The enhancement of physical and mental development of children is one of the most important contributions of kids’ sports. Sport is a powerful activity that can break many barriers and help children feel good about themselves, both physically and mentally. By practising sports, children develop physical skills, but also have fun and make new friends. They can learn how to be a team member, understand fair play, improve self-esteem and more.

If you’ve decided to sign up your daughter for gymnastics classes, it’s a great opportunity for her and it may be something she wants to participate and compete in for the years to come. If that’s the case, maybe you’ve already got an air track mat, so she can practice at home, but when it comes to preparing your kid for gymnastics, proper attire always comes first.

And it always begins with a kids gymnastics leotard, one of the most essential pieces of gymnastics apparel. There are different sizes and styles available, so finding the one that your daughter will really like can be a daunting task. You want a stylish leotard that she would like to wear, but also comfortable, so she could perform her gymnastic routines. From the colour to the material, there are many factors to consider when it comes to purchasing girls gymnastics leotard.

Leotards and Their Benefits

Back in 1920, Jules Leotard, a French gymnast who invented the flying trapeze, initially created the leotard as an outfit for men, but these days it’s more likely to see women wearing the garment. The idea was to allow teachers to better see the student’s movements while providing the student with the required flexibility for the challenging spins. You may be wondering what is it that makes this outfit so perfect for gymnastics? The main reason to choose kids gymnastics leotard is that it’s very form-fitting. However, there are a plethora of other benefits as well.

Light and Breathable

Leotards are mainly made from a combination of these three materials – spandex, polyester and nylon. This makes them lighter and more breathable, an ideal solution for any performance that demands high physical power. They’re sleek and allow for more complex body movement, which makes leotards the staple of modern exercise and dancing world, so you can see leotards being worn at the theatre, dance performances and more.

Easy to Wear and Perform

Being comfortable while practising is very important as it will allow your daughter to put all of her attention and effort into working hard on her routines. And this can result in higher motivation and better performance. Keep in mind that wearing a leotard is a must if your child wants to perform in gymnastics competitions. It’s one of the requirements for almost every gymnastic competition and ensures that all gymnasts are at the same standard when it comes to their attire.

Elevates the Confidence

If a gymnast is not happy in their leotard it shows. There can be a lack of enthusiasm, which may affect the overall performance. If your daughter is feeling good in her leotard, she’s happy with the fit and the style, it can promote confidence and lead to great results.

Improves Focus

If the leotard doesn’t fit properly, it can throw the entire competition off. Your child might be more focused on adjusting and tugging than she will be on the task at hand. Many gymnasts and dancers say that the leotard becomes a second skin. It must feel natural and comfortable, so the gymnast can focus on performance only.

Provides Safety

This is one of the most important reasons to purchase a leotard for your child’s gymnastic classes. If your daughter is wearing a leotard when doing flips, rolls or walking on the balance beam, she is less likely to trip and fall as it’s not regular clothing that hangs off her body. A leotard will allow her to perform different gymnastic moves more safely.

How to Find the Right Leotard?

Consider Fabric and Size

As mentioned above, spandex, polyester and nylon are some of the most commonly used materials for leotards. They breathe easily and prevent your child from getting too hot during practices or competitions. Spandex provides more support and fits the body perfectly, while polyester is highly breathable. Nylon is stretchy and flexible and provides a fitted look. It feels cool and has a bit of brightness and the colour lasts longer.

The size of the leotard is important as well, as it should provide a snug fit to the child, fitted comfortably to the body. To determine the right size, measure their chest, hips, waist and torso and compare on a chart on leotards sizes.

Choose Style and Colour Carefully

The style and colour usually come down to personal preferences. You can select any leotard your daughter likes. She may go for different colours and prints over the whole of the leotard as they’re quite popular these days, especially if it’s for practising or just to have fun.

Do Gymnasts Wear Anything Under Their Leotards?

There are no strict rules when it comes to this matter. Your daughter can choose whatever feels more comfortable to her and wear it with confidence. Some leopards may include support, while for other she can wear a bra if she likes, as long as it doesn’t show, stick out or bothers her as she performs.