What Do Gymnasts Wear? Gymnastics Leotard and Style Rules to Know

Gymnastics is a popular sport for women. But what do gymnasts wear? It's more complex than you think! Here are gymnastics attire and leotard rules to know.

 

Gymnastics is a sport that is wildly popular for girls and women. You get to strive for the peak level of strength, athleticism, and agility while exuding grace and beauty. 

Nothing epitomizes those traits than the gymnast's outfit. But what do gymnasts wear?

The leotard is synonymous with the sport, and you need to learn how to wear it and what to look for. 

Below we'll dive into some info on leotards and what you should know about a gymnast's attire as a whole. 

What Do Gymnasts Wear?

The leotard is a one-piece suit that is skin tight. It covers the gymnast starting at the shoulders and around the crotch. 

With that said, there's so much that goes into leotards and how they're worn. You'll want to have a good mix of training leotards and competition leotards. These tips explain what you should know to get started:

1. Make Sure Your Leotards are Completely "You" With the Volume Up

The leotard is the competition piece that showcases your personality. Like it or not, you're being judged by the officials the moment you step onto the competition floor before your routine even starts. 

As such, you'll want to make a dynamite first impression by choosing a suit that is artful and vibrant. Aside from the fit of the outfit and what it must cover, you're allowed to decorate your leotard to your heart's content without any real rules or norms. 

Play with some color schemes that fit your personality so that you can feel confident when you wear it. 

2. Learn About What Gymnasts Don't Wear

Getting comfortable in a leotard could take some getting used to because gymnasts don't wear any underwear under them. 

It's a competition foul to have your bra and underwear exposed, so most gymnasts get comfortable without them. The last thing you'd want is for your score to slip down even just a little in the medal chase, not due to your performance, but an avoidable loss of points. 

Make sure that your leotard provides plenty of support. Girls and women have all different body types, so definitely prioritize leotards that fit snugly enough to work with your body, rather than against it. 

3. Understand the Different Styles

There are a number of different gymnastics leotard styles you can shop for. Some examples of styles include tank leotards, camisoles, short sleeve, long sleeve, mock neck, and halter neck. 

Each style decision boils down to what look suits you best, and what you feel most comfortable wearing. Get to know the different materials that these leotards are made with and make sure to purchase a quality brand that you can wear for several hours of practice. 

Olympians like Gabby Douglas spent their entire teenage years training at a world-class level. They cut out everything except training and school.

Even competing at a varsity or college level requires the same type of commitment for however long a gymnast's career lasts. This boils down to a lot of training hours wearing a leotard. 

When you have a good mix of leotards that you can count on, you'll be able to put away this concern and focus on getting better. 

4. Take the Time to Get Your Measurements Properly

Gymnasts on the same team will all have widely different body types. It is virtually impossible to issue one size fits all singlets that actually accommodate a large group of athletes. 

Instead, you should get your measurements well in advance to be sure that the leotard you wear fits your dimensions perfectly. 

Some of the measurements that you'll need to get include the torso, bust, waist, and hip. You'll feel at your best competing when you get the right dimensions.  

5. Be Sure That the Leotard is a Good Fit That Doesn't Draw Fouls

Gymnastics is a sport that is very open-ended in its expression, yet it is big on protocol and details. There are several fouls that can deduct points in competition based on the way the leotard fits alone. 

Even removing a wedgie while competing can warrant a point deduction. Choosing the best fit for a leotard can save you some trouble in the long-run. 

6. Don't Be Afraid to Spend a Little on a Quality Leotard

No matter what you're looking for from a leotard, be prepared to pay for quality.

On the highest level, Olympic women athletes wear leotards that cost $12,500 and took 2 years and three or more fittings to complete. They also have several of these outfits to wear throughout the entire Olympic games. 

Even when competing in college and high school, it's not uncommon for an athlete to spend a few hundred dollars on a quality leotard. This is especially the case for leotards that feature a lot of personality and customization. 

Pair your leotards with a great warmup outfit and you'll have a sense of pride every time you wear it. You should also put some thought into the slippers that you grab to go with it. 

It takes fine attention to detail to choose the best leotard and wear it successfully. 

Purchase the Best Gymnast Attire You Can Find

So what do gymnasts wear? The guide above is a great primer to get you started. 

When you're serious about the sport, don't be afraid to do some research when buying a leotard. 

Be sure to check out our story to learn more about the leotard and other gymnastics accessories we sell!