About Tramps

Identification

A trampoline might be a toy or it might be a tool, depending on the user's needs. Basically, a tramp is a mat connected with a series of springs to a sturdy frame. The mat is very bouncy, just right for sending yourself skyward. Jumping on a trampoline is a bit like jumping on a bed, only the bounce is much bigger.

There are many different types of trampoline. Some people like to bounce on a mini-tramp to get a cardio workout close to the ground; these small devices (less than 4 ft. in diameter) are easy to use and store in a small space. Larger trampolines offer the user a chance to do really big and dangerous things, like flips, as well as the less intimidating, but always popular, seat drop. If you set your trampoline in the ground, you might be able to limit the extent of trampoline-related injuries.

The trampoline concept reportedly came about in the 1930s when a gentleman by the name of George Nissen watched trapeze performers return to Earth by bouncing gently into a net near the ground. Nissen conceived of the idea of using a similar device to practice tumbling moves; he got started with a metal frame, a canvas tarp and a series of springs. Fans organized the first Trampoline World Championship in the 1960s.

There are many reasons that people choose to jump on a trampoline. For a beginner, the exercise can help to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Some athletes who perform in sports that send them airborne can practice their moves on the relatively safe and soft trampoline before transferring them to the ice or the pool. Figure skaters, divers and gymnasts fall into this category. Trampoline work is gaining legitimacy on its own merits; in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the trampoline was an exhibition sport.

Trampolines can be considered inherently dangerous toys as soon as you get on board. You can get tangled up in the springs climbing up or down from the tramp. You can miss your mark and fly off the tramp while bouncing. You can land awkwardly and damage a limb. Of course, some people make the apparatus even more dangerous by placing a diving board over it or scooting it close to a building--each of these moves lets the bouncer approach the tramp from a very high perspective.

Always supervise children on a trampoline. Use a spotter to help you stay on the mat when you're bouncing. If you're going extremely high, rig up a safety harness to prevent injury.