Gymnasts wear a variety of leotards for training and competition. Hundreds of companies design and produce thousands of leotard styles and designs to appeal to all gymnasts. Leotards are the primary gymnastics attire and are stretchy, unisex, skin-tight garments. There are sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved leotards available, and some gymnastics disciplines wear a skirt with their leotard. The standard of attire for international competition is regulated by the International Gymnastics Federation and the Code of Points.
Training Leotards
Gymnasts wear leotards to every training session. They are usually worn with other garments such as t-shirts, shorts or leggings. Leotards are made from stretchy Lycra or smooth velvet and stitched together, sometimes with a thin lining. Unitards (leotards with stitched-in shorts) are also worn in the gym. Training leotards are usually more lightweight and cheaper than competition outfits, and the gymnast may own a selection of them. In most gyms, a gymnast's leotard has become a way in which she expresses her favorite color and personality.
Competition Leotards
Competition leotards are special costumes that gymnasts wear to competitions. Like training leotards they are often made from velour or Lycra, however, foil Lycra, glitter and shiny hologram fabrics have also become popular. In recent years, competition leotards in most gymnastics disciplines have become covered in rhinestones. Some gymnastics clubs have a special team leotard for competition. In acrobatic gymnastics, the pair or group wear matching leotards, and a lot of rhinestones, intricate designs and foil Lycra are used to impress the judges.
Rhythmic Leotards
Rhythmic gymnasts have the most flamboyant leotards of all disciplines. The detailed garment is usually covered in rhinestones and has a skirt incorporated into the main body. Skin-colored Lycra and mesh-type materials are used to create patterns with rhinestones to create a glamorous garment for the gymnast. Rhythmic competition leotards can be sleeveless, but like in other disciplines, thin spaghetti straps fewer than 2 cm wide are not permitted. Like with other gymnastics disciplines, the Federation International of Gymnastics had strict rules set out regarding competition attire.
Two-Piece Leotards
Two-piece leotards are also often referred to as a crop-top and shorts. A gymnast may choose to train in a two-piece in the summer if she gets hot in the gym. They are usually made from either smooth velour, Lycra or a mixture of both. Two-piece leotards are not acceptable attire for competitions.
Male Leotards
Men usually opt for sleeveless leotards called singlets, teamed with matching shorts or trousers. His trousers usually have stirrups attached to the bottom of the leg, which are placed around the foot to avoid the trouser leg moving while training or competing. In acrobatic gymnastics, men wear coordinating garments to their partner's, which can be long-sleeved and have some rhinestones added. Traditionally male gymnasts wear less ornate leotards than females, opting for simple block-color designs.
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