Vuly Trampolines

We talk about trampolines and sports fairly often, but one topic that we have not covered yet is how frequently sports mascots use trampolines in a lot of their stunts.

Think about it— a lot of the major sports teams who use mascots often make them perform some pretty crazy stunts on trampolines. I think this is especially true when it comes to American basketball teams.  Now, I think that they are a little nutty, but they do have some really interesting halftime shows.  Almost all American basketball teams have a trampoline dunking halftime show. These teams hire very talented gymnasts to jump through rings of fire or other similarly crazy feats.  To add to the insanity, most of these trampoline stunts are done without the use of high quality trampoline safety pads or trampoline safety nets!

I have to give them props. It would be really hard to dunk a basketball when you’re flying off of a trampoline, and it would be even harder to do it whenever you are in a gorilla costume!

Has anyone ever seen this on TV?  Would you ever be willing to be a sports mascot?  Would you ever do a trampoline halftime show (or, a better question might be how much would they have to pay you! haha)

Have a happy Monday, everyone!

Hi readers!

We have already discussed the Doodle Jump trampoline application for iPhone, but we have not yest discussed Tramp Stamp!  The basic premis of Tramp Stamp is this: boxes need to be stamped before leaving a giant warehouse.  Your job, as a player, is to use a trampoline to launch yourself to great heights so you can stamp the departing boxes as they move towards the loading dock.  You can control the bouncing ball by tilting the iPhone.  Tap the screen to stamp the box.  With each trampoline launch comes a successful stamp to increase your power.   If you jump on the trampoline but miss the box, you lose power. Each departing box must be stamped at least one time before it leaves the warehouse.  If it is not stamped, you will be penalised.

Users rate the game’s sound effects, quirky graphics, and addictive nature.  It has been described as very challenging, but suitable for the whole family.

Okay, readers, it is your time to speak!  What do you think about these trampoline-inspired iPhone games?  Have you ever played either Doodle Jump or Tramp Stamp?

….Am I the only one who is seeing a trend here?  I think trampoline games are going to be a very big marketing tool for iPhone!

Sponsored marathons have always been a popular way to raise money.  Dance-a-thons, walk-a-thons, running marathons, rock-a-thons, and other endurance tests are commonplace for organizations and groups all across the world.  The basic idea is this: a contestant collects money from sponsors who pledge to give them a certain amount of money if the contestant participates in a contest.  The contest atmosphere may be one of great competition (as in a 5K race for charity) or may be casual and group-oriented (a ladies club that agrees to knit for 3 hours and talk).  The result is a highly-social, fun fundraising idea in which the contestants push their abilities to the limits and the charity or organization greatly benefits from the profits.

Often, enthusiastic volunteers engage in a bounce-a-thon in which the contestants agree to jump on a trampoline for an alloted amount of time.   Frequently, bounce-a-thons have a silly, fun atmosphere in which the contestants may dress up in crazy costumes to wear while bouncing on the trampoline.  The trampoline bounce-a-thons may be composed of individuals or of teams.

I think this is a great idea!  Really, as long as the supervising adults make sure that the trampoline fun is safe, this sounds like  a great idea to raise money and have fun at the same time.

Why not try a trampoline bounce-a-thon for your next fundraiser?

If you have ever used a trampoline for a long period of time, you have probably also experienced the static shock that can come along with bouncing. The electrical shock occurs after an electrical charge is built up in the jumper, rendering him or her either negatively or positively charged.  Once the jumper get off of the trampoline and touches something (or someone!) that can conduct electricity, a static shock occurs.

Nylon trampoline jumping mats are frequently responsible for creating an electric shock.  The constant friction of the bare feet against the nylon jumping mat can occasionally create an unpleasant, albeit harmless, electrical shock.  Although jumping on the trampoline in bare feet will reduce the risk of shock, it won’t eliminate the risk entirely.

There are a few things that you can do to reduce your risk of static shock while using the trampoline:

• Always jump in your bare feet
• Wear cotton clothing
• Never wear nylon or polyester clothing while using the trampoline
• Moisturise the skin (not the bottoms of the feet) before using the trampoline

Okay, readers, it is your turn!  Have you ever had a static shock from a trampoline?  In your opinion, what is the best way to prevent them from occuring?  Let us know!

Have you ever wondered where tight rope walkers learn their skills or where trapeze artists learn the tools of the trade?  The answer is simple– circus academies!

Most circus academies are small but very welcoming institutions that teach students all about the circus business.  They can range from the very prestigious to the small, grassroots organizations. They frequently offer aerial training, gymnastics/tumbling, hoop training, trampoline skills, and clowning classes. As an added bonus, many circus academies offer classes for children.

One of the most popular classes in circus academies is the trampoline training classes.  Under the safety of professional supervision, students can perfect the flips, turns, spins, and tricks needed to secure circus employment.  Students range from individuals who dream of the spotlight to stay-at-home moms who desire a hobby.  The trampoline skills classes are especially popular because most people have at least some experience with trampolines.   Some may find the skills to be daunting, while other remain unfazed by the acrobatic feats that they must perform.

Students learn the tools of the trade gradually and use professional equipment.  Many students describe being very terrified at first, but they are thrilled to have learned exciting new skills by the end of the lesson.

Bouncing on a trampoline is fun for the whole family, but parents need to keep their children’s ages in mind before purchasing a trampoline. Currently, trampolines are not recommended for children under 6 years old. A larger sized trampoline might sound like a good deal, but families can experience difficulty if their children are too young. To combat the difficulties that might be associated with small children on a trampoline, consider investing in a toddler trampoline.

Perfect for first-time trampoline users and jumpers aged 6 and older, toddler trampolines are fantastic for teaching basic skills and safety techniques to your six year old before allowing him or her to have access to a larger device.  By emphasizing the importance of safety and reasonable trampoline etiquette, you will prepare your child for better trampoline experiences in the future.

Additionally, toddler trampolines are an inexpensive way to test whether your child will enjoy having a larger device.  High quality trampolines in larger sizes can be several hundred dollars. Conversely, toddler trampolines are a cost-efficient way of introducing the joys of bouncing to your little one.

Has anyone ever used a toddler trampoline?  What did you think?  At what age did were your children ready for a larger trampoline?

Recently, there has been an increase on second-hand trampolines sold on the internet.  Popular buying and selling sites like eBay or Gumtree are full of trampoline listings promising a safe, reliable device for your family.  It may be easy to be persuaded, but the consumer has to consider one thing— if the trampoline is so fantastic, why is the seller not keeping it for himself?

Often, second-hand trampolines are poor quality devices that have been damaged.  The seller may or may not be aware of the extent of the damage inflicted, and trampoline damage can often be invisible to the naked eye.  A worse scenario might be that the seller is aware of the damage but is desperate to make a quick buck.

Another problem that buyers may experience is the lack of knowledge of the trampoline‘s history.  Much like a used car, the reliability and safety of a trampoline greatly depends on how it has been treated and under what conditions it has been used.  If the trampoline has been left out in the weather or mistreated, it may not be safe for your family to use.

Protect your family’s health and wellbeing—only buy high quality trampolines from a reputable trampoline institution!

http://www.vulytrampolines.com/

The thought of installing a trampoline may seem a little daunting, but relax.  It’s actually much easier than it looks.

There are so many resources available to you when you are trying to install your trampoline. If you’re having trouble, you may not have considered all of your options.  Here are the most helpful resources you can use when trying to install your trampoline:

1. Refer to the instruction manual.  Most trampolines feature a list of directions that can help you.  Some provide just written instructions.  Others, like Vuly Trampolines feature text and a full-color pictures to aid you in your installation process.
2. See if there are printed directions on the box.  Sometimes, trampoline manufacturers choose to print the instructions on the box, rather than use a manual.  Carefully inspect all sides of the box to ensure that you have not missed the instructions.
3. If available, call the customer service hotline.  Some trampoline companies, like Vuly, have customer service operators that can help you with your installation questions.  Customer service hotline numbers are usually located on the box or on the instruction manual.
4. High-quality trampoline institutions, like Vuly, may feature an instruction video that depicts the entire installation process as it happens.  Vuly’s installation video was created by our team of engineers and is performed by a trampoline installation specialist.  Find this trampoline instructional video.

Hello everyone,

Spring is right around the corner, and you need to look your best at the beach.  Have you ever considered incorporating a trampoline workout to aid in your exercise program?  Here are some basic moves that will get you moving and feeling fit!

1. Basic Bounce– just bouncing on the trampoline will help you burn calories and lose weight.  Some individuals prefer to count bouncing repetitions, while others set a time limit.  Figure out a plan that works well for you.  It’s your trampoline weight loss program—individualise it!
2. Bounce and Kick– after you are comfortable with the motion of the trampoline, try kicking to up the calorie burn.  When you are in the air, extend one leg into a kick before switching legs.  Feel the burn!
3. Touch Your Toes– for the flexible bouncers, try touching your toes while you’re in the air.  Expert tip–stretch before attempting this feat!!
4. Arm Circles– why should your legs have all the fun?  Get your arms into the action by doing arm circles of varying widths while bouncing.  You can circle your arms in front of you, to the side, one at a time, etc.
5. Knee touches– this is one of my favorite moves!  For a simple knee touch, allow your hands to touch your knees in midair.  To really tone your core, bring your elbows to your knees and squeeze your abs and perform a standing crunch.

Happy trampoline toning, everyone!

We’ve talked before about how cheap trampolines can endanger your family, but I feel like we should go into more detail.  To be clear, I will use the word “cheap” synonymously with the words “poor-quality”; that is, not all inexpensive trampolines are cheap, but the lower the price of the product is, the more likely that the item is not of the utmost quality.

While finding a good deal is great—and who doesn’t love that?!— some consumers can be persuaded by too-good-to-be-true prices and may be left with a hassle.

Here are just a few problems associated with poor-quality trampolines:

• Weakened or damaged jump mats
• Trampoline frames made of thin, bendable steel
• Thin safety pads that offer little protection against the springs
• Brittle or easily broken safety nets
• Easily sun-damaged components
• Round joins that can slip out of the frame, leading to breakage
• Unreliable or easily broken springs

Any one of these problems can lead to heartache or disaster for your family.  Before buying a trampoline, shop around a little bit. Do your research, compare prices, and consider which trampoline is right for you.