29 Surprising Trampoline Facts You Never Knew

You may not think it, but trampolines have a rich history.   

From World War II to NASA to the Olympics, trampolines have an expansive reach beyond the backyard.  

We’re going to use our decades of expertise and share with you 29 fun trampoline facts that you probably didn’t know about.   

Feel free to share these with your friends and family the next time you get together!  

29 Fun Trampoline Facts   

Below is our roundup of some super-cool trampoline facts:  

1. The first prototype of a trampoline was created in the 1930s by George Nissen and Larry Griswold. Both were gymnastics competitors!  

2. Nissen formulated the idea of a trampoline after attending a circus in 1930.  

3. Trampolines have been used by the military to train pilots to respond to difficult air maneuvers.   

4. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest trampoline bounce ever recorded is 22 ft, 1 in.  

Photo courtesy of TODAY. 

5. NASA found that 10 minutes of jumping burns more calories than 30 minutes of running.  

6. NASA has also used trampolines to help astronauts with regaining balance after being in space.  

7. Traditional trampolines use metal springs to provide the bounce. They are your classic backyard trampoline. 

Photo courtesy of Walmart.  

8. Almost all trampoline mats are made from the same material: polypropylene.   

9. Trampolining was officially introduced into the Olympics in 2000 at the Sydney Games.  

10. The world trampoline has Spanish roots. It comes from the word “trampolín,” which means diving board.  

11. The first springless trampoline was introduced in the early 2000s by our inventor, Dr. Keith Alexander. They use fiberglass rods to replace the metal springs.  

Springfree Trampoline. 

12. Springfree Trampoline is the only trampoline type to eliminate 90% of product-related injuries.  

13. The first trampoline park was built in 2004 (Sky Zone).  

14. The largest trampoline park is Flip Out Trampoline Park, located in Glasgow, Scotland. It has 63,000 square feet of space!  

15. Trampolines are not just for bouncing – there are tons of trampoline games and activities, like chalk drawing, that you can do!  

16. In the 1950s, there were dedicated “jump centers” throughout the US for kids to jump on.   

Photo courtesy of Trampoline History Blog. 

17. There are trampolines built to be used on water – appropriately called water trampolines.   

18. Mini trampolines (also called rebounders or exercise trampolines) became immensely popular in the early 1980s after the NASA Study was published. Rebounding still remains a popular form of exercise today.   

19. Inground trampolines (installed into the ground) can cost over $5,000 to install in your backyard. It’s like installing a backyard swimming pool! 

 

Photo courtesy of the Jump Shack. 

20. The Guinness World Record for most consecutive somersaults is 3,333. 

21. Trampolines used to be sold without enclosure nets. This changed around the 2000s; nowadays, you won’t find backyard trampolines sold without them.  

22. Toddlers can jump too! Toddler trampolines are commonly sold and used throughout the world.   

23. The American Society for Testing Materials is the leading source of trampoline standards – ensuring product quality and safety.  

24. An old trampoline can be turned into many things: a greenhouse, chicken coop, and even a nightly hangout spot! 

 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.  

25. Trampolines have been shown to significantly improve motor proficiency and strength in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).   

26. Another Guinness World Record -- the most people jumping on a trampoline at one time is 376.  

27. Even in a world full of screens, the trampoline market is still expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.62% (2022-2029).   

28. The springs on a trampoline take off almost 2 ft of jumping room. So, a 14 ft spring trampoline = about 12 ft of jumping room. 

29. Trampolines are versatile and able to be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s not just people, either: even bears like to get their daily bounce in! 

Video courtesy of CBC News.

The Best Trampolines of 2024 

Trampolines are so much more than just a place to bounce.   

As you have learned with these fun trampoline facts, the joy of bouncing on a trampoline has transcended generations.   

Trampolines have come a long way since their invention in the 1930s.   

New technologies and innovations have spurred many exciting trends for modern trampolines.  

If you would like to see the current best-of-the-best, we ranked our best trampolines for 2024. Check it out to see which ones made the cut!