Gymnastic Mats

The importance of mats in gymnastics cannot be overstressed. If a gymnast falls or does not do a trick correctly, serious injury can occur. Mats reduce this risk of these injuries while providing a safe place for gymnasts to test new tricks or practice old ones they have already known. The stability of most mats provides support for gymnasts’ wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, and necks without compromising the tricks appearance.

In most competitions, mats are only used as a safety device. Mats are used with young aged gymnasts to Olympic gymnasts. It is usually mandatory by most gym rules that the mats be used at all times. Open access gyms have mats available for use or have a set of mats that is not to be moved from the activity areas.

Mats are designed from a soft but sturdy plastic-like material containing vinyl and rubber. They are stuffed with soft foam that absorbs some of the energy released when a gymnast falls, or lands a trick. They are usually designed into rectangular or square sections to provide an easy way for the mat to be folded and stored easily but some can be large square pallets that are rolled and stored when not in use.

The style of mats in use is determined by the event you are participating in, the gym or competition, and in some cases, your personal preference. The larger, square mats are generally thicker and provide more comfort but the smaller mats usually have more support. Most of the smaller mats contain Velcro flaps at the ends so they can be linked together and made longer. This comes in handy for long combinations of flips and tricks and also for group stretching and training.

When using mats for general flipping, practicing, or training, always make sure you are supervised by a spotter. Make sure that you have plenty of room to complete your stunts without injury. Never use a mat while someone else is, unless it is part of a routine or you are supervised by an adult. Make sure that other people in the gym are aware of you using the mat before you begin to prevent someone walking in your way and someone being injured.

Always remember to use proper landing techniques when landing on a mat. The correct way to land is with knees bent slightly, feet together, arms straight in front of you with palms down, and head facing straight out at a slight upward angle. This landing stance will insure a safer landing and gives you plenty of room to step back or forward should you start to fall. The proper landing stance on a mat is also designed to minimize the energy jolted out of the heels when landing. In some competitions, landing must be completed in a specific way and points are counted off for stepping off of the mat or stepping at all.

Mats can vary in price greatly. The smaller style of mats can run anywhere from $100 to $750. This varies by manufacturer and store. The larger style of mats can cost up to $5,000 a piece because of the larger size and fabric needed to make them. They are also more efficient when using them in a large gym. Most are varyingly around $750 to $1,000 but the style and store purchased from make a big difference. As mats come in so many different shapes, thicknesses, and sizes, there is no way to give a good estimate on pricing. They can usually be found in gymnastics magazines or specialty sports shops but many general sports shops have links to other larger corporations that can supply you on discount.