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Gymnastics is a popular exercise and sport that has been around since the 1800s. Like other exercises, gymnastics has several physical and mental health benefits. This activity improves bone health and strengthens a gymnast’s body. Additionally, doing gymnastics regularly will make your body more flexible and enhance your concentration. This activity also builds endurance and stamina.
Are you thinking of starting gymnastics this year? This blog discusses the gymnastic equipment you should be using as a beginner.
Gymnastic Apparel
Do you know that the clothing you wear has a huge impact on your gymnastics journey? So anyone who’s starting with gymnastics has to invest in the proper outfits, also called leotards. Besides being the required attire for all kinds of gymnastic costumes, people who’re learning the basics can also benefit from leotards.
Leotards are fitted yet stretchy clothes that allow gymnasts to move their bodies freely without being restricted by their clothes. They let gymnasts practice complex body movements easily. Additionally, leotards are light-weighted and let the body breathe while moving around constantly. Not to mention, leotards are quite sleek and flattering, which makes for some Instagram-worthy pictures!
Some gymnasts make the mistake of wearing beam shoes or grips in the initial stages of gymnastics training. These beam shoes are meant for experienced and professional gymnasts only. Wear these beam shoes and grips only during competitions or pro-level training sessions. For initial practice, we recommend going barefoot. You can wear socks if you want but remember that they can make the whole experience slippery and inconvenient. So even if you put on socks, you can remove them once they start getting in your way.
Gymnastic Mats
Most gyms have rubber, foam, or cork flooring, which keeps gymnasts safe while practicing different movements. Additionally, some gyms have vinyl floors or carpets to transform their gym into a secure and functional space. But, at home, you can’t change your room’s flooring when you start to learn gymnastics, as new flooring takes a lot of time and money to install. Instead, you can achieve the same results by purchasing and placing gymnastic mats.
These mats are soft and firm and keep your body protected from sudden trips and falls. Additionally, they also prevent any injuries when you’re practicing complex body movements on the floor. Gymnastic mats, like landing mats, dismount mats, throw mats, panel mats, and tumbling mats are one of the most important pieces of equipment you need for gymnastics. But the type of mats you choose depends on your age, your skill level, and the movements you want to try. The options are endless, so choose wisely!
Hoops, Balls, Ribbons, and Ropes
One of the most common types of gymnastics is Rhythmic gymnastics. In this type of event, gymnasts use different tools like balls, hoops, ribbons, and ropes to practice different body movements. If you want to build a career in this particular type of gymnastics, consider purchasing this specialized equipment.
Additionally, even if you don’t see yourself doing rhythmic gymnastics in the future, using tools in the initial stages of practicing gymnastics will help you improve your posture and discover better balance. Gymnast balls, in particular, enhance your strength, muscle tone, and body coordination.
Gymnastics Bars
Any gymnastic type or training session isn’t complete without a beginner gymnast trying to use bars to develop better balance. These portable and adjustable bars can take up a significant amount of space in your room, so it’s better to transform one room into a temporary gym. Like gymnastic mats, bars come in different shapes and sizes.
One of the most popular gymnastics bars includes uneven bars, which are between 6-8 feet. Beginner gymnasts use these bars to find their rhythm and discover different movement patterns. Another common bar type used in gymnastics is the horizontal bar which is a combination of different poles and cables. Once you have gained some experience in gymnastics, you can switch to parallel bars, which is the optimal training option for many pro-level gymnasts.
Balance Beam
These gymnastic tools are a timeless classic! This is a four-inch wide solid beam on which gymnasts perform different body movements, postures, and routines. They learn how to do handsprings, turns, and split jumps. The purpose of showing gymnastic movements using a solid beam is to develop flexibility and enhanced power.
Additionally, performing routines using a balance beam allows gymnasts to reach new heights through jumping. But you do need to consider your height when selecting a balance beam. If you’re on the shorter side, a low-heightened balance beam will be better suited for your starting gymnastics practice.
Still Rings
Have you ever tried playing with monkey bars in your childhood? If yes, you might be surprised to know that still rings are an enhanced version of the same old monkey bars. These rings are placed around 8 feet off the floor, and gymnasts use these rings to show graceful routines. Gymnasts that use still rings learn how to stabilize their bodies and develop upper body strength.
Gymnastics Vault
Another popular piece of gymnastics equipment is the vault. It is a unique gymnastic apparatus that many beginners and professional gymnasts practice on. The vault is three feet high and has a four-wide cushioned surface that lets gymnasts practice flips and other routines on it.
Gymnasts usually sprint down a long path and then land on the vault, performing different movements. If you see yourself learning and growing as a pro-level gymnast, starting with a vault will help you practice and master different routines.
Looking for Gymnastics Equipment? Try Reading Reviews on Outdoor Trends
With the help of these gymnastic tools, you can start your gymnastic journey from the comfort of your home. At Outdoor Trends, we publish recommendations and reviews for different indoor sports and exercise equipment, including gymnastic accessories, mini trampolines and rebounders, best throwing knives for self defense 2022, and arcade games.
Additionally, we discuss different outdoor gear, like the best natural gas grills to buy in 2022, best hiking and backpacking drones for 2022, and commuter e-bikes. Outdoor Trends is also an Amazon Smile Affiliate. If you purchase gymnastic apparel, rings, mats, bars, beams, and other accessories through our Amazon Smile Affiliate Link, Amazon will donate 0.5% of every purchase to the charity of your choice.
Reach out to us, buy gymnastic equipment, and start practicing!
