Trampolines are incredibly popular with families, and they provide hours of fun and entertainment for kids and adults alike. Trampolines are also flexible. Depending on the size and weight, you can either place them indoors or outdoors. However, there are a few things that you should take into consideration before purchasing a trampoline. Always check the trampoline weight limit before buying one so that no accidents happen when more than one person starts jumping simultaneously.
Manufacturers make trampolines with different weight limits ranging from small toddler trampolines, kids trampolines, large backyard models, to Olympic-quality gymnastic trampolines. Therefore, it is best to check the trampoline’s sizes, features, and weight limits before you buy it so that everyone in your family can have fun for years.
Trampoline Weight Limit
Before trampolining became a household phenomenon, trampolines were designed primarily for children. You probably can recall whenever you went to a kid’s birthday party, you would definitely notice kids jumping up and down on the trampoline.
Things have changed since then, and trampolining has become a fun activity for adults and kids. In fact, trampolines are now used as workout equipment by people daily. However, not all trampolines are created equal when it comes to their trampoline weight limits. It’s essential that you know how much weight a trampoline can handle to keep yourself and other members of your family safe. If the trampoline exceeds its weight limit, the mat can tear, and the trampoline’s springs can break suddenly, causing accidents.
So it is a good idea to do a quick calculation and determine how many kids and adults would be jumping on the trampoline simultaneously. Then ensure the model you choose can handle the weight.
Weight Limit by Trampoline Size and Shape
The size and shape of a trampoline decide how much weight it can hold. Here are some general rules.
By Size
- Toddlers trampolines have a weight limit of 100 lbs. maximum
- 8 to 10 ft trampolines have a weight limit of 150 lbs. maximum
- 12 ft trampolines have a weight limit of 300 lbs. maximum
- 14 ft trampolines have a weight limit of 350 lbs. maximum
- 15 to 16 ft trampolines have a weight limit of 450 lbs. maximum
- Adult rebounder trampolines have a weight limit of 500 lbs. maximum
As you might have noticed, the load capacity is much higher than the average weight of the recommended users. When bouncing, your body exerts more pressure on the trampoline than what you weigh. Therefore, it must be able to hold more than your actual weight to prevent snapping.
Factors That Affect How Much You Can Weigh on a Trampoline?
Here are some important things to think about when figuring out how much you can weigh on a trampoline.
Jumping Mat
How much weight a trampoline can hold depends a lot on the materials used to make the jumping mat. Most of the time, manufacturers use waterproof cloth or woven polypropylene, both of which are strong and long-lasting. To keep materials from ripping or stretching too much when they bounce, the weaving must be of the highest quality.
Springs
Most trampolines hold the jumping mat to the frame with twisted springs. These parts give the ball the bounce and flexibility it needs to go back up in the air.
More springs generally make a trampoline bounce higher and hold more weight, but how well they fit together is more important for making a trampoline that can hold more weight.
How good the springs are also makes a big difference. Those that are small and thick tend to be able to hold more weight and bounce higher.
Rust-resistant springs keep their weight limit over time because they are made of metal. Corrosion breaks down the material, making it less stable and less able to hold a big load.
Frame
A trampoline frame forms the skeleton of the unit because it holds all the pieces together. Most of them are made of metal, but some are stronger than others because of how they are made.
Rust-proof, thick-gauge steel frames are more stable and can carry more weight because of this. They would be good for kids because the frame is strong and won’t break very often.
Size
Most trampolines can hold more weight as they get bigger. Older kids are bigger and heavier, so the trampolines made for them need to be wider and strong enough to support their weight.
For example, a 12-foot trampoline can only hold about 250 to 300 pounds, but a 15-foot trampoline can hold up to 450 pounds.
Shape
Even though it might not seem like it, the form of a trampoline affects how much weight it can hold. Most of the time, rectangular pieces weigh more than circular ones. Same thing with oval trampolines, which can hold more weight than round ones.
Read our full guide to trampoline shapes and sizes and how to measure a trampoline to learn more about sizes and shapes.
When you’re shopping for an outdoor trampoline, you’ll find that it can also support adults. Regardless of whether you’re looking for kids or adult trampolines; every trampoline has a maximum weight-bearing capacity.
Although many trampolines may not break immediately if you exceed the weight limit. If this happens repeatedly, over time this will damage the trampoline. You will need to replace the mat or the springs, or the steel frame as they break.
Manufacturers rate a trampoline’s limit on the load capacity rating of the springs, the mat, and the supporting frame used in the trampoline’s design. Whenever those limits are exceeded, may break at the weakest spot, usually the trampoline’s springs.
That said, the larger outdoor trampolines have a limit of over 500 lbs. Trampolines for small kids or toddlers may hold up to 50 lbs.
Meanwhile, a large garden trampoline or any adult outdoor trampoline can typically support 500-750 lbs. This means 3 adults can jump safely on this trampoline, assuming the combined weight is within the mentioned limit.
Going through the trampoline reviews on various online sites should provide a good sneak peek about various trampolines’ weight limits. You can also ask the manufacturer or retailer for weight tolerance before buying the product. It’s also worth mentioning that exceeding the trampoline’s maximum weight-bearing capacity will damage it, which will forfeit the warranty.