Mini Trampolines for off-ice figure skating training

[FigureSpins]

Opinions, comments, resources, please for the use of mini-trampolines as a method of off-ice training for figure skaters.

I found this: http://askmaryrd.com/2012/02/12/jumping-on-the-mini-trampoline-30-days-later/

I remember skate@delaware used one successfully.

Any concerns?

[Query]

They look lots of fun to me.

If you try, tell all.

Concerns? Don't jump with your skates on!    And don't bounce through the roof. 

Could be an "attractive nuisance" for kids.

Some sports store may have one on display that you could try.

[nicklaszlo]

Any concerns?

They're associated with spinal cord injuries.

[Query]

The original poster is a coach, so I assume she understands injuries, and will do the research, and won't let kids play with it unattended.

Here is one for $35 - small and no outside nets, so probably not for stunts.

A local skating school has the kids play on trampolines. I took one of their adult ice dance clinics. The rink had reserved the exercise room for other purposes one day, so the coaches cheerfully brought out the trampoline. [These are the coaches that make everyone jump on and off bleachers. They also make the kids run up and down steps. A bit hardcore.] It was a lot of fun, though some adults were afraid to try, and some of us were heavy enough to touch the surface to the floor while jumping. Adult models are stiffer.

One recommendation from the net I don't understand: it said it is safer to wear appropriate exercise shoes. Why not go barefoot?

[Clarice]

I just jog on my mini-tramp - easier on my knees.  And, yes, I wear athletic shoes - I wouldn't want to have to hop off the thing onto the ground barefoot.

[jbruced]

I use my mini trampoline for developing the lower leg muscles. Most of the time I stand on one foot and move the other leg as I would if it was my free leg when skating. I also include a rise & fall bend in the "skating" leg/knee. It really challenges your sense of balance if you close your eyes, even if you are standing on both feet.

[so_jesslovescats]

One recommendation from the net I don't understand: it said it is safer to wear appropriate exercise shoes. Why not go barefoot?

It's super easy to break toes.....At least thats why we always had to wear socks  when we bounced as kids.