Trampolines are great recreational equipment. They are a healthy activity for kids and adults with a long history of usefulness for various tasks. The various tricks and group entertainment often make these devices popular in neighborhoods. One of the keys to a good time jumping is the amount of bounce in the trampoline. As the trampoline gets older, some may wonder if the bounce deteriorates or gets better due to “breaking it in”.
Overall, as a trampoline ages, it tends to lose bounciness. Age is indeed a serious determinant of the bounciness of the trampolines. But just why is that the case? Read below to learn why trampolines lose bounce as they age and how it can be remedied.
Loss of Spring Elasticity
Loss of Spring ElasticitySprings do lose their elasticity with time. That is due to the fact that they can stretch and retract for a limited number of cycles. As the springs stretch for a prolonged duration of time, they tend to become less elastic and hence reduce the bounciness of the trampolines altogether. Additionally, if the weight limit of the trampoline is consistently exceeded, the springs will stretch past a point that allows them to maintain their elasticity. Ensuring that weight limits are heeded is a good way to prolong the lifespan of the springs.
Emergence of Corrosion
With time also, there is a high likelihood that the springs and other metallic parts of the trampoline will sustain corrosion. Corrosion has an adverse impact on the flexibility and elasticity of the springs. They diminish the capacity of the springs to stretch and retract at will. This also impacts the bounciness.
Fortunately, most good trampoline’s metal components (frame, springs, etc.) are made of galvanized steel of some sort. Galvanized steel does a very good job at repelling rust and maintaining the integrity of the components. While corrosion is a factor in reducing the bounce in trampolines, it isn’t something anyone needs to worry about for a long time.
Permanent Damages
Consistent and prolonged use may also pose permanent damages to the springs altogether. The most common occurrence of this is when the weight limit is exceeded on a regular basis. If and when this happens, the net effect is that the springs will be incapable of yielding the bounces that they are supposed to. The net effect is that the trampolines are not as bouncy as they ought to be.
Weaker Jumping Mats
Aside from the springs, the jumping mats are a primary component to maintaining a solid bounce. The jumping mats also tend to weaken with time. This also reduces their ability to deliver effective bounces. Thus, they have to be changed and replaced with time. Expect mat replacements to be needed every 2 – 5 years, depending on the quality of the materials.
Excess Weights
Excess WeightsMaterials tend to lose their elasticity when excess weights are exerted on them. When the trampolines are jumped on for too long, they tend to bear excess weights. This, in turn, compromises their elasticity and with it, the performance of the trampoline. A solution is to ensure that your trampoline can support the weight that is commonly using the trampoline. High-weight capacity trampolines (see our review of the Merax 14 FT trampoline) are available that can handle almost any weight.
Loosening of Joints
The joints that bind the various springs together firmly in place also tend to get loose with time. Each time you jump on the trampoline, some force is exerted on these joints, which tend to make them loose. When that goes on unabated, the end result might be that the items are not as bouncy as they ought to. Keeping an eye on the connectors and doing a regular maintenance schedule is a good way to ensure you will catch any loose joints. Furthermore, the initial trampoline setup can play a big part in ensuring your device is tightly connected for as long as possible (see Tips on How to Setup a Trampoline).
Wear and Tear
As with any other piece of equipment, the trampolines suffer the effects of wear and tear. Even if they are kept in the best environments possible, they will rust, become weak, and suffer metal fatigue. These have the combined impact of reducing the severity of the rebound. High-quality trampoline parts are more resistant to wear and tear effects. If you’re trying to walk the line between affordability and quality, there are plenty of cheap but good trampolines available, that are built to last much longer than their price point indicates.
Conclusion
Trampoline bounce is indeed impacted by the age of the device. As components get older, the parts begin to wear out, for various reasons, and the bounce of the trampoline is impacted. While it may not be noticeable, to a large degree, you can expect the performance to continue to deteriorate over time. Additionally, a loosening up period is inherent in some models and you may experience a slight improvement in the bounce immediately after purchase. But, overall, the bounce degrades as time passes.
It is possible for you to put in place some preventative measures to forestall this deterioration. You may opt to invest in a high-quality trampoline. Due to their longevity, they are often worth the additional cost. Then again, you might consider constant repairs and maintenance of the item altogether. Adopting this approach will maintain your equipment in the best shape and form. It is commonly recommended to perform a maintenance cycle every few months.
