- Choose level, stable ground, with nothing above or around it; the instructions give the clear zone to respect.
- Follow the order and the tool given in the instructions; the springs are under tension, so improvise nothing.
- Fit the springs in opposite pairs, like the wheel nuts on a car, to spread the tension.
- Anchor the trampoline as the instructions say: a trampoline that is not anchored can move in the wind.
Choosing the position
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| Ground | Level and stable; no slope, waterlogged area or loose soil |
| Above | No branch, electric cable or overhanging roof |
| Around | No wall, fence, furniture or pond in the clear zone given in the instructions |
| Supervision | A spot that can be seen from the house or the patio |
| Exit | Clear access for the ladder and for getting in through the door of the net |
The exact clear zone depends on the model and the standard applied: it is in the instructions. Choosing the diameter is covered on the trampoline with a safety net page.
What to arrange before you start
- Two adults: one holds the frame and the mat, the other hooks on.
- The spring tool supplied, and the spanner or screwdriver for the fixings.
- Gloves if the instructions recommend them, and closed shoes.
- Enough room to lay out all the parts flat, where the trampoline will stay.
Assembly, step by step
- Unpack flat and check off all the parts against the list in the instructions.
- Assemble the frame sections into a circle, without tightening fully until everything is in place.
- Fit the legs, W-shaped or U-shaped depending on the model, then tighten.
- Lay the jumping mat on the frame, fabric side up.
- Hook on the springs with the spring tool supplied, in opposite pairs.
- Put on the spring pad or cushion that covers the springs.
- Fit the poles, then the net and its closure.
- Install the ladder if one is supplied, then anchor the trampoline.
The exact order varies from one model to another: the manufacturer's instructions are the authority. Spare parts (mat, springs, net) are chosen on the springs and mat and net pages.
KIDUKU complete kit, 244 to 427 cmSee on Amazon.co.uk
tectake 244 to 457 cm, GS certifiedSee on Amazon.co.uk
Monzana 244 cm, complete setSee on Amazon.co.ukFitting the springs in a cross pattern
- Hook four springs onto four opposite points of the frame, to hold the mat in the centre.
- Add four springs halfway between the first ones.
- Complete by alternating one side, then the opposite side, until you have been all the way round.
- Count the springs fitted, which must match the instructions, and check that none is twisted.
| Part or model in the selection | Fixings to fill |
|---|---|
| SPORTNOW 183 cm | 36 springs |
| AREBOS 305 cm mat | 64 eyelets |
| SPORTNOW 12ft (366 cm) mat | 72 rings |
Mistakes that mean starting again
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Tightening fully before the circle is closed | The frame will not close again without forcing | Tighten at the end, with everything in place |
| Fitting the springs on one side first | The mat goes off-centre and is stretched crookedly | Work in a cross pattern, then alternate |
| Forgetting the pad before the poles | Taking the poles off again to slide it on | Keep to the order in the instructions |
| Leaving the ladder hooked on | Access with no adult nearby | Take it off after every session |
The springs: the step not to rush
- The springs are under tension: use the tool provided, never bare hands.
- Start by hooking on a few opposite springs, then complete the rest around the mat.
- Check that every eyelet is properly engaged and that no spring is twisted.
- Count the springs: the number matches the instructions.
- Get help: one adult holds the mat while the other hooks on.
A spring that comes unhooked or a mat under tension can cause injury. Use the tool supplied, wear gloves if the instructions recommend them and do not work alone.
Anchoring, wind and the seasons
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Permanent position | Anchor with the kit specified in the instructions (for example a ground anchor); some kits in the selection include one |
| Wind forecast | Take the net down or protect the trampoline as the instructions say, and avoid leaving it without an anchor |
| Rain and frost | Cover with a trampoline cover: see the trampoline cover page |
| Winter | Do not jump on a wet or frozen mat; check the state of the mat in spring |
Checks before first use
- All the bolts are tight, and all the springs and the net are in place.
- The spring pad covers all the springs properly.
- The trampoline is level and stable when you press on the frame.
- The minimum age, the maximum weight and the instructions have been read by the users and by the adults supervising.
- The ladder is taken off or put away when no one is supervising.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to assemble a trampoline?
Several hours with two people for a garden trampoline with a net. The instructions give the steps; fitting the springs takes a good part of the time.
Do you need two people to assemble a trampoline?
It is advisable: one adult holds the mat and the frame, the other hooks on the springs. Some instructions explicitly recommend it.
Does a trampoline need anchoring to the ground?
Yes, according to the model's instructions: a trampoline that is not anchored can move in the wind. Some kits include a ground anchor.
In what order should the springs of a trampoline be fitted?
In opposite pairs, like tightening the wheel nuts on a car, to spread the tension across the mat.
What tools do you need to assemble a trampoline?
The spring tool supplied in the box, the spanner or screwdriver for the fixings, and gloves if the instructions advise them. The exact list is in the instructions.
How do you take a trampoline down?
In the reverse order to assembly: net and poles, spring pad, springs with their tool, mat, then legs and frame. The springs stay under tension until the last one.
How many springs does a trampoline have?
It depends on the diameter and the model: 36 on the SPORTNOW 183 cm, 64 eyelets on a 305 cm mat, 72 rings on a 366 cm mat.
Why is the mat not centred?
The springs were probably fitted on one side first. Unhooking a few springs, then starting again in a cross pattern, lets you re-centre the mat.
Can a trampoline be assembled on a slope?
No, the ground must be level and stable. On sloping ground the trampoline is unstable and the instructions do not allow it.
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