Trampolines Throughout History - From Toy to Tool

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Ann_Tan]Caroline Ann Tan
Millions of people around the world enjoy the exercise and entertainment that a backyard trampoline can provide. From calorie burning jumps to core muscle building balancing exercises, there are more ways to get a workout while having fun on a trampoline than any other piece of sports equipment. But have you ever wondered how this rebounding marvel came to be? Here are some facts about the history of the trampoline and how it's simple collection of trampoline parts work together to provide you with a once in a lifetime bouncing experience that you'll never forget.
Have you ever seen trapeze artist perform in a circus? Swinging back and forth high above the big top, these highly trained gymnasts depend on the safety net below to keep them from a serious fall or injury if they were to miss the bar during one of their tricks. Back in the 1930's a man named George Nissan was watching just such a performance when he was inspired to make the trampoline. He noticed that when the trapeze artists dismounted into the safety net, the elasticity of the net would send them back up into the air for one last flip or trick before they swung onto the ground.
Nissan thought that it would be wonderful if he could construct a trampoline mat that would provide this same bouncing ability to the athletes over and over again. That way, gymnasts could work on their flips, twists, and jumps without needing to climb back up and down the tall trapeze tower. Nissan assembled an iron frame and a canvas trampoline mat, and attached the two together with large metal springs. The result was the first modern trampoline, and even trampolines made commercially today still follow this simple design.
By the 1940's Nissan and his business partner were happily manufacturing   rel=nofollow [http://www.trampolinepartscenter.com/]trampolines out of their Cedar Rapids, Iowa factory, and thousands of children were busy bouncing around in their yards and school gyms. Then, when World War II broke out a few years later, the Armed Forces placed a big order for trampolines. They discovered that these toys could be useful tools for training pilots and navigators how to respond quickly in inverted, weightless situations. Those who were afraid of heights or falling could be taught to jump on the trampoline, and soon their fears were greatly reduced. It's amazing to think how many uses this simple machine actually has.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Trampolines-Throughout-History---From-Toy-to-Tool&id=5711509] Trampolines Throughout History - From Toy to Tool

Gymnastics Pit: Dos and Don'ts

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Scarlett_James]Scarlett James
DO NOT...
Do not land head first into the pit
Do not bury yourself under the pit blocks.
Do not attempt skills you cannot do by yourself safely
Do not land on your knees in the pit
Do not dig holes in the pit blocks
Do not throw foam out of the pit
Do not pick the foam pit blocks apart
Do not throw foam blocks at anyone's face
MAKE SURE...
Make sure you land in the pit!
Make sure you take turns going into the pit
Make sure only one gymnast at a time is in the pit
Make sure no one is in the pit before you use it
Make sure to land in a pike position if dropping from rope
Make sure the foam pit is fluffed regularly
*Make sure to clean out the foam pit every once in-awhile
*It is very important to take time and clean out the gymnastics pit a few times a year. Over time and with a lot of wear and tear the blocks start to flake apart. This causes a lot o dust and small foam pit pieces to be in the pit that often get into the gymnast's eyes. When you clean out foam pits you may never know what you may find in the bottom. Some of the common things are hair clips, headbands, ponytail holders, stud earrings, jewelry, socks (even though they aren't suppose to wear them), Band-Aids, etc. And you may even find a few crazy things; we have found glasses, retainers, hand grips, and a dead mouse.
Cleaning a foam pit out can be a very dirty job. Make sure you wear masks and even safety glasses to keep all the dust and flakes out of your mouth, nose, and eyes!
One of our gymnasts always got foam pieces in her eyes, so one day she came to class wearing swimming goggles! She wore the goggles the whole time she did pit tumbling...Needless to say she didn't get any foam in her eyes!
Scarlett James is a former gymnast and has been coaching gymnastics for over seven years. She coaches children of all ages and skill levels, from recreational to compulsory and optionals. Jessie created http://www.theworldofgymnastics.com to share her knowledge and eighteen years of experience with other gymnastics fanatics or those who want to know more about this great sport.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Gymnastics-Pit:-Dos-and-Donts&id=5716928] Gymnastics Pit: Dos and Don'ts