Stock your gym with equipment used in gymnastics in order to help your budding gymnasts succeed in their training. Go beyond the basics by making the most of gymnastics equipment. Look for equipment that can help your gymnasts move from one skill level to the next without the need to purchase more and more equipment.

When shopping for gymnastic equipment for sale, take the time to find good prices and equipment that is versatile for all the gymnasts you train. You may even want to consider choosing used commercial gym equipment. Make sure used gym equipment is in good working condition.

1. Purchase a wide array of gymnastics equipment specific to training.

2. Look for portable gymnastics supplies to help you make the most of your gym space.

3. Make safety a priority and stock lots of safety gymnastics equipment.

Action Steps
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Stock your gym with training gear when ordering gymnastics supplies

Look for training equipment to help train your gymnasts in proper form and function. Choose mats, rolls and equipment that are designed for training purposes so you know the equipment is being used properly.

I recommend: VertiMax supplies your gym with training apparatus specifically designed to increase the strength of your gymnasts' leg power. Tumbl Trak offers training balance beams that sit on the floor in bases to secure them into position.

Opt for portable gymnastics equipment to maximize space

Consider the portability of gymnastics equipment when you're stocking your gym. Depending upon how many gymnasts are training at any given time, you may need to be able to quickly and easily move things around to provide enough space between the equipment to keep each gymnast safe. Portability also allows you to easily prepare for competitions or exhibitions.

I recommend: Professional Athletics has kip bars, mini high bars and horizontal bars that are portable, allowing you to move them to areas of the gym as needed. Power Athletes provides you with portable rings that can be used in a variety of places, making them a valuable addition to your gym.

Set safety priorities by purchasing gym equipment that's created for safety

Keep your gymnasts safe with the use of gymnastics equipment designed to protect them while learning new skills. Look for harnesses, grips and hand supports that allow your gymnasts to train new skills and perfect old skills without fear of injury.

I recommend: MatsMatsMats.com has several sizes, styles and colors of gymnastics safety equipment to help you train gymnasts safely. Wolverine Sports offers gymnastics training belts to keep your tumblers safe as they learn the mechanics of a new move.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you have the latest instructional information on gymnastic equipment for home use so you can help your athletes avoid injuries when they're not in your facility. Being able to advise your clients on the use of home gymnastics equipment or rhythmic gymnastic equipment helps you to help them succeed.

Examine gymnastics equipment for stability and durability. Discuss delivery and set up options with the companies you're considering doing business with; most companies will come in and install the equipment so you know it's done properly and safely. Always keep the safety of your customers in mind when purchasing any gymnastics equipment.

Set up your gym with a variety of gymnastics equipment. Men and women participate on different apparatus so you'll want separate areas for both men and women. Also stock separate equipment for a variety of skill levels from beginning toddlers to elite level adults.

1. Make sure your gymnastics supplies include rhythmic gymnastics supplies.

2. Find gymnastics equipment info that benefits all of your students.

3. Select preschool gymnastics equipment with safety in mind.

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Stock rhythmic gymnastics supplies to improve the skills of your students

Consider a variety of rhythmic gymnastics supplies for all of your students. Ribbons come in different lengths as do clubs in differing weights. Choose a variety of options so all of your students can benefit from your rhythmic gymnastics training.

I recommend: Ancore-Chiou Ent. Co. has all of the rhythmic gymnastic equipment you'll need to stock your gym and prepare your students for competition. Rhythmic Gymnastics can provide you with the ropes, balls, clubs and more to fully stock your gymnastics business.

Purchase separate gymnastics equipment for men and women

Consider the different needs of men and women when selecting your gymnastics equipment. Take into consideration the ease with which the equipment can be adjusted and how much room you need to allow surrounding each piece you're considering putting into your business.

I recommend: American Gymnast has every type of apparatus you could need including bars, beams, vaults, rings and mats. NRA Gym Supply has a full range of gymnastic equipment for sale for every competition and training level, including those for elite athletes.

Select preschool gymnastics equipment designed to help little ones succeed

Teach your tiniest gymnasts with the proper equipment. Keep a wide selection of wedges and mats on hand to help preschool gymnasts learn how to maneuver through each skill and how their body should be properly positioned during each skill they learn. Select low hanging ropes for them to build upper arm strength and low balance beams for them to learn balancing skills on.

I recommend: Deary's Gymnastics Supply can provide you with all of your preschool gymnastics equipment including climbing ropes, low beams and low parallel bars. Gymnastics Stuff has a variety of specialized equipment including staggered mats and wedges to help learn how to properly and safely perform gymnastics skills.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for home gymnastics equipment to supplement what your students are learning in the gym. Gymnastic equipment for the home allows students to continue training regardless of the availability of a trainer or coach.

Whether you are a gymnastics coach, instructor, judge, administrator or gym owner, it is important to learn how to use gymnastics equipment properly and safely. Gymnastics professionals should learn what gymnastics equipment is necessary in a properly equipped gym and how to lay out gymnastics equipment to maximize space and training potential.

In addition to mastering gymnastics equipment basics, gymnastics professionals need to get educated in the domestic and international regulations for gymnastics equipment, including size and safety regulations. While a college degree in gymnastics equipment is not necessary, there are a variety of educational resources that offer training in gymnastics equipment. When pursuing gymnastics equipment education and training, consider the following:

1. Learn about gymnastics equipment through classes and seminars offered by professional gymnastics associations.
   
2. Research the regulations required for new and used gym equipment.
3. Get educated in professional and home gymnastics equipment safety.

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Take classes to get trained in the proper use of gymnastics equipment

Classes and seminars provide a solid foundation for gymnastics equipment education and training. Courses are available through professional gymnastics associations or even physical education departments at colleges and vocational schools.

I recommend: USA Gymnastics University offers courses in all disciplines and areas of gymnastics, including equipment used in gymnastics. Gym.Net offers a variety of gymnastics courses, including training in gymnastics equipment and facilities. The University of Pittsburgh School of Education offers a gymnastics coaching course that includes purchase and care of gymnastic equipment and supplies.

Get educated in gymnastics equipment regulations

There are regulations for all types of gymnastics equipment, from rhythmic gymnastic equipment for competitive gymnasts to balance beams for high school teams. It is important for all gymnastics professionals to get trained in the current gymnastics equipment regulations.

I recommend: Learn the official gymnastics equipment regulations at Gymnastics International Federation. The Beam Store provides the standards and regulations for balance beams according to the International Gymnastics Federations. The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games details the regulations for competitive gymnastics equipment, including the pommel horse, floor, horizontal bar, parallel bars, rings, uneven bar and vault.

Learn gymnastics equipment safety

Whether stocking a professional gym or supplying gymnastic equipment for home use, safety is first priority when it comes to the assembly, layout and use of gymnastics equipment. Learn gym equipment safety by reading product manuals with safe assembly instructions, researching guides to safe equipment progressions or even checking out videos on how to use and set up gym equipment safely.

I recommend: TumblTrak features videos teaching different ways to use equipment or set up safe gymnastics stations. Learn about gymnastics equipment info safety progressions at GymnasticsZone.com. Get advanced training with a safety certification through the USA Gymnastics Safety/Risk Management Certification course at the NorCal Boy's Gymnastics Association.

Every event in gymnastics requires specialized gymnastics equipment. Floor exercises need special mats. Events like the balance beam and vault need larger pieces of equipment. Effectively preparing your budget to absorb all of these costs is vital.

Whether you are opening a gymnastics studio or preparing for a gymnastics event, an itemized list of equipment needed for each event can help you accurately budget. Consider the following gymnastics equipment pricing and costs.

1. Consider the cost of heavy gymnastic equipment.

2. Factor in the cost of gymnastic mats to minimize the risk of injury.

3. Prepare the budget for recurring expenses from gymnastic equipment accessories.

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Add in the cost of gymnastics equipment for events

Base gymnastics equipment, including balance beams, bars and pommel horses are necessary for a full gymnastic training studio or event center. The equipment you purchase must be suitable for the age groups that will use it. As such, you may have to purchase similar pieces of equipment for various age groups. For example, a preschooler can't use a balance beam for the 7 to 12 age group.

I recommend: Modell's sells complete set of preschool gymnastics equipment for around $10,000. Shipping costs are extra and will add around $700 to your total. Dick's Sporting Goods offers gymnastics equipment for all gymnastic events, including gymnastic equipment for home use. Prices vary greatly. For example, a pommel horse costs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000.

Consider the cost of mats for gymnastic events and to place under gymnastic equipment

Gymnastic mats are an essential piece rhythmic gymnastic equipment. Additionally, these mats provide cushioning under other gymnastic equipment in case of a fall. When purchasing mats, consider the maximum height of a fall that the mat will have to cushion.

I recommend: UCS offers a varied selection of gymnastics supplies, including rhythmic gymnastic equipment such as mats. Prices range from $1,000 to over $5,000 depending on the type and size of the mat. Wolverine Sports sells gymnastics mats, including folding mats. Prices start at around $150 for basic mats.

Factor in the cost of accessories for the gymnastics equipment

Some gymnastic events require the use of chalk on the gymnasts hands. Providing this chalk requires a special holder and approved chalk. Additionally, some gymnastic equipment require accessories, such as rings. Training accessories are also necessary. These include chinning bars and power climbers.

I recommend: Sports Authority sells accessories and equipment used in gymnastics, including transport wheels and chalk holders. These are priced $100 for chalk holders or as high as $1,100 for an equipment transport set. American Gymnast sells gym and home gymnastics equipment and accessories. Chinning bars start at around $170. Portable gymnastic rings and power climbers are around $225.