Mr Bounce Says – Trampolines and Trampolining Specialist

Amidst all the inconvenience, slips and falls there are millions who have taken the opportunity to enjoy the snow and some of the pleasures it brings. At one stage the whole of Britain was snow covered with barely a cloud in the sky. Crisp snow, blue skies and sunshine. With so many schools closed this was a wonderful opportunity for families to get out and enjoy the snow. Yesterday’s green winter grazing fields were transformed into exhilarating toboggan runs as clusters of youngsters experienced that great sensation of speed you get when gravity takes you ever faster only inches above the ground down a snowy slope. Such a variety of sledges: old wooden ones, home made ones and sleek modern plastic jobs, beach mats, inner tubes, inflatable mattresses and dinghies and of course the inevitable tea trays. The best sledge I saw had a steering wheel that controlled a single front ski as well as big brake levers and springs under the seat to iron out any bumps. It went faster and further than all the others. I came to the conclusion that generally the moulded plastic sledges with steering brakes seemed to be the best all round performers.

Sledge of the day

It’s that time of year again. Is a surfeit of wining and dining starting to show? Has the New Year exercise regime already broken down under the combined pressures of snow and ice? You know you need to do something to get your body back into shape. But just what?

How’s this for a simple and effective solution? Get yourself a decent rebounder. That is a small round mini trampoline. A really good one like the PT Bouncer can be delivered to you for less than £100.00. Unpack it, screw on the legs, set the ‘Complete Body Workout DVD’ to play, take off your shoes and step aboard. Then let Karl Frew lead you through the moves at whatever level you choose. Don’t overdo it first time out. Rebounding is addictive. Once you know the routines just remember not to flop into that comfortable chair in front of the TV. Step up onto your rebounder instead and view while you bounce.

So why is it such great exercise? A hundred times each minute your body is subjected to both zero gravity and upto 3g. This gets your breathing, circulation and lymphatic system going. Every cell in your body is energised. The endorphins created by the exercise raise your spirits and make you smile. Now you’re burning calories and toning your body.

Of course you can buy a rebounder for much less but it won’t come with a brilliant 83 minute rebounding DVD and Margaret Hawkins’ excellent ‘Rebounding for Health’ book. It won’t have an unconditional 12 month guarantee. It may not be delivered to your door and if you really start to use it for 20 to 30 minutes a day it simply won’t stand up to it. Then your second rebounder will be a PT Bouncer.

With the whole of Britain covered in a white blanket of snow, it’s understandable that most garden trampolines have been forgotten whilst the youngsters head for the nearest decent slope with their sledges. What an opportunity. Now might be a good time to remind parents and children of the Top Ten Tobogganing Safety Tips as compiled by Super Tramp. Here they are:

To maximise safety at all times it is recommended that children under 12 are supervised by a responsible adult during tobogganing. Children under 5 should be accompanied on their sledge by an adult.

1.Choose a hill with a gentle slope and long run off area for your tobogganing.

2.Avoid icy surfaces and make sure the hill has a good covering of snow.

3.Make sure your chosen slope is free of holes and obstacles such as buildings, rocks, trees, fences, farm implements and frozen mole hills!

4.Use a well-designed, sturdy sledge with good handholds – ‘homemade’ or ‘adapted’ items will invariably be more difficult to control and not as safe.

5.Only toboggan in day-light, or in well-lit areas.

6.Go down the hill sitting up and facing forward on your sledge. Never go down head first, backwards or standing up.

7.Make sure your tobogganing route is clear right down to the bottom and avoid any routes which are near to streams or rivers. Do not start your tobogganing straight after another person.

8.During your tobogganing, tuck in your arms, legs and all your clothing such as scarves, drawstrings etc.

9.If you do fall off your sledge or stop unexpectedly, immediately move out of the way of other tobogganists.

10.Dress properly for the cold with hats, gloves, and warm waterproof clothing including footwear.

Happy sledging

I read a trampoline blog yesterday that suggested trampolines should be taken down and put away so that they are not damaged by snow and sub zero temperatures. Oh dear! Maybe if you have a really low cost trampoline with small springs, a lightweight frame, open cell foam in the pads and a Far Eastern fabric bed you might just be better off to play safe and pack it away for the winter. However, having cleared the snow and ice off a Super Tramp Fun Bouncer in the Scottish Highlands on several occasions for a load of neighbourhood kids to enjoy a New Years Day festive bounce, I can vouch for the fact that a) the kids had a brilliant time in spite of slightly chilled toes and b) the trampoline which is still going strong 10 years later has suffered no ill effects.

This is one of the wonderful things about a good garden trampoline. Leave it out in all weathers, provided it is well anchored down and when the rain or snow stops, it is ready to deliver some warming winter fun, fresh air and exercise.

Which all goes to show that some people who write blogs to try to improve their web visibility really do not have a clue and that perhaps it may not be wise to just buy a particular trampoline because it’s so cheap.