Why Kids Need Top-Quality Gymnastics Equipment
This is a very important question, with a pretty simple answer: because they deserve the best!
Gymnastics equipment is not something you can compromise on because your child’s safety is at stake. And while it’s all the same whether they wear brand-name or Costco jeans, practicing on a balance beam that’s not top-notch could have harmful consequences.
That said, you also don’t want to end up paying through the nose for a simple mat, and this is why you have to do your research before making a purchase.
To make things easier for you, we’ve created a list of both “best value” and “economy” home gymnastics equipment, together with their main advantages and disadvantages.
Fundamental Qualities of Kids’ Gymnastics Equipment
First things first, you should know the basic features to looks out for with kids’ gymnastics equipment.
Quality.
Always pay attention to the material of your gymnastic equipment piece (wood or fiberglass, vinyl or suede, etc). If you are not an expert you should consult online reviews or your child’s coach. Either way, the most important thing is to get good quality equipment because your child’s performance and safety largely depend on it.
Longevity.
Unless you want to shell out each month for repairs or replacements, you should consider the design and materials when buying gymnastics equipment. Most products will list the materials they’ve been made of, so again consulting and comparing is very important. It helps to familiarize yourself with recommended use.
Safety.
This one goes without saying. Even if it means spending a bit extra, your gymnast has to be safe when training at home. That said, buying equipment that’s easier to practice on than the one at the gym might do more harm than good. And this leads us to the last trait your home gymnastics equipment should possess.
Similar to equipment at the gym.
The very reason you’re buying home equipment is so that your gymnast can practice and get better. It is important for the home equipment to be similar to the one at the gym so that it feels the same. For example, your gymnast might get used to a wider than regulation beam, and then because of muscle memory, she might end up doing the whole routine incorrectly in the gym.
So, now that you know what to look for, let’s check out the most popular home gymnastics products on the market and their “best value” and “economy” alternatives.
Folding Balance Beam
Folding balance beam- Best Value – Springee 10ft beam
Pros
The Springee 10ft folding balance beam checks all the boxes when it comes to the fundamental qualities of gym equipment we mentioned above.
The quality of the materials used to make Springee ensure reliability and longevity.
It is made out of good quality and durable firm foam that is wrapped in faux suede. This beam is tear resistant which means you’ll use it for years to come.
The Springee beam is safe since 14,000 non-slip grip dots that prevent slipping on surfaces like hardwood, tile, carpet, and even gym mats cover the base. So, your child can practice wherever they want without you worrying about a fall.
When it comes to width, the Springee beam is 4” wide, which is exactly like the ones at the gym. Since it is firm, it doesn’t allow your gymnasts’ feet to sink and they will have the solid support they need to perform their routines.
Having such cutting-edge features comes as no surprise. Springee works with gymnasts and coaches that are committed to making gymnastics gear for kids better and safer for advanced practice.
But the pros don’t end here. Being a floor beam, the Springee beam allows gymnasts to feel more confident in trying out skills they might be afraid of doing on a regulation balance beam.
And if you have any doubt about where you can store a 10 ft beam, know that the Springee beam folds down to 5 ft easily. So you can store it virtually anywhere, under the bed, in the garage, or in the closet.
Don’t miss out: 19 Toy Storage Ideas
Since it is super light, it means it’s easily portable. So, why confine yourselves to your home? You can easily take your beam wherever you go––over to a friend’s house, or even on vacation. Your young gymnast will certainly love showing off their skills in front of other people.
And last but not least, the Springee beams come in a variety of different colors, so your gymnast can pick their favorite for an even more personal feel.
Cons
The only downside to these beams is they are a bit more expensive than the economy ones. But in the long run, they might be your safest bet. Because what’s the point in buying a cheaper folding beam if you have to replace it over and over again.
Folding Balance beam- Economy – Health Star
Pros
The major advantage of the Health Star beam is its price. It is very affordable which means you won’t have to break the bank to get one.
Another advantage is it’s safe for beginners since it offers a 6” walking surface. As we mentioned the regulation width is 4”, so the Health Star beam allows for more walking surface, and hence makes the routines easier.
It is small and light, so it is easily storable and portable. Just like the Springee beam you can take it anywhere you go, and make your gymnasts’ day fun and productive.
Cons
It’s harder to judge quality and durability with this beam because Health Star doesn’t provide information about type of foam they use.
It is only 4.5 ft. long, which means your gymnast won’t have enough space to do all the different skills they’d do in the gym.
Another disadvantage, though not a striking one, is it’s only available in one color. Since these beams fall into the category of kids’ equipment, having a variety to choose from makes it more fun for kids to pick out a color they like.
Mats
Mats – Best Value – Tumbl Trak
Pros
The Tumbl Trak 10ft mat is probably the best one out there.
When it comes to its structure, the Tumbl Trak 10ft mat is made with the highest quality materials, both inside and out.
A non-slip vinyl material wraps the firm EPE foam, making Tumbl Trak both wear resistant and safe for your gymnast (It’s also very easy to clean).
The Tumbl Trak 10ft mat is made so that it can fit longer beams. And not only that, its size (10 ft x 4 ft) allows for more practice space for growing gymnasts as well. So, whether you have two gymnasts in your family or a growing gymnast, this is the right fit for you.
It’s universal! The Springe mat can be used by gymnasts and non-gymnasts alike. It’s the perfect match for dancers, cheerleaders, as well as fitness and yoga enthusiasts. In other words, if an activity calls for a mat, the Tumbl Trak mat is the answer.
It’s multipurpose! Your gymnast can not only use this mat for its primary purpose: tumbling; but when folded up it becomes the perfect elevation aid for plyometrics.
And yes, you’ve read it right! The Tumbl Trak 10ft mat can be folded up easily. It’s constructed from four panels and it folds up to be 2.5’ x 4’ x 8”. So, if you were concerned about any space issues, don’t be. Since it’s very light, this mat is also portable and you can take it wherever you go. So, again the world is your child’s gym :).
If you’re still not convinced that the Tumbl Trak mat is the best one of its kind, know that all the Tumbl Trak products are tested and pass CPSI.
Cons
Although the Tumbl Trak mats are developed to near perfection, there is still room for improvement.
For example, the mat could have had handles on the side. Yes, the mat is light and easily portable, but handles would make carrying it much easier.
The Tumbl Trak mats are good value but still a little on the pricey side. So, if you only need a mat for recreational purposes, maybe you should look at less expensive options.
Mats – Economy – BalanceFrom
Pros
The BalanceFrom mat is relatively cheap, and this is its main advantage.
Universality is another trait it shares with the Tumbl Trak mats. This means it can be used for all kinds of activities including gymnastics, dancing, yoga, cheerleading, martial arts etc.
Yet another advantage of the BalanceFrom mat is the ease of storing and carrying around. It consists of 3 panels, which when folded up become 24″ x 24″ x 6″. The very convenient feature this mat offers is the handles. It’s a pretty simple detail, but it’s very effective.
Cons
A big disadvantage of the BalanceFrom mat is its size. At 6 ft long and 2 ft wide it’s simply too small to be used for all the different gymnastics skills your child might want to try out. It also means that your gymnast might soon outgrow this mat, so it’s not very suitable for growing gymnasts.
Bars
Bars – Best Value – Milliard Professional Kip Bar
Pros
The Milliard Bars are made of super strong materials making them break-proof and sturdy. The material of the legs is high quality steel and the bar has a fiberglass core. This translates to up to 140 lbs usage limit. And the best part is – it’s very stable, so you won’t need any extension pieces or stabilizers.
Another major advantage of the Milliard bars is they don’t require any special talent or tools to be assembled. You can do it yourselves with the help of the instructions and tools that come with the bars.
Yet another great feature of these bars is their adjustability. The Milliard bars can go as low as 3ft and as high as 4.75ft with 10 intervals in between. This means that the Milliard bars can be used by kids of multiple ages and heights. And the best part is the bars have a pop and click pin. This makes adjusting them as easy as 1 2 3.
Since the gymnasts’ safety comes first, the Sprinee bars have removable soft covers on the pins to minimize injury. But that’s not all, the Milliard bars have an inner width of 48” to accommodate a 4 ft wide mat. This means your gymnast (and you) won’t be afraid of falling straight to the ground.
Since it’s the little things that matter the most, the Milliard bars come with a sticker pack that can be used to decorate the bars. Having a chance to personalize the bars will make the whole experience even more fun and it might be just the thing to motivate your kid to practice even more.
Cons
The only downside to these bars is they aren’t easy to store. But then again, the bars are usually placed in one spot that’s reserved for practice, so this isn’t that big of a deal.
Price-wise the Milliard bars might not be the cheapest out there, but you’ll sure get your money’s worth.
Bars – Economy – Kids Jungle
Pros
The Kids Jungle bars are made out of strong steel, which means they check the quality and durability boxes.
Another advantage of these bars is they are foldable, which means they won’t take up much room and are easy to store.
The height on the Kids Jungle bars can be easily adjusted anywhere from 3 ft to 4.3 ft, so there is some customization available.
For a reason, these bars are more expensive, but do bear in mind that your child could quickly outgrow them.
Cons
The main disadvantage of these bars is they are not fit for older kids. With dimensions at 58″ x 40″ x 54″, they can withhold weight up to 110 Lb, which means they are not fit for growing gymnasts.
Another downside of the Kids Jungle bars is the fact that the actual bar, like the legs, is made out of steel. When compared to the fiberglass bar that the Milliard uses, this is a major disadvantage.
Octagon Tumbler
Octagon Tumbler – Best Value – Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumbler
Pros
The Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumbler is among the best octagon tumblers on the market and here’s why:
The materials used to make The Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumbler are of the highest quality, which assures endurance and longevity. A high-density premium foam fills the octagon tumbler, while 18 oz. vinyl covers it. This not only makes the octagon tumbler more durable, but it also allows for easier cleaning.
It guarantees safety.
One of the vital functions of this Octagon Tumbler is to minimize the rolling effect. The flat sides allow for safe and effective practice, so you can rest assured your gymnasts are safe while doing their walkovers, front handsprings, back handsprings (and all the other skills you can’t even pronounce).
It’s easily portable. You can take the Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumbler wherever you want thanks to the convenient handles it has. These Octagon Tumblers come in a vibrant colors, and you don’t have to be afraid of the vinyl appearing dull.
Cons
The obvious disadvantage of the Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumbler is the fact that it’s pricey. Other than that, the Tumbl Trak Octagon Tumblers might be the best on the market.
Octagon Tumbler – Economy – Gymnic Physio Roll 55
Pros
The main advantage of the Gymnic Physio Roll 55 is its price. At only $75 it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg.
If you want an octagon with a strong, latex-free vinyl without any phthalate or BPA, then the Gymnic Physio Roll 55 is the right for you.
Sure you look not only durable, but also eco-friendly octagon.
Its purpose goes beyond that of gymnastics only. So yes, your gymnast can use it for practice, but it doesn’t end there. Anyone with coordination and balance difficulties will benefit from using the Gymnic Physio Roll 55.
Cons
The problem with the Gymnic Physio Roll 55 is exactly that, it’s a roll. So it’s not as safe as the flat sided octagon tumbler.
Storage is another issue with the Gymnic Physio Roll 55. Once inflated, it will take up much room, which might be a problem if you have space constraints in your home.
The Takeaway
As you can probably conclude by now, there’s a huge market for gymnastics equipment. This can be both satisfying and overwhelming. Yes, it’s good to have plenty to choose from, but it’s also a bit confusing.
Finding a true gem among the rocks is a demanding task. Knowing this, we did a bit of research to save you the trouble. We gave you an unbiased list of the “best value” and “economy” products so that you can have a clearer picture as to their quality, durability, and safety.
We sure hope you find your next piece of gymnastics equipment among the ones we’ve suggested. And if not, we hope that now at least you now know what to look for when shopping for gymnastics equipment.
So, what’s the main takeaway?
It’s safe to say that the best quality pieces aren’t the cheapest. But do bear in mind – purchasing a beam, a mat, or any piece of gymnastics equipment for that matter, is a long term investment.
