How to Upgrade Your Home Gymnastics Training Space

Your little gymnast will need the proper equipment to safely train at home. Adding cork flooring or a foam pit, for example, can help them advance their skills while reducing risk of injury.

Alternatively, tumbling mats provide a soft landing and conveniently fold up to give them more floor space. Training bars can also be useful to improve strength and work on moves at a specific height.

Tumbling Sets

There are a variety of home gymnastics equipment options to choose from. Some are large and require a specific space, while others are smaller and more versatile. Many are portable, allowing you to practice gymnastics moves in your own backyard or other area that’s more convenient for you.

Using home equipment for gymnastics training can help you improve your balance and flexibility while building confidence. The best equipment is made from high-quality materials that are durable enough to withstand the rigors of regular use and frequent washing. Some are even designed to be easily moved between homes or into a storage shed.

Tumbling is a specialized subset of gymnastics that involves performing acrobatic passes on a spring raised floor. At a competitive level, athletes connect multiple tumbling passes in a routine and are scored based on difficulty, clean forms and demonstration.

Air Rolls

Adding a few pieces of training equipment can help a gymnast take their skills to the next level. While they can always go to a gym for more advanced moves, outfitting their home is an economical alternative.

The Air Roll, for example, is designed to help young gymnasts learn front and back handsprings. It’s soft, bouncy and available in three different sizes to suit all body types. It’s also great for a variety of other gymnastics movements such as press handstands and glide kips.

Other training equipment to consider includes spotting belts. These are strips of flexible rubber that can be used to stop a child’s fall or movement that could cause injury, and they’re especially convenient for those who practice at home. Air tumble mats are another helpful addition. They’re inflatable and deflate for easy storage. Vault boards are a bit of a commitment and require ample space to ensure they won’t accidentally hit walls or other equipment, but they’re an excellent choice for gymnasts looking to advance their vaulting abilities.

Foam Learning Beams

Foam learning beams are a great way to add more confidence and height to your training space. Providing the perfect surface for beginner gymnasts to practice advanced moves without risking injury. They are also useful for young children to work on skills they may not be ready to try on a competition beam just yet.

These mats are incredibly safe and can be used on their own or with other equipment. They are 2.5 inches thick, ensuring that your gymnast has plenty of cushioning under them should they fall off. They are easily cleaned and can be rolled up for storage.

Most balance beams have Velcro on either end so that two can be joined together to create a longer training area. They are incredibly light and easy to move if you need to change the layout of your room or put them away. This makes them a good investment for future-proofing your home gymnastics setup.

Balance Balls

The fitness ball is a versatile piece of equipment that can help gymnasts improve a variety of skills. It can be used for strength training by standing on it and performing single leg raises or toe taps, or for flexibility training by sitting on it and doing lunges with a twist or shoulder stretches. It can also be used for balance training by balancing on one foot or by putting the legs of a chair up against it for stability exercises such as planks.

The BOSU ball, a round exercise ball that’s flat on one side and dome-shaped on the other, can add instability to workouts by requiring muscles to work harder to maintain their position on an unstable surface. It can also be used to perform a number of core, balance, and strength exercises.

Remember that, regardless of what type of equipment is in your home gym, gymnasts should always practice on padded floors and keep all equipment properly secured at all times. Practicing gymnastics without proper safety measures can lead to injury, even for professional athletes.