The World of Gymnastics

Gymnastics leotards not only have a great verity of fabric, colors, patterns, cuts, and styles, but they also have many different sizes. After your gymnast picks out the perfect gymnastics leotard, all you have left to do is measure her to ensure you get the right size.

Keep in mind gymnastics leotards and dance leotards have different purposes and are made to fit different. Gymnastics leotards are made to fit much tighter. To ensure the perfect fit that all gymnasts desire, once again, make sure you measure before you buy, DO NOT GUESS WHAT SIZE!

Measuring is extremely important when purchasing a new girls gymnastics leotard. If you buy one that is to big your gymnast won’t be able to wear it due to the bagginess and improper fit. If you buy one too small they also will not be able to wear it. It will be very uncomfortable and will ride up their whole gymnastics class. To avoid wasting your money on the wrong size gymnastics leotard here are some guidelines for measuring your gymnast for the perfect fitting leotard.

The Way to Measure for a Gymnastics Leotard

1. Girth- Take your measuring tape and measure from the top of one shoulder, down the chest, between the legs, up the back to the top of the same shoulder you started at. This will give you your girth measurement.

2. Bust- Take your tape measure and wrap it around the chest at the biggest and fullest part.

3. Waist- Use your measuring tape and wrap it around the narrowest part of your torso. Make sure you do not to this over your pants or shirt (this will give a false reading)

4. Hips- Measure around the largest and widest part of your lower body, where your booty is.

All of these measurements are in inches. To get the best result make sure you do not measure over thick or baggy clothes!

Many parents wonder if one gymnastics leotard is enough or if they need more. This is a great question! The first thing to keep in mind is gymnastics leotards can get expensive. Not everyone can afford an excessive amount of leotards. Some gymnasts have one gymnastics leotard while other gymnasts have forty-five! Both of these are extremes. My general rule of thumb for the amount of leotards you should have is based on the amount of days you go to gymnastics. If you go two days a week then I think two gymnastics leotards are a perfect amount. If you go to gymnastics class six days a week then I think you should have six leotards for gymnastics. This amount should not include your team leotard. This is only the workout leotard I am talking about.

There are several reasons I think this is a good rule of thumb. First, this will keep a gymnast from wearing a sweaty, smelly, dirty leotard to class without being washed. Having a few different ones will allow parents (or gymnasts) more time to wash the previously used ones. This will cut down on washing gymnastic leotards non stop. It is also nice to have extra so you can keep a second in your gymnastics bag at all times just incase something happens and you need a back up.

Whether you can afford it or not, having many leotards for gymnastics can be a waste of money. What is the point of having this many gymnastics leotards when the only place you can wear them to is gymnastics class. You can take the money you would spend on these extra leotards and spend it on a private lesson or an extra gymnastics class. This would be MUCH more beneficial for your gymnast!

Gymnastics leotards are so cute theses days compared to when I was a gymnast. Back then (only 10 years ago) there was one main style and all were solid colors, yuck! How boring is this?

Today’s gymnastics leotards are a totally different story. There is such a wide selection: sparkles, studs, rhinestones, shimmers, glitter, cutouts, crisscross, velour, lycra, high cut, low cut, embroidery, flowers, hearts, flames, razor back, metallic, long sleeved, three quarter sleeved, sleeveless, etc. Variety is the keyword for gymnastic leotards of the twenty-first century!

It is very hard to pick out the perfect leotard because of the great variety but variety is what makes it so much fun! Here are a few tips that will help you and your gymnast pick out the perfect gymnastics leotard specifically for her.

• MATERIAL- Make sure you select a material that your gymnast like the feel of, especially if they have sensitive skin. Many of my gymnasts are picky and if they select the wrong material they tend not to wear it because it is, “too itchy.”

• CUT- This is usually all about your gymnast preference, do they like high cut or lower cut styles around their legs?

• SLEEVE STYLE-Do they like sleeveless, three quarter sleeves, or long sleeves. Many people choose sleeveless because it much cooler when working out and doing gymnastics.

• CUTOUTS- These are cute, little holes that are cut out on the sides or in the back of a leotard. You and your gymnast have to decide if this is appropriate for her and if she would be comfortable in it.

• STRAPS- There is many different strap types. Gymnastics leotards now have spaghetti straps, crisscrossed, racer back, etc. Make sure you select one that is comfortable for your gymnast. If she wears a bra please select one that doesn’t show her straps or any part of her bra; this is extremely tacky.

• COLOR and DESIGN- First you must decide what style, cut, material, and straps, you want. Now comes the fun part! It is now time to select the color and design that you have been longing for!

GOOD LUCK PICKING YOUR PERFECT NEW GYMNASTICS LEOTARD!

Gymnastics grips are extremely important when it comes to a gymnast’s uneven bar success. One thing more important than the gymnastics hand grips themselves is the fit. If the gymnastics grips are too big or too small they are worthless and will do their job insufficiently!

In order to get the perfect fitting gymnastics grips you need to know the gymnast’s grip size. You can ensure you get the correct grip size very easily; all you have to do is measure!

When you begin to measure for dowel grips have the gymnast make her hand straight.  Take a ruler or tape measure and measure from the bottom of the palm (where the wrist and hand meet) to the very top of the middle finger (do not include finger nails, which shouldn’t be there anyway). Make sure you measure the underside of the hand, not the front. The measurement should be in inches. Once you get the final measurement all you have left to do is pick out the brand and style of gymnastics grips you want. Go to the sizing chart, look at the different grips sizes and select what grip size matches your measurements. Make sure you double check the grip size you selected.

Both hands should be the same size but on rare occasions I get a gymnast who has one hand that is significantly bigger than the other. If this is the case, you will need to measure both hands and buy two different size dowel grips that are the same brand and style.

How to Measure for Palm grips

Gymnastics grips are very essential when it comes to a gymnast’s uneven bar success. One thing more vital than the gymnastics hand grips themselves is the fit. If the gymnastics grips are too big or too small they are useless and will not do their job sufficiently!

In order to get the ideal fitting gymnastics grips you need to know the gymnast’s grip size. You can guarantee you get the correct grip size very easily; all you have to do is measure!

When measuring for palm grips, make the gymnast opens her hand were it is completely straight.  Take a ruler or tape measure and measure from the bottom of the palm (where the wrist and hand meet) to the top of the palm (where the top of the palm and bottom of the middle finger meet). This should be measured in inches. After you get the gymnast’s measurement, the only thing left to do is select the type of palm grip you are going to buy. Check the sizing chart and see what grip size your child needs based on the brand and palm grip style you have selected. Make sure you double check this because there are many different grips sizes.

Both hands should be the same size but on few occasions I get a gymnast who has one hand that is considerably bigger than the other. If this is the case, you will need to measure both hands and buy two different size gymnastics grips that are the same brand and style. You will have to wear a different size palm grip on each hand.

One of the things a gymnast needs for gymnastics is a leotard; but not just any leotard, they needs to be a girls gymnastics leotards. Girls gymnastics leotards are much different then dance leotards. Gymnastics leotards are tight around the thighs which reduces wedgies. Dance leos are loose around the legs and are cut much higher which is not suitable for gymnastics.

Leotards for gymnastics have come a long way. Back in the day they were extremely plain and not very colorful; now days they are super cute. They come in all different colors, styles, patterns, materials, and designs.

There are two different types of gymnastics leos: workout and competition. A workout leotard is used only at gymnastics practice. They can consist of any color, cut, or style. Workout leotards are picked out and chosen by the gymnast based on their personal preference. Competition leotards are only used at gymnastics meets or gymnastics competitions. A Competition gymnastics leotard consists of the gymnast’s team colors and is more professional looking. They cannot contain holes in the back (cutouts), have crisscrossed straps, or be high cut. They have to have at least two inch straps but are usually long sleeved. A Competition gymnastics leotard is usually decided on by the gym owner, coaches, or the whole team.

When picking out competition leotards you must keep in mind to pick something that bra straps won’t hang out of. At gymnastics meets the gymnast can get a deduction if their straps (or any undergarments) are showing.

When kids walk into their first day of gymnastics you never know what they may wear. I have seen children come into the gym for class wearing things that not only make you laugh inside, but attire that makes it impossible for them to participate.

When it comes to gymnastics here are some things you shouldn’t wear to class. Do not wear jeans. You can’t move well in jeans, plus they have buttons and zippers that will scratch and chip the gymnastics equipment. Loose baggy shirts are also a no no. They can be dangerous because the gymnast could get caught up in the loose tee-shirt while tumbling. It is also very dangerous for the coach if they are spotting gymnasts with loose clothing. My co-worker spotted a gymnast on a back handspring and her finger got twisted in the gymnast’s baggy tee shirt which broke her finger in three places.

Don’t wear socks, they make you slip. All jewelry (except stud earrings) should not be worn. Believe me; getting a hoop earring caught and ripped out is not fun! If you are allowed to wear shorts at your gym make sure they are fitted and PLEASE wear undies under them! Way too many times my teenaged gymnast forgot to (or just chose not to) wear undies, and that is not a pretty sight. Another thing young children seem to wear are tights and skirts. These both are prohibited. It is very hard for a coach to spot a gymnast who is wearing a skirt or tights; this makes it is very slippery and it gets in the way of both, the gymnast and coach. Do not leave your hair down. Not only will your hair dangle in your face and get annoying but it can also be dangerous. If your hair is down it can get yanked out by your own hands while tumbling. Or even worse I have heard of girls getting their hair stuck in the trampoline springs, ouch!! Make sure you use only a ponytail holder in your hair. If you wear clips they will break and poke you when you do skills such as backward rolls, handstand forward rolls or even dive rolls.

If you follow these few simple attire rules you will be a much safer gymnast!

Many parents and children wonder what they should wear when starting their first day of gymnastics. Every gymnast should wear a gymnastics leotard! There are girls leotards and unitards (also known as a biketard), both of these are the proper gymnastics attire. A gymnastics leotard is cut like a one piece swim suit that lies right below the hips. Girls leotards can be sleeveless, three quarter sleeved, or long sleeved. A gymnastics unitard is a type of leotard that is cut halfway down the thigh (a leotard with shorts connected). Make sure the leotard is a gymnastics leotard because they are tight around the thighs. Dance leotards are too loose, ride up and give wedgies while doing gymnastics. If children do not feel comfortable in a gymnastics leotard they can purchase gymnastics shorts. Gymnastics shorts are tight fitting, like bike shorts and are worn over the leotard.

One question people always wonder but are too embarrassed to ask is, “do you wear underwear under gymnastics leotards”? The answer is no, a girls gymnastics leotard is like a swim suit there is no need to wear undies as long as your leotard is fitted. When girls get older they may feel more comfortable wearing something under their leotards. That is why they make skin colored underwear that is cut the same way as a gymnastics leotard.  You can get theses special under garments from any gymnastics catalog, online gymnastics websites, or sometimes at your local gym. You may also wear a bra under your leotard as long as it is not visible, not even the straps should show.

Make sure your gymnast has their hair in a ponytail. This will keep them from having their hair fall in their face.  If their hair isn’t hanging in their face they will be able to concentrate more on what they are doing instead of continuously pushing their hair out of the way.

Another thing a gymnast needs to bring to the gym is a gym bag. This way she will have somewhere to put her clothes, shoes, socks, water, and what ever else she may need to bring (inhaler, grips, wrist supports, braces, wraps, etc.).

Gymnastics Leotard

Gymnastics Unitard

Gymnastics Vaut Table

Who in their right mind would sprint at the speed of lighting down an eighty-two foot runway toward a big stationary object? A gymnast! And this stationary object that she is running towards is a gymnastics vault table.

The vault table is an apparatus that both men and women artistic gymnasts use. Vault is very different than all the other apparatuses, this is the only event where there is no routine performed.  If you turn your head or blink your eyes you could miss the vault; within seconds it’s over. Luckily, a gymnast gets two chances in a row to perform vault; the judge will judge both vaults and take the higher of the two scores. Another very unique thing about vault is, if a gymnast baulks they get no deductions and have thirty seconds to start over and attempt a new vault. If a gymnast baulks this means the gymnast runs down the runway and stops before he/she reaches the spring board. If a gymnast touches the spring board then stops and doesn’t go over the vault then this is considered their vault and they will receive a zero from the judges.

Vault is probably the hardest event to judge because it is so quick. The slightest mistakes can drop your score a whole lot. When vaulting a judge looks at many different things depending on the vault the gymnast will perform (there are many different types of vaults). There are five steps in a vault no matter what vault you attempt; there is the run, pre-flight, hand contact, post-flight, and the landing. Here are a few things the judge always judges when dealing with these five vaulting steps: how fast a gymnast runs, if their run accelerates as they get closer to the vault, the angle the gymnasts punches the spring board, the angle of their shoulders as they hit and leave the vault table, head position (must be neutral), the block off the vault (no bent arms), the height and distance when leaving the vault table, and a stuck landing. These are only some things a judge looks for no mater what vault the gymnast performs. A judge will look for much more with each specific vault.

Vault may take a split second to perform but is worth the same as any other event. There is so much energy, power, speed, and technique that go into a proper vault. If you follow and succeed at the five vaulting steps you will have a great, high scoring vault.

springboard