Mini Trampoline Disadvantages

If you feel that exercise is boring, jumping on a mini trampoline -- also known as "rebounding" -- might seem too good to be true. Rebounding gives you a tiring cardio workout with numerous health benefits. Like anything else, though, there are some disadvantages to this fun fitness trend.

  1. Injuries

    • Full-sized trampolines are known to cause injuries, but it turns out mini trampolines aren't much better, after all. In fact, more children are hurt using mini trampolines than big ones, although the latter usually result in more serious injuries. Most accidents happen at home, when the users falls on the trampoline, rather than off it. Others result in cuts and wounds varying in severity. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics only recommends the use of trampolines at certified facilities, like a gymnastics center. (reference 3)

    Product Malfunction

    • Cheap mini trampolines aren't always a good deal. Many products on the market are actually low quality and could potentially be dangerous. This is particularly true for folding mini trampolines. When folding and unfolding, a spring could become loose and jump out at you, resulting in a possibly serious injury, like a facial fracture, chipped tooth or cut requiring stitches. Always do your research before purchasing a mini trampoline.

    Cost

    • The best mini trampolines can be quite expensive -- around a couple hundred dollars. Cheaper versions are usually lower in quality and won't give you as good of a workout because of the poor condition of the mat and springs. Even though rebounding exercises come with a number of health benefits, it could be much more cost-efficient for you to simply put on a pair of sneakers and go jogging.

    Unavailability

    • Unfortunately, not all gyms offer rebounding classes. If you're interested in group fitness lessons, you might have better luck signing up for something like indoor cycling, aerobics or dance. In 2012, only around 5,000 fitness centers worldwide offered rebounding classes. Sure, it might seem like a lot, but it's nowhere near as popular as yoga or Pilates. The good news is that it seems that the number is growing steadily.