and other legal sources. If someone sneaks into your backyard, uses your trampoline while you are present or not, and gets injured, you better hope you have good homeowner's insurance. Also, if your insurance company finds out you have the trampoline, many will raise your rates through the roof, or cancel your policy altogether, just because the risk is so high.

I'd much rather see kids using safer, rectangular, in-ground trampolines at a local gym with qualified spotters and supervision. The cost of good rectangular trampoline for home use equals at least a year's worth of weekly open gyms with qualified spotters.

-- Edited by Diva Coach Melissa at 09:09, 2007-02-04

CheerTaxi · Veteran Member

Completely agree with you 100% Coach Melissa! Any of you that think the enclosure somehow makes them "safe" are just fooling yourselves. From what I have heard and seen, they just provide a false sense of security and the users of the trampoline will feel that they can do more things than they should because they feel safe from falling off. YOU ARE NOT SAFE FROM FALLING OFF!!! It can happen as Coach Melissa said. When you are bouncing around you do not have complete control over where you land and how you land and injuries will happen whether you are in the gym or at home.

Also, if you get one and don't tell your insurance and someone gets hurt and sues, your insurance may not cover it due to negligence on your part for not disclosing it to them. Then you are responsible and can lose your home and more. If you are still going to do it, the only other thing you can do is have any other users outside of your immediate household sign a waiver of responsibility like you have to sign at the gym.

I agree with her suggestion to put those dollars to better use with privates and open gym where there is at least some supervision and also someone to make sure they are learning proper technique.

AbbyByTheBay · Senior Member

Warnings are good. I think we all get the point, they most definitely can be dangerous, yes. No arguement there.

We have had ours for years, many of my daughter's friends have them, with no problems whatsoever. And the enclosure has been great for my daughter; she's not foolish, she knows what she can and can't do on it. If we didn't have the enclosure she would have lost her balance a few times and would have fallen off. It catches her when she loses her balance; it's not like she goes flying into the net.

I'm not saying these warnings shouldn't be taken seriously, don't get me wrong. You need to know what is dangerous and what isn't...know what your limits are. All I can say is that it has been great for us and I'm glad someone didn't talk us out of it. Your experience may differ.