Are In Ground or Above Ground Trampolines Safer for Your Kids?

When searching for a new trampoline, you may have seen many models now come with the option to install them in-ground. But are sunken trampolines safer, and are they the right choice for you and your family?

In-ground trampolines are generally considered safer than normal above-ground trampolines because they're closer to the ground, and are more easily accessed by users. However, there are a number of factors that must be qualified to decide which type is the safest.

At a Glance - Which Trampolines Are Safest?

Inground Trampolines	Above Ground Trampolines
1. closer to the ground - reduces risk of injury of falling off or out of trampoline,	1. Dr Keith Alexander of Springfree considers "closer to the ground" to be a factor that will increase risk of injury,
2. more stable once secured to the ground. The longer that the legs are the more instability that this can bring to the structure,	2. above ground trampolines will always be sold with a safety net enclosure. Because of the perception that inground trampolines are safer, they are often sold without safety net enclosures,
3. safer for small children and pets as they will be unable to access the area beneath the trampoline.	3. available with trampoline frame nets that will keep pets, small children and so on away from underneat the jump area.

The Case for Inground Trampolines Being the Most Safe

1. Closer to Ground/ Reduced Risk of Falling From Trampoline

Because they are much closer to the ground it reduces the risk of injury by slipping or tripping when entering or exiting the trampoline.

Whether from a wet and slippy trampoline ladder, a faulty trampoline safety net or zipper or simply someone in a rush who isn't paying attention, by bringing the trampoline jumping platform so much closer to the ground, the risk of injury is from falling is significantly reduced.

2. Closer to Ground Delivers Enhanced Stability

The further that structure is from the ground the more inherently unstable that it is.

The argument goes that when a sunken trampoline is securely fixed to the ground, and the jumping platform is only a matter of inches from the ground that it must be more stable than trampolines on longer legs that are required to absorb all of the force from jumping on the trampoline.

3. Reduced Risk of Injury to Small Children & Pets

There is no doubt that a small child or pet could be significantly injured if they decided to explore underneath the trampoline when it was being used by jumpers.

With inground trampolines because the jump mat area is only inches from the ground, the same possibility does not exist to crawl around on the grass underneath the jump mat.

The Case for Above Ground Trampolines Being the Most Safe

1. "Closer to the Ground" is a Risk Factor

Springfree Trampolines claim to make the world's safest trampolines, and it is important to note that they do not offer an inground or sunken trampoline option.

In fact, Dr Keith Alexander of Springfree considers "closer to the ground" to be a factor that could increase the risk of injury, because you are bringing the jumping area of the trampoline so much closer to a hard and immovable object - the ground.

Typically, Springfree specify that there should be a minimum of a 1 metre or 3 foot clearance between the trampoline and other objects. This will not be achieved by bring the trampoline within a few inches of the ground.

2. Safety Nets Are Not Optional

Above ground trampolines are supplied with a safety net enclosure. It usually will not be an option to buy an above ground trampoline without a safety net.

However, inground trampolines will often be purchased without a safety net enclosure. When this happens there is a much higher risk of injury coming from the potential of colliding with a hard surface, that being the ground.

Even though the grass may look soft falling from a height and landing on your arms or leg could still cause an injury.

3. Trampoline Frame Nets are available

Trampoline frame nets are available that will wrap around the trampoline legs to make the area beneath the trampoline inaccessible for pets and small children.

4. Invest in A Reliable Trampoline Brand

When you invest in a trampoline brand that has a reputation for a high-quality product then any concerns around the instability of regular above ground trampolines will be quickly abated.

Non-Safety Aspects of Above Ground & Inground Trampolines Considered.

Inground Trampolines	Above Ground Trampolines
1. Lower Height Profile In Your Garden	1. Much quicker to assemble,
2. Offers the Wow Factor	2. Traditional design that users will be familiar with and will readily use,
3. Easy to Get On & Off - close to ground level,	3. Easy to move if required.

Allow us to Explain Further -

The Benefits of Inground Trampolines

1. Much Lower in Your Garden -

Particularly in smaller gardens, large above ground trampolines can seem to dominate or tower over your garden, although they deliver tons of fun, they can take up a lot of room.

Inground trampolines on the other hand, especially when installed without a safety net enclosure can be much more minimal, and seemlessly blend into the garden.

2. Wow Factor

Inground trampolines are tremendously popular and are definitely trending up, and we have to admit that there is a certain wow factor to jumping so high from a starting position so close to ground level.

3. Easy to Enter and Exit

Especially if you have children with mobility issues the ease to entering and exiting inground trampolines is so much greater that is the case with above ground models.

The Benefits of Regular Above Ground Trampolines

1. Quick to Assemble

Regular, above ground trampolines can be so fast to assemble that the kids can be jumping on your new trampoline within a few hours of receiving it. Typical above ground trampolines take approximately two hours to build.

While inground trampoline frame structures and nets can be equally quick to build, its digging the hole that can take half a day or a day.

You also have the question of whether or not to hire a mini-digger, and then what do you do with the soil that you have removed?

2. Traditional, Familiar Design

Although there will always be modifications to good designs, the proof of a good design is that the modifications are very minor, and do not detract significantly from the original design.

The traditional above ground trampoline is an excellent example of this design principle, and has altered very little since its original conception - for a reason.

3. Easy to Move

With families and especially young families circumstances can change. You might want to move house, to build an extension or simply to move the trampoline to a sunnier part of the garden.

Moving your above ground trampoline will always be quite easy, and you won't have any holes to fill in.

Final Word

To sum it up both inground and regular above ground trampolines can be very safe for your family. There are strengths and weaknesses on both sides and a lot of factors to consider as we list above before you decide which one will be right for you.

Thank you for reading this article.

Please phone us on 01 960 1641 if you need any assistance.