Gymnastics Mats
In general, mats are safety equipment used for various types of sports and training. In gymnastics, athletes use mats as protective landing equipments as well as performing stages for artistic gymnasts. In the sport of gymnastics, along with many other sports, gym mats are mandatory safety equipment for use in both training and competitions.
Gymnastics mats are pieces of foam covered in a lining of either plastic or vinyl. They are usually 1.5 inches to 28 inches in thickness. The density of the foam, however, may deviate from moderately firm to adequately soft, depending on the purpose of the mats. The sizes of mats also range according to the purpose they serve, starting from small mats, as used on beams, to extremely large mats, as used for performing upon. Size-wise, gym mats can range in size from 4’ × 8’ to 6’ × 12’.
Mats can be classified according to purpose and material. According to material, gymnastics mats are of two major types;
1) Polyethylene Foam: Generally at 1.375 inches thick, these mats are cross-linked, and are often used in folding paneling mats. These types of mats are rebound-capable, long-lasting and lightweight. They are very reliable, and more often than not used for professional sporting events.
2) Polyurethane Foam: Because they are not as firm as Polyethylene foam mats, these spongy, foam mats are generally at least 2 inches thick. These mats are usually purchased for practice sessions, as well as for home and amateur athletic events. They are very much suitable for younger children; however professional athletes would easily be able to wear them out, causing them to become disintegrated.
Despite the foam interior of the mat, all gymnastics mats are covered in similar grades of 14 – 18 ounce laminated polyester vinyl. The vinyl must be puncture-proof and mildew resistant. It also needs to have antibacterial qualities in order to help preserve hygiene.
Based on the purpose they serve, gymnastics mats can be:
- Beam Pads: These mats are used in high-level training for gymnasts. These mats are purposely used to give a gymnast extra protection and additional space on which to initially practice for tournaments, including special training programs designed for the balance beam.
- Blocks: Block mats are relatively firm, trapezoidal or rectangular in shape. These gymnastics mats are usually strapped to other mats and used as stepping-stools. Gymnasts using the vault or the pommel horse use their elasticity to propel themselves up onto the springboard through rebounding leaps.
- Crash Mats: These are extremely soft and thick mats, generally used during training sessions for high-impact sports.
- Folding Panel Mats: These 12-foot-long mats are generally attached to other mats to form larger practice or performance spaces. Most gymnastics events, training and performing events require folding panel mats.
- Incline mats: These triangle-shaped elevated mats are usually used for teaching and training beginners and intermediate-level gymnasts.
- Springboard Mats: These mats are used as mandatory safety mats. The U-shaped mat surrounds the springboard on three sides to give gymnasts a way to avoid serious injury in case they step the wrong way on a spring and become unbalanced.
- Landing Mats: These mats are rather thinner and softer, and are used to lessen the impact from landings and dismounts in case of usual floor exercises. These mats are used in training sessions regularly, but are seldom permitted in competitions.
- Gymnastics mats can be found at almost any sports equipment stores, such as Cart Wheel Factory, Team Sports and AK Athletic Equipments. They can also be ordered online through the websites of the official manufacturers or dedicated shopping sites such as Amazon.com. While they have been designed to protect gymnasts and other athletes from bodily injuries, it should be noted that unless properly assembled, these safety mats can render users critically and even fatally injured.
