gymnastics: what kit do you need?
What kit does your kid need to practice gymnastics?
There are many compelling reasons to introduce your child to gymnastics. One of them is that you don’t need much equipment to get started. Because the truth is that to learn the basic skills of gymnastics, you don’t need to buy anything – your child has it all already.
That is because to learn the fundamentals of gymnastics all your child needs is:
🤸♀️ Comfortable, form-fitting clothes. Loose, baggy clothing, such as oversized t-shirts or hoodies, can be a safety hazard as it can get caught on equipment or snag during movements. Leggings, shorts, and a fitted t-shirt or tank top are perfect.
If your child wants to attend a club or training sessions they might be asked to wear:
🤸♀️ For girls: A leotard
🤸♀️ For boys: Fitted shorts and a compression or fitted top.
🤸♀️ Note: Long hair will need to be tied back, and usually no jewelry, watches, or socks are worn in a gym.
That’s it! Gymnasts usually compete barefoot. However, if you’re practicing outside and your child wants to wear something on their feet, sneakers/trainers are preferable.
Some optional extras
Of course, if your child is enjoying gymnastics and wants to practice at home, there are items you can purchase to help them train. All of these are ‘nice to have’ rather than ‘need to have’, but make great gifts for children who love the sport.
Note: Always ensure these items are used on a soft surface (like grass or a carpet) and with adult supervision.
🤸♀️ Gymnastics mat: Think of a yoga mat with a bit more padding (for beginner exercises, a standard yoga mat is also fine). A proper folding ‘panel mat’ will provide extra support for practicing rolls, handstands, and basic tumbling at home.
🤸♀️ Balance beam: Home balance beams are slightly different from the ones you find in a gymnastics gym. For starters, most are laid directly on the ground (or have small feet to support them). Secondly, most will fold away, making them easy to store. Balance beams are ideal for children who want to practice balance and coordination.
🤸♀️ An Air Barrel or Air Roll: This is a more advanced piece of equipment and is used to help gymnasts learn the body shape for skills like handsprings and walkovers. You should only purchase this after your child has had some lessons and on the recommendation of the coach. It is a proper training tool and requires knowledge to be used effectively and safely.
