These Exercise Trampolines Are Changing the Game—Personal Trainers Swear By Them, but Few Know Why!

Ever wonder if you can sweat buckets and still spare your joints the usual punishment? Sounds like a riddle, right? As a lifelong distance runner, I’ve always hunted for low-impact cardio workouts that actually push me—but without the relentless pounding on the pavement. Then, out of nowhere, I stumbled onto something that flipped my fitness world upside down: exercise trampolines. Remember those backyard bounce-fests from childhood? Well, they’ve now morphed into a legit high-intensity, low-impact workout called rebounding, where you literally jump your way to burning calories (think 300 to 600 in a session!) while giving your knees and ankles a much-needed break. If you’re tired of the usual suspects—exercise bikes, rowers—and crave a workout that’s as fun as it is effective, bouncing on a mini trampoline might just be your new best friend. Curious about which trampolines make the cut and what to look for before you leap? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

As a lifelong distance runner, I’ve had trouble finding low-impact cardio workouts that feel challenging enough when I’m not pounding the pavement. But that all changed when I discovered exercise trampolines. These use a similar style of trampoline to what you used to bounce around on as a kid, just with fitness in mind.

Known as rebounding, this type of exercise is considered a high-intensity movement that’s low impact. That sounds a little confusing, but it basically means using an exercise trampoline will make you sweat while still giving your joints a break. If you’re like me and crave a challenging lower impact workout that doesn’t include an exercise bike or rower, rebounding is a solid option to consider.

Best Exercise Trampolines

After all, jumping on a trampoline “allows you to burn anywhere between 300 to 600 calories, depending on the duration, without putting strain on your joints,” says Aly Giampolo, co-founder of The Ness, a beat-based trampoline cardio and sculpt workout platform. While rebounding workouts will get your heart rate up quickly, there are plenty of other health perks to consider, too. Nikki Gnozzio, CPT, lists off better balance, overall strength, and, of course, more fun. That last part is worth considering, especially if you’ve been struggling with workout motivation lately.

There’s not a ton of in-depth research into the perks of rebounding, but there is some. A 2024 scientific review found that rebounding can be great for enhancing blood circulation, bone health, and balance. And a small, 2018 study of 18 women found that participants were able to lower their blood pressure and improve their VO2 max—a marker of cardiovascular fitness—on a 12-week rebounding program.

Of course, you need a trampoline before you can try this out. According to the personal trainers we spoke with, a trampoline’s tension, adjustability, maximum weight, sturdiness, and size should all factor into your decision.

What to Consider

Tension

Tension is the tightness and level of resistance you’ll have on the trampoline as you jump. “Smaller exercise trampolines will be more resistant (have higher tension) because they sit closer to the ground, and you don’t want to be tapping the ground with each jump,” says Sydney Sherman, NASM-CPT. “They’re meant to absorb the shock as you land your jump, which is why they’re a great low-impact option for those of us with sensitive joints or coming back from an injury.”

Adjustability

Some trampolines allow you to tweak the settings to better suit your needs. An adjustable handle is key (if your trampoline has a handle), Gnozzio says. But some will also allow you to adjust the tension to create a bouncier or less bouncy feeling.

Maximum Weight And Sturdiness

The maximum weight limit for an exercise trampoline will be different based on how it is constructed or the brand. Generally, the weight limit often varies from 250 to 450 pounds. The sturdiness of an exercise trampoline will also vary, but you’ll want to make sure it has rubber grip covers for the legs to stay in place (and not scrape your floors) and a handlebar that doesn’t easily move for stability.

Size

Sure, you’re already aware that your trampoline needs to fit in your room. But you need plenty of room around it, like a foot on either side, just to be safe. “A lot of trampoline workouts involve arm movements, so you’ll want to have space around you, as well as above you for jumping,” says Gnozzio.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to factor in your ceiling height. A minimum 8-foot ceiling height is recommended, according to Melissa Cantillo, ACE-certified personal trainer and fitness manager at Canyon Ranch. You don’t need to bounce in a room with an extra-high ceiling since you push into the trampoline more than you jump up, she explains. “Your feet may come off the trampoline anywhere from an inch to 8 inches depending on the workout,” Cantillo says.

How We Chose

We’ve continuously researched and updated our list of the best exercise trampolines since we first published this story in 2021. To find the best exercise trampolines of 2026, we consulted with six personal trainers for their recommendations on elements to consider. We also got feedback from individual trampolines, taking careful note of the pros and cons of each. From there, we researched the most popular, top-rated exercise trampolines, stacking them up against expert feedback and advice. Only trampolines that met our strict criteria made the final list.

Tension Type	Elastic cord
Adjustable?	Yes
Size	45 x 45 x 12.5 in
Maximum Weight	325 lb

There are a lot of brands to choose from, but JumpSport stands out as one that’s stood the test of time. “JumpSport has been around since 1996 and is a well-respected brand,” Cantillo says. The brand’s mini trampolines line, which includes the JumpSport 530 Pro, popularized the bungee cord system that’s used in many exercise trampolines, she points out.

This trampoline uses 36 adjustable elastic cords for a quieter bounce, with seven firmness settings to help you find your ideal tension. It also uses 16-gauge steel tubing for durability, which is why you can use this trampoline inside or outside (just make sure you bring it back indoors after a good bouncing session to extend the life of your trampoline).

The JumpSport 530 Pro has an extension skirt to protect your feet in case you accidentally land on the cords. The legs are slightly arched at the top to lower the risk your trampoline will tip over. If space is a premium at your place, simply remove the legs and stash your trampoline in a closet or up against a wall to free up floorspace. The only potential downside of this trampoline is that it isn’t cheap. That makes the JumpSport 530 Pro a better fit for people who know they’ll get regular use out of it vs. rebounding newbies.

Read more: Best Under-Desk Treadmills

Tension Type	Elastic cord
Adjustable?	Yes
Size	40 x 40 x 13 in.
Maximum Weight	330 lb

Many fitness trampolines have removable legs, but some are easier to get on and off than others. While some require some serious muscle and maneuvering to get these in and out, the Leaps & Bounds Bungee Rebounder has legs that just screw into the bottom, creating a pretty flat, easy-to-store surface when you’re ready to stash it away.

This trampoline comes in your choice of 40- and 48-inch diameters. (This is the 40-inch model, but you can upgrade to the 48-inch option if you have the room for it.) The Bungee Rebounder uses adjustable elastic cords for quiet bouncing, along with a durable carbon steel frame.

Leaps & Bounds offers rare perks you won’t see with most other exercise trampoline brands: You can return this after 30 days if it’s not a good fit, and the trampoline comes with a lifetime warranty. While this is minor, it’s still worth mentioning: This trampoline comes in your choice of seven cord colors. Just be aware that if you want to tack on a stability bar, it will set you back an extra $93.

Tension Type	Elastic cord
Adjustable?	Yes
Size	39 x 39 x 11 in.
Maximum Weight	280 lb

Plenty of trampolines have features to help you break them down into a smaller size for storage. The Skybound Boogie Bounce Elite takes that even further, with a trampoline that folds in half like a taco and slides into an included carrying bag. The trampoline is relatively small to begin with—it has a 39-inch diameter—but that works in your favor when it comes to storage.

There’s a lot more to love about this trampoline, though. It has a built-in, adjustable handlebar for balance, which is especially handy given that smaller bouncing surface. The frame and skirt are already installed once it arrives, so you can simply snap in the legs and handlebar to get bouncing within minutes.

If you’re looking for workout guidance, you’ll appreciate the free one-month trial of the Boogie Bounce app. It shares more than 100 routines you can flip through. After that, it’s $4.99 a month.

Tension Type	Resistance bands
Adjustable?	No
Size	36 x 36 x 8.75 in
Maximum Weight	250 lb

The Stamina 36-inch Mini Trampoline has a petite enough size that won’t hog your workout space. It’s also just over $50, making it the most affordable option on our list.

In addition to its smaller circumference, it has detachable rubber legs you can pop out to prop against a wall or slide under your bed. Taylor Beebe, CPT points out that the weight capacity is also a bit lower than the other models—250 pounds—but the whole thing collapses for convenience. She also praises the included Müüv app that offers trampoline workouts.

This trampoline uses resistance bands instead of steel coils, which likely contributes to its lower weight limit. So, if you weigh more than 250 pounds, it’s best to look for a different model, like the Leaps & Bounds Rebounder. It also doesn’t have a handlebar for added stability, although the 49.5-inch model does.

Tension Type	Elastic cord
Adjustable?	Yes
Size	39.4 x 39.4 x 13.4 in
Maximum Weight	285 lb

It makes sense that you don’t want to shell out a ton of money if you’re new to rebounding. The Sunny Health Springless trampoline delivers the basics at a relatively moderate price tag, allowing you to get a sense of how much you’ll actually use your rebounder before diving into a more premium option.

The trampoline has a less-common square shape, which tends to provide a more consistent, uniform bounce across the entire mat. Since this trampoline is on the smaller side, that’s especially handy. The smaller size (and removable legs) also means it won’t hog a lot of room at your place.

The Sunny Health Springless comes with the free SunnyFit app, which includes rebounding workouts to get you started. Because this is a smaller trampoline with a lower maximum weight, it’s not a good fit for everyone. But if you’re just starting out, it’s definitely worth a look.

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Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.