There are a lot of misconceptions about the trampoline, and even when people don’t have misconceptions, they often don’t know much about this amazing piece of equipment. Here are six essential, interesting, or fun facts about our favorite way to bounce:

1. Humans have always loved to bounce!
We know this from the Inuit, who have a very special annual festival where the centerpiece is a trampoline. They’ve been creating trampolines out of seal skins for as long as anyone can remember, and with a culture that’s over 4,000 years old, that’s a long time! His festival is called Nulakataq, which means “throwing”. Festival participants bounce off the trampoline and throw candies and other goodies at the rest of the guests.

2. Having a trampoline will not ruin your garden.
Unlike those kiddie pools that block out sunlight, leaving you with a yellow circle of grass, diving boards are designed to let sunlight through. You don’t have to worry about spoiling your greenery if you decide to buy a trampoline. On the other hand, since the grass will still be perfectly healthy, you’ll still need to cut it! Fortunately, trampolines are pretty easy to get out of the way.

3. Trampolines are not inherently dangerous.
The truth of the matter is that playing and moving around are dangerous in and of themselves. Trampolines are not inherently dangerous. However, like any exciting sport, they require us to take safety precautions. Make sure your trampoline is well maintained. Only buy from a reputable seller (or visit a reputable trampoline gym or trampoline park) that has springs covered with proper safety gear, nets, or padded safety boards to prevent falls. Do not use a trampoline that is torn or otherwise damaged.

4. The trampoline is great exercise!
Jumping on a trampoline is a great way to get a great cardio workout, strengthen your legs, strengthen your bones and joints, and strengthen your core. Really, what more could you ask for? What about the benefits of doing strenuous exercise, without feeling like you did it? Yes, studies show that trampolines have such a positive effect on mood that you can work out as hard as you would in another activity, but feel like you didn’t work as hard.

5. Trampolines are not just toys.
Sure, you get a great workout, but in the end, you can do the same thing with a basketball; they’re still essentially toys, right? Well, someone should mention that to both the space program and the military. Trampolines are considered essential for several different types of training programs. They can help students gain better spatial awareness, balance and coordination in very safe circumstances, skills they will need in decidedly less safe circumstances in the future. Does it look like a toy to you?

6. You’re not too old for a trampoline.
Granted, trampolines have been around for a while, and they’re great exercise, and astronauts use them for training. “But,” you think to yourself, “I’m not an astronaut. Surely people will think it’s silly that I’m jumping.” Absolutely not! You don’t have to be a kid or a rider to enjoy all the benefits a trampoline has to offer.

Everyone from suburban moms to your favorite celebrities are “jumping” on the trampoline bandwagon…and a quick internet search for a “trampoline park near me” will likely prove it. You’ll find that many local trampoline parks and gyms have plenty of great options for adults, including adult-only fitness classes. Who knows, you might even bump into a famous face…if Madonna, Julianne Hough and Victoria Beckham are all fans of jumping to get healthy, why shouldn’t you be?