Which trampoline shape is right for you?

However, before you start thinking about the shape of your trampoline, check how much space you’ve got in your garden.

Your trampoline should be on perfectly flat ground, clear of rocks and plants, ideally on soft ground such as lawn or wood chippings. Make sure to measure the space out to ensure your trampoline fits, as it’s easy to underestimate quite how big trampolines are. Once you’ve got your garden measurements, when choosing the right size, make sure you allow 2ft clearance around the diameter of the trampoline to ensure your little ones can comfortably get on and off, and to minimise the risk of accidents. Also allow 24ft overhead clearance for safety reasons, so ensure that that there are no branches or roof overhangs nearby.

Once you know what size trampoline you are looking for, it’s time to consider the shape.

ROUND

Popularity: Most common and popular trampoline shape. Ideal for 1 to 2 jumpers.

Quality of Bounce: The bounce is light and easy in the middle so it’s ideal for younger users.

Safety: The central gravitational force tends to pull jumpers into the middle, protecting them from contact with the frame and poles. It’s one of the safest choices for all ages and abilities.

Maintenance: It evenly distributes the jumpers’ weight on all the springs, so one side does not wear out faster than another. However, overall maintenance and how long your trampoline will last will depend on the quality of material used to make it. The better the quality, the more expensive the trampoline is likely to be but the longer it will last. Check our Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide for what to look out for when buying a trampoline.

Price: Prices vary depending on the brand and overall quality of the trampoline; however, round trampolines tend to be cheaper.

OVAL

Popularity: Oval trampolines are more popular for narrower gardens as they optimise footage better than round trampolines. They are also more suitable for multiple jumpers, as they provide more space to practise jumps.

Quality of Bounce: As jumpers do not gravitate to the middle, oval trampolines provide a more even, balanced bounce. They also have more space for practising trampolining tricks and the elongated shape provides jumpers with more control over their landings.

Safety: Safe design with no sharp edges.

Maintenance: The uneven shape means that one side may wear down faster than another but ultimately, the level of maintenance required will depend on the overall quality of the materials used. Check our Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide for what to look out for when buying a trampoline.

Price: Similar prices to round trampolines, but prices will largely depend on the quality of materials used.

RECTANGULAR

Popularity: Rectangular trampolines are more suitable for experienced jumpers. If you want to practise higher jumps and tricks, or the trampoline will be used by multiple jumpers, a rectangular trampoline is ideal. They are by far the highest performance trampolines, which is why they are used for gymnastics and competitions, including the Olympics.

Quality of Bounce: Out of all the trampoline shapes, rectangular trampolines provide the best quality bounce to achieve higher jumps. The force of each jump is evenly distributed which allows bouncers to control their landings better. As they don’t have a central gravitational force like round trampolines, it allows bouncers to stay in place more easily. The rectangular shape also provides more space for practising flips and tricks, and for multiple users.

Safety: Rectangular trampolines do not have a central gravitational pool like round trampolines, which means that jumpers are not pulled back towards the centre. Contact with the frame or net is therefore more likely, particularly if the jumper is inexperienced.

Maintenance: Due to the uneven shape, one side may wear down faster than another, but the overall maintenance of the trampoline will depend on the quality of materials used. Rectangular trampolines require a larger, heavier frame to hold them down safely, so they are harder to move or disassemble. Check our Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide for what to look out for when buying a trampoline.

Price: They tend to be more expensive, but price will largely depend on the quality of materials used.

SQUARE

Popularity: Although not as popular as the other trampoline shapes, they are a great choice for maximising the space in your garden while practising higher jumps and tricks. They are more suitable for intermediate jumpers due to a firmer bounce.

Quality of Bounce: Square trampolines provide a good firm bounce, perfect for high jumps. Due to the square shape, they maximise footage and provide more space for tricks and flips, as well as for multiple users. Generally, the quality of bounce is better than round trampolines, but not as good as rectangular trampolines.

Safety: Like rectangular trampolines, they do not have a central gravitational pool forcing the jumper to the middle (as with round trampolines), which means that there is more chance of contact with the frame or net.

Maintenance: The overall maintenance of the trampoline will depend on the quality of materials used. Square trampolines require a larger, heavier frame to hold them down safely, so they are harder to move or disassemble. Check our Ultimate Trampoline Buying Guide for what to look out for when buying a trampoline.

Price: They tend to be more expensive than round trampolines, but price will largely depend on the quality of materials used.

THE BATTLE OF THE SHAPES

ROUND vs OVAL

Go for a round trampoline if you have 1 or 2 young jumpers as the central gravitational force will pull them into the middle and protect them from any contact with the frame/poles/net. Opt for an oval trampoline if you are looking for a more even bounce and you have multiple jumpers. Oval trampolines also often fit better in narrower gardens but make sure to measure out your space.

OVAL vs RECTANGULAR

Oval and rectangular trampolines are both suitable for multiple jumpers and provide more jumping space than round trampolines. The main difference between the two is that rectangular trampolines provide a better bounce, and you can achieve higher jumps, so they are more suitable for experienced jumpers. If you are looking for the highest performance trampolines and you want to practise your tricks and flips, then a rectangular trampoline would be ideal. On the other hand, oval trampolines are the perfect hybrid between round and rectangular trampolines and suitable for younger users.

RECTANGULAR vs SQUARE

If you are trying to decide between a square and rectangular trampoline, rectangular trampolines provide a better, higher bounce so they are more suitable for confident and experienced jumpers. Square trampolines still provide a good bounce (compared to round trampolines) but not as high as rectangular trampolines, making them more suitable for younger or intermediate users.  

If you are still unsure which trampoline shape is best for you, we are happy to help! Our team is available 7 days a week. Simply get in touch here.