What should children wear to gymnastics class?

Posted on - 12th May 2021

If you have signed your child up for gymnastics, it is time to find out what they should be wearing for classes.

Depending on the age and gender of your gymnast they will probably need to wear something different for their classes. Most girls will wear a gymnastics leotard, as they won't catch on anything and let your gymnast have a complete range of movement.

Younger gymnasts will wear just a leotard whereas older gymnasts will usually wear shorts on top.

Are there different gymnastic clothes for toddlers?

As we have mentioned female toddler gymnasts will usually wear just a gymnastic leotard to class plus you may want to consider undergarments. A unitard might be more comfortable if your toddler does not want their underwear or nappies hanging out.

You may also want to ensure your gymnast's hair is out of their face. Perhaps look at putting it up in a bun, a ponytail or a braid.

Boys can just wear comfortable shorts and a t-shirt, just try to avoid clothes with any snaps, zippers or buckles that could get caught on any equipment.

What should young gymnasts wear to classes?

Young gymnasts should wear a gymnastics leotard and ensure their hair is pulled back in a hairstyle that will not flop in their face and cause safety issues. You also want to make sure they don't wear any jewellery other than stud earrings to gymnastic classes. Again, this is so nothing gets caught on the equipment.

Teenage gymnast kit advice

Teenage gymnasts might wear something slightly different from younger gymnasts. If they need support, we recommend wearing a sports bra (or regular bra) under their leotard.
They may also prefer to wear shorts on top of their leotards to feel more comfortable and save worrying about underwear hanging out. Older gymnasts will also need to pull their hair back and refrain from wearing any jewellery other than stud earrings.

Considerations for boys taking part in gymnastics

Boys, as already stated should wear a t-shirt and shorts, but here are some other considerations to make note of -

Bare Feet - All gymnasts should practice barefoot as wearing socks can cause slips or falls.
Glasses - If your gymnast wears glasses you will need to make sure they don't fall off. Some glasses are designed for sports, with others secured using a band.
Hair - The same applies to boys with long hair as girls. They should pull their hair back in a ponytail, bun or braid to stop it from getting in their eyes.

Contact us with any questions

If you have any questions about gymnastics clothes for children, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Olympique.