Mats are an essential piece of equipment in any gymnastics training venue. They allow the gymnast to learn and perfect skills safely, avoiding excessive high-impact landings. Coaches and gymnasts use a variety of mats every session. Each of the mats serves its own purpose within the gym.
Safety Mat
Gymnasts use safety mats in the learning stages of training. Mats vary in thickness and density. Manufacturers fill them with a type of foam and cover them with leather, canvas or PVC. Gymnasts learn new skills on an piece of apparatus or on the floor safely with these mats. Coaches pile up or nest the mats near a gymnast performing a maneuver with a high degree of difficulty to give added protection. All major mat manufacturers sell safety mats, and the International Gymnastics Federation has set rules for internationally approved equipment. Manufacturers make most safety mats with fire retardant foam to meet health and safety guidelines.
Dismount Mat
You can purchase dismount or landing mats in a wide range of sizes, shapes and densities. Most manufacturers offer custom-made landing mats for built-in gymnasiums. Gymnasts usually cover the area around a beam, vault or the bars with dismount mats for additional landing support. Coaches place longer versions of the mat at the end of the vault and add lines to show the landing area. Acrobatic gymnasts also use landing mats on the floor area when learning new skills. They differ from safety mats in a number of ways. The higher density and firmness aids stability on landings, and the reinforced sides provide a more solid structure. Most International Gymnastics Federation specification landing mats are about 8 inches thick to allow for the recommended amount of shock absorption. Coaches also use special competition landing mats and lightweight mats to aid training and competition performance.
Supplementary Soft Landing Mat
Gymnasts use supplementary soft landing mats, more commonly called splat or sting mats, as they become more confident performing. These mats are about 4 inches thick and come in a variety of widths and lengths. Coaches use splat mats alongside other mats for additional landing support or to add a softer surface to a landing mat or foam block. Some coaches prefer to use silicone filled landing pads with a fabric covering instead of soft landing mats to help the gymnast land skills more accurate. Thinner mats obstruct a gymnast's landing less and encourage correct technique.
Foam Blocks
Coaches use foam blocks or mats in a variety of ways in the gym. They use larger blocks as supporting platforms because those blocks usually have one side that is firmer than the other. PVC covers the foam. The mats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and firmness for various types of use. Pre-school or baby gymnastics coaches use soft blocks as play areas. Coaches build up the areas around apparatus with foam blocks, safety and landing mats so beginners gain confidence learning skills in a safe environment.
Member Comments