- Every 10 cm of pit depth under an 8ft round frame is about 0.47 m³ of soil; under a 12ft one, about 1.05 m³.
- Plum's 8ft kit lists a retaining wall and a vented pad; EXIT frames add a net between mat and pad.
- Two EXIT Silhouette Ground frames ship without a net and are listed for 14 years and older.
- Stated user limits: 120 kg (EXIT 10 x 7ft), 100 kg (EXIT 8ft, Salta).
The comparison at a glance
| Model | Rating | Shape and size | Net | Ground-level detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Plum Play In Ground 8ft with Enclosure | 4.3/5 from 3 ratings | Round 8ft (240 cm listed) | Included in this version | Retaining wall, vented pad | Amazon |
 EXIT In Ground 12ft Black Edition | 4.7/5 from 17 ratings | Round 12ft | Included, curved poles | Foot Protection System | Amazon |
 Salta Comfort Edition Ground 7 x 5ft | 5/5 from 1 ratings | Rectangular 7 x 5ft (214 x 153 cm) | Included, zips both sides | 44 springs, 27 cm edge | Amazon |
 EXIT Silhouette Ground 10 x 7ft | 5/5 from 2 ratings | Rectangular 10 x 7ft (305 x 214 cm) | Sold separately | 72 springs, 120 kg | Amazon |
 EXIT Silhouette Ground 8ft | 5/5 from 1 ratings | Round 8ft (243 cm) | Sold separately | 42 springs, 100 kg | Amazon |
The 5 models in detail
4.3/5 from 3 ratings
Plum Play In Ground 8ft with Enclosure
An 8ft frame the seller says is designed to sink into the ground, with a retaining wall that keeps soil from falling under the mat and a vented, UV-treated pad. This version includes the enclosure net and a spring loading tool.
- Shape and size
- Round 8ft (240 cm listed)
- Net
- Included in this version
- Ground-level detail
- Retaining wall, vented pad
- Retaining wall in the kit
- Vented pad lets air out
- Galvanised against ground moisture, per the seller
- Flat-packed: assembly comes on top of the dig
4.7/5 from 17 ratings
EXIT In Ground 12ft Black Edition
A 12ft round sunken frame with double conical springs, curved net poles and a zip entry. EXIT's Foot Protection System adds a net between mat and pad to stop feet slipping into the springs.
- Shape and size
- Round 12ft
- Net
- Included, curved poles
- Ground-level detail
- Foot Protection System
- Largest mat on the page
- Spare parts and a 2-year warranty
- Biggest pit to dig, 12ft across
5/5 from 1 ratings
Salta Comfort Edition Ground 7 x 5ft
A 7 x 5ft (214 x 153 cm) frame with 44 double conical springs of 140 mm under a 27 cm protective edge, and a net that zips from both sides. The listing gives 100 kg, a 160 x 99 cm jumping surface and 20 cm height, 200 cm with the net.
- Shape and size
- Rectangular 7 x 5ft (214 x 153 cm)
- Net
- Included, zips both sides
- Ground-level detail
- 44 springs, 27 cm edge
- Spring and edge sizes given
- Smallest footprint here
- Listing says it stands 20 cm above ground: check the manual
5/5 from 2 ratings
EXIT Silhouette Ground 10 x 7ft
A 10 x 7ft (305 x 214 cm) rectangular ground frame with 72 galvanised springs of 16.5 cm, four metal legs and the feet safety system. EXIT lists it for 14 years and older with a 120 kg maximum user weight; it ships without a net.
- Shape and size
- Rectangular 10 x 7ft (305 x 214 cm)
- Net
- Sold separately
- Ground-level detail
- 72 springs, 120 kg
- 120 kg stated user weight
- 72 springs
- Net sold separately
- Outside CE marking without a net, per the listing
5/5 from 1 ratings
EXIT Silhouette Ground 8ft
An 8ft (243 cm) round ground frame with 42 galvanised springs of 14.1 cm, three legs and the feet safety system, powder-coated over the galvanising. Listed for 14 and over with a 100 kg maximum, without a net.
- Shape and size
- Round 8ft (243 cm)
- Net
- Sold separately
- Ground-level detail
- 42 springs, 100 kg
- Smallest round pit here
- Galvanised and powder-coated
- Net sold separately
- For 14 years and older
When an in-ground trampoline makes sense
An in-ground trampoline puts the mat close to lawn level, so nobody climbs a ladder and the frame almost disappears from the kitchen window. The trade-off is a weekend of digging and a fixed position.
| Point | In-ground | Standing frame |
|---|---|---|
| Mat height | Near lawn level; height fields of 19 to 20 cm on the EXIT and Salta frames | About 76 cm on HyperMotion's 10ft |
| Access | Step on | Ladder, often supplied |
| Work | Pit, drainage, airflow, then assembly | Assembly only |
| Moving it later | Pit to fill | Lift and carry |
It suits a level garden with soil that drains, owners who plan to keep the trampoline for years, and families who dislike a tall frame on the lawn.
Digging the pit for an in-ground trampoline
- Find out what runs under the lawn: water pipes, drains, cables. Ask before you dig.
- Choose level ground clear of fences, sheds and tree roots, with the clearance the manual gives.
- Mark the outline from the frame size in the manual, not from the size in the title.
- Lift the turf in strips and keep it for the edges.
- Dig to the depth and shape the manual sets for your model and size.
- Fit the retaining wall or edge first, then the frame, springs and pad.
How much soil comes out
Soil volume is area times depth, and dug soil bulks up once loose. Plan a skip, raised beds or a bank before the first spade goes in.
| Frame | Area | Soil per 10 cm of depth |
|---|---|---|
| 7 x 5ft (214 x 153 cm) | 3.3 m² | About 0.33 m³ |
| 8ft round (244 cm) | 4.7 m² | About 0.47 m³ |
| 10 x 7ft (305 x 214 cm) | 6.5 m² | About 0.65 m³ |
| 12ft round (366 cm) | 10.5 m² | About 1.05 m³ |
Drainage under an in-ground trampoline
A pit collects rain. On heavy clay, common across much of England, it can hold water for days and turn into a pond under the mat.
Test the soil first
Dig a test hole the depth of a spade, fill it with water and see whether it empties overnight. If it does not, plan a gravel base and a soakaway or drain with a garden contractor before the frame goes in.
Plum and EXIT list galvanised frames against ground moisture, but standing water still sits against steel and pads. Drainage comes before the trampoline, not after.
Airflow and the retaining wall
Each landing pushes air down under the mat. On open legs it escapes sideways; in a pit it needs a way out, or the in-ground trampoline loses bounce and the mat drums.
Vents in the pad
Plum lists a vented, UV-treated pad on its 8ft in-ground trampoline for this reason. A gap left between pad and lawn does the same job on other frames, as the manual shows.
Retaining walls
A retaining wall lines the pit so the sides cannot slump onto the springs. Plum's kit includes one; for the others, follow EXIT's and Salta's manuals on how the pit edge is held.
- Plum: retaining wall and vented pad in the kit.
- EXIT 12ft: Foot Protection System net between mat and pad.
- EXIT Silhouette Ground: feet safety system over the springs.
- Salta: a 27 cm protective edge over 44 springs, and a net underneath.
Net or no net on an in-ground trampoline
A low mat does not remove the need for a net. RoSPA's guidance includes an enclosure net and padding over the springs and frame, one jumper at a time and an adult watching.
EXIT ships both Silhouette Ground frames without a net, lists them for 14 years and older, and says they fall outside CE marking for that reason. The EXIT net is sold separately.
The Plum kit here is the version with an enclosure, and the EXIT 12ft and Salta come with theirs. Our trampoline safety page covers supervision.
Few ratings on in-ground trampoline listings
On amazon.co.uk this category is mostly EXIT, with Plum and Salta alongside. The five listings carry between 1 and 17 ratings each, too few to read much into, so we lean on what each seller puts in the box and in the bullets.
What the listings do tell you
- Spring count and length: 72 of 16.5 cm and 42 of 14.1 cm on the EXIT Silhouettes, 44 of 140 mm on the Salta.
- Maximum user weight on three of the five.
- Whether a net is in the box.
Standing versions of these shapes are on our rectangular trampoline page, and the Plum kit sits with its siblings on the Plum trampolines page.
Mistakes with an in-ground trampoline
- Digging before checking for pipes and cables.
- Skipping drainage on clay soil.
- Sealing the pit edge so tightly that air cannot escape.
- Leaving the net off for younger children.
- Choosing the size by the lawn alone: our size guide counts the clearance.
In autumn, leaves and water gather on a low mat; a fitted weather cover sized to the frame keeps them off.
Frequently asked questions
- How deep is the pit for an in-ground trampoline?
As deep as the manual sets for your model and size. Depth depends on the frame and spring length, so dig only once the manual is in hand.
- Can any trampoline be put in the ground?
No. Choose one the listing says is built for it, such as Plum In Ground or EXIT's ground ranges; a standard frame relies on open legs for airflow.
- Is planning permission needed?
Not usually for a garden trampoline. Listed buildings, conservation areas and shared gardens can differ, so ask the local council if unsure.
- Can it be moved later?
Not easily. The frame comes out, but the pit has to be filled and returfed.
- Does a sunken frame catch the wind?
Far less than one on legs, since soil surrounds it and the mat sits low. Follow the manual on fixing the frame and on removing the net in storms.
- What about a rectangular pit?
Salta's 7 x 5ft and EXIT's 10 x 7ft are rectangular ground frames. The corners need squaring off, and the soil volume table above applies.
Explore next: Rectangular trampolinesThe Plum trampoline rangeTrampoline safety rules