Skill Shapes & Trainers

April 23, 2019

When shopping for gymnastics mats, the number of choices can be overwhelming. To determine the right mat or skill trainer for you, first focus on the skill that the mat will be used for and then select the correct size to meet your or your gymnasts’ needs.

Gymnastics is among the most popular sports, especially for younger children who are just beginning to learn to use their little limbs! It’s also one of those sports that is good to start kids in at an earlier age, as they are often fearless, with many of the cool tricks becoming more difficult as one grows. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends practicing motor skills like tumbling and running for kids between the ages of two and five years.

Your gym or gymnastics center will typically have its floors nearly completely covered with various types of mats. Whether practicing on the uneven bars or vault at the gym or practicing cartwheels and tumbling at home, it’s critical to have quality gymnastics mats  down. Slips and falls happen even to the most elite gymnasts; regardless of your current skill level, you should have the proper mats in place.

When choosing your gymnastics mats, it’s important to consider the thickness, shape, size and structure of the mat. For general tumbling, mats typically range between one to two inches thick. The shape of your mat should be based on what types of moves you are working on. Octagons are good for learning coordination and balance  and are available in multiple sizes to meet the needs of any age user. Cheese wedges are also available in various sizes and are usually used for specific gymnastic training, depending on the move or area of the body that most needs strengthening. Determining the right size of your tumbling mat is fairly simple; it needs to cover the training area and a good-size perimeter beyond that for those inevitable times when sticking the landing means a foot or two will meet the floor. If you’re covering a large space, interlocking mats may be the way to go for more floor coverage.

A crash pad is usually made of bonded sponge foam covered by a rubber shell or PVC. They range from 2” thick up to 12” to allow for maximum shock absorption to keep gymnasts safe while performing more intense routines. They include handles on the sides and fold in half for easy storage.

No matter your age, a little tumbling is great for most; find your mat and get going!

April 8, 2019

Gymnastics as a sport has been around for over 2,000 years. Though it’s pretty unlikely you aren’t going to become the next Simone Biles or Larisa Latynina, you can still benefit tremendously from getting some gymnastics pads and tumbling mats, and working on your craft.

From improving your flexibility to strengthening your immune system, here are some terrific advantages of rolling out a gymnastics pad and practicing and performing this great sport:

Improved flexibility-- Flexibility is one of the most important aspects of gymnastics and each time you practice on gymnastics mats, you'll be becoming much more flexible. Additionally, gymnasts with improved flexibility are less likely to suffer injuries because their limbs can handle a wider range of motion.

Meet your physical fitness requirements-- Whether you're a student hoping to make the gymnastics team or an adult looking to get a little more active, gymnastics is a great way to get some necessary daily exercise in. According to the American Heart Association, children should participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day and adults should participate in 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week -- gymnastics is the perfect way to get active!

Improved social skills-- At all levels, gymnastics provides an excellent opportunity to work on and develop social skills. Children learn how to look, listen, and how to work and think independently. And older gymnasts learn how to set a good example for younger children looking on. Plus, everyone has fun and works on respect.

Prevent diseases-- Since gymnastics promote a healthier way of living, it can actually fight off all kinds of diseases. Health officials have stated that regular gymnastics-based exercise can fight off diseases like diabetes, obesity, and even heart diseases and cancers.

It's never too late to get active and live a happier and healthier lifestyle. If you want to learn more about the advantages and health benefits of participating in gymnastics, or find high-quality gymnastics pads, give We Sell Mats a call right away -- and have fun!

March 9, 2018

If you cringe when your little gymnast wants to show you her forward roll on the hard kitchen floor, you probably don't have a tumbling mat in the family room. But that's ok - we're here to help. When she comes home from tumbling practice and wants to keep practicing (good!), a thickly padded tumbling mat is just what she needs to do it safely. That's why our tumbling mats are made to the same standards as those she uses at the studio, and why they're available to you to use at home. Continue reading →