Gymnastic Equipment

The basic equipment used in gymnastics includes mats, bars, rings, beams, pommel horses, and vaulting horses, as well as springboards, grips, parallel bars, trampolines, and chalk. Some gyms, or gymnastics studios will use variations of these basic sets of equipments and may have less or more advanced equipment. If a piece of equipment is not in working condition, it should be removed from the area until it is fixed and safe to use.

Mats consist of a safe outer material that supports the gymnast and keeps him/her stable as well as providing a soft area for the gymnast to land should he/she fall. Some mats are designed to be able to link together to create a longer mat and fold up for easier transportation and storage. Although most mats are designed this way, mats can come in all shapes and sizes. There are large square mats for larger coverage, flat mats, and mats that are designed not only for safety but also for visual assistance in the gymnast’s routines.

Bars are used in both male and female gymnastics. In male gymnastics, there is just one high bar but in female gymnastics there are two bars that are uneven and set apart from each other. Under these bars is usually a mat in case the gymnast falls.

Rings are used in male gymnastics only. They consist of two metal or sturdy plastic rings that are attached to two separate cables leading to the ceiling. The cables must be supported and attached to the ceiling properly to insure safety.

Balance beams are used in female gymnastics only. They consist of a wood frame covered in a thin layer of padding and a soft plastic or leather outer covering. The padding is usually either a thin layer of foam or a thin layer of cotton stuffing type material. The balance beam is usually only 4 inches wide and can be up to 20 feet long.

Vaulting horses and pommel horses are usually created from metal support beams and a wood casing that is covered by a soft foam-like material and then covered by a leather material. The female vaulting horses are smooth and flat on the top but the male pommel horses have two metal handles on top of it that enable them to flip and turn on top of them.

The parallel bars are used in male gymnastics only. They consist of two parallel bars about two feet apart and about two feet off of the ground. While the length can vary, they are usually 6-8 ft long.

You can purchase bars, mats, vaulting horses, pommel horses, and rings for your home as well as other equipment such as springboards or trampolines. To install these, you must follow the instructions given with the product precisely. The equipment should be tested and double checked for faults before the gymnast uses it to insure safety.

All gymnastics equipment is unique and varies upon company manufactured under and the style of gymnastics it is being used for. The prices vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but can run anywhere from $20 per item to $1000+. The store’s prices can vary and the prices can vary depending on if you are buying them for a home gym or an organized studio. It is hard to determine the exact price of any gymnastics equipment item because there are so many different styles and manufacturers on the market.

Always remember that when using any gymnastics equipment, it is always important to check to make sure everything is safe before using it. Remember to use safety equipment such as chalk or grips when performing any gymnastics event, even at home.