The Main Reason For a Round Trampoline is Safety

So you’re looking for a trampoline, and perhaps looking for a rectangle trampoline.  If you’re looking for a trampoline for a gymnast or an athlete in training, stick with the rectangle tramp.  Otherwise, if you are looking a recreational backyard trampoline for kids to use, then I suggest you keep reading.  When I was younger (I am 33 now), I grew up on a rectangle trampoline, mainly because that is all that was available at the time. Now that I have kids of my own, I will only put them on a round trampoline. 

Actual Jumping Area Is Significantly Larger On Round Trampolines

The most popular size round trampoline is 14′ round. Keep in mind that this is the size of the frame. Once you factor in the frame and springs, this now leaves you with a 12′ round jumping surface. If you are jumping in the center, this leaves you with 6′ all the way around you for safety.

Now, lets look at the most popular size rectangle trampoline, which is 6′ x 12′. Once you factor in 1 foot on each side for springs and frame, you are now left with a 4′ wide jump surface. This now leaves you with only 2 feet on each side of you before you would go into the springs or fall off the trampoline (provided you were not using a net)! If you went with the larger 7×14′ rectangle trampoline, this would only add 1/2 foot. This is not much. Now if you had 2 or more kids on the trampoline, you could see how injuries will happen quickly on a rectangle trampoline.

Homeowner Insurance Doesn’t Generally Cover Square Trampolines

Secondly, check to see if your homeowners insurance will cover trampolines.  You may be surprised to find out that some homeowners insurance will not cover you if you have a rectangle trampoline, even if you have an enclosure for it.

Cost & Quality Varies Drastically

Since rectangle trampolines are essentially built for gymnasts, they are usually built in low quantities.  This means the price of these will be higher.  Also, many are not designed for outdoor use, as they were built for gymnasiums.  Many of the outdoor rectangle trampolines are imported from China, leaving only the well-built outdoor rectangle trampolines to be as high as $2,000 to purchase.

Unless you are getting a trampoline to use for gymnasts that will at all times be monitored by a trainer or specialist, I would recommend you stick with the kid-safe round trampoline.