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A Trampoline is an essential tool for training all aerial acrobatic athletes to include gymnasts. They support their training activities by providing the bounce height and smooth forces needed for them to learn complex aerial maneuvers.
For safety and performance reasons, there is an international standard for trampolines used in competitions. At the first world championships in 1964, and in 1965 trampolines with 6 by 12 food beds were used. Since the 7 by 14 bed was introduced at the 1966 World Trampoline Championships the size and shape of a competition trampoline has not changed. Safety Platforms started regular use in 1974. Trampoline bed power has been gradually improving. The last major change was 2009. Hopefully one day the frames will be allowed to get bigger to better match the heights now attainable.
Institutional Trampoline Sizes
Following the competitive history there are now only two common sizes for the sturdy rectangular trampolines which are used in institutional settings. The frames are about 3ft longer and wider than the beds to make room for roughly 3” of frame tubing and 15” for the springs all around. In the 50s and 60s Nissen Corporation promoted the use of 7ft by 13ft frames for primary schools but that size is no longer common.
9ft x 15ft frame
This size of trampoline is still commonly used in club settings. It generates a lot of bounce without excessive energy input. The 9ft x 15ft trampoline is suitable for all ages. The smaller footprint enables a club to generate more revenue per square foot. A Rebound 6 by 12 string bed has more air resistance and weight per square foot to generate similar power to Competition trampolines.
10ft x 17ft frame
This is the standard size of an Olympic size competition trampoline. Athletes benefit from the larger area. As this is the size used in competitions worldwide, this is the preferred size for competitive trampoline clubs. Athletes usually jump a bit higher on this size of trampoline as they feel safer with the larger target area.
Customized Fabrications
Rebound Products has pioneered the development of wider framed trampolines. The wider the frame the smoother the bounce. This include a 10ft by 15ft frame and a 11ft by 17 frame. Both utilize strong cords between the bed and springs plus wider frame pads to adapt to standard beds. In particular this makes the edges of the beds much safer. The 10ft by 15ft is designed to enable Club owners to keep the economical smaller footprint and lower cost beds yet retain the smooth bounce of a competition trampoline. The 11ft by 17 frame is particularly loved by the wall tramp professional show athletes as with a wall they go higher than you can without. Other customized trampoline sizes are feasible. Our staff provides consultations to design a specific trampoline in the shape and size that you need. Most companies will not make custom product. Please inquire about customized competition trampolines by contacting us at (905) 787-9090.
What is the Most Popular Gymnastic Club Trampoline Shape?
Trampolines come in various shapes, including square, oval, octagonal and round. However, the rectangular shape is the standard for competitions around the world. Read more about that in our other article.
Folding versus Non-folding frames
Folding frames can be more convenient. For some customers that is an essential feature. If you do not need to move your equipment often the non-folding frames win big time. Significantly stronger creating a more stable platform at a lower cost.
Different Competition Trampoline Beds
Originally trampolines were made with solid nylon woven beds. This was replaced by woven and sewn webbing to allow more air passage. Over time the webbing size has gone down from 44mm to the current 4mm competition standard while keeping the holes averaging 12mm. (25mm in competition in 1964) This resulted in improved performance but lower lifetime. String beds use a much tighter weave to avoid the sewing which tears the webbing. Rebound Products has spearheaded the development of comparably performing 2 string competition trampoline beds with vastly superior lifetimes. (More detail in the specific article.)
Similarly Rebound Products offers the same benefits in its string beds for mini-tramps, double mini tramps, powertracks, and 3 sizes of trampolines to include our unique 10ft by 20ft bed Super Tramp.