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Trampoline and Its Many Uses

The trampoline is typically made of a piece of taut, strong material stretched over a steel frame that uses coiled springs to provide the rebounding force which propels the user of this device high into the air; it is used typically by gymnasts and for recreational purposes.

A Brief History

It is believed that the first people to use a trampoline were the Eskimos, who built them from walrus skin, which was strong and flexible enough to bear the weight of humans. The walrus skin was not set or fixed on a given frame but held by people from different corners while one of them was tossed up and down from it.

Other traces lead researchers to believe some similar practices were carried on in England but with blankets instead of walrus skins. While none of the above have any specific dates to document their existence historically, it is certain that in the early 20th century some stage acts used bouncing beds to amuse their audience.

George Nissen and Larry Griswold built the first modern trampoline in 1934; both were athletes on the gymnastics team of the University of Iowa, USA.

The Many Uses of a Trampoline

According to circus legends the trampoline was invented by Du Trampoline, who used the bouncing sheets as safety nets for performing trapeze artists. There are, however, no documents available to prove the truth of this story.

Gymnasts use the trampoline in a variety of activities and exercises. Children love the trampoline as well but they have a smaller size unit so they don’t bounce too high. Bungee jumps sometimes have trampoline as safety nets when practiced indoors or on solid ground.

Trampoline Safety

It is a fun device which gets your whole body in action in just couple of minutes. It can however be unsafe if the exercise is not practiced with proper caution. Some common practices especially with children are that they are usually tied safely so they do not get projected on the side or loose their balance and fall off the trampoline. Bouncing off is the most common injury that occurs; in order to avoid being side projected do not jump too high on the trampoline.

If you are not an athlete with practice in using the trampoline; use it with care and follow all the necessary safety measures in order to avoid injury to yourself and others; it is otherwise a great way to lift spirits, exercise and have fun at the same time.