What you will need in the way of protective equipment varies from event to event. Some of the more common items include:

Wrist straps, guards, and grips. These are used by male gymnasts on the still rings, high bar, and parallel bars and by female gymnasts on the uneven bars. They're meant to improve a gymnast's hold on the apparatus and decrease friction on the skin to keep hands from developing painful blisters. Most grips consist of a piece of leather attached to a wrist strap. Other options include wrapping the hands in sports tape or gauze. Gymnasts, especially beginners and youngsters, should use grips, tape, or gauze to protect their hands from blistering and tearing. Typically, the pros go bare handed to "toughen" their palms with calluses but it's a painful process that can take months.

Footwear. What you wear (or don't wear!) on your feet depends on the event, the performing surface, and your experience. If you wear shoes while competing in the vault, you might want to use ones with a reinforced toe to help absorb the pressure of landing. Some balance beam competitors prefer shoes with rubber soles to protect against slipping.

Spotting belts. You'll want to use a safety belt whenever you are practicing a new trick or attempting difficult maneuvers. Generally, these belts hook into cables that are attached to the ceiling.

Legacy Gymnastics Center Orlando

143 Atlantic Dr.

Maitland, FL 32751

(407) 831-3547

www.legacygymnasticscenter.com