The Difference Between Gymnastic Mats & Tumbling Mats
Gymnastics and tumbling are similar sports, both requiring athletes to regularly land difficult, high-impact skills. Both need mats that absorb a significant amount of the impact. To meet specific rules and requirements for each discipline, the mats differ in various ways.
Other People Are Reading
-
Size
-
Basic bonded foam mats can vary in size, weight and color, the standard size being 4 feet by 2 feet. The competition standard sprung gymnastics mat or floor is a square 39 feet by 39 feet. The tumbling equivalent is 82 feet long by 7 feet wide.
Structure
-
There is very little difference in the structure of the basic mats in both sports. A standard bonded foam filling is used in both cases and covered in a PVC or rubber shell. International standard built-in 'sprung' mats for gymnastics and tumbling are layers of foam, plywood and carpet, which provide additional rebound for elite gymnasts.
-
Price
-
Basic gymnastics and tumbling mats, which are laid out and put away in gyms, schools and at home vary in price depending on their specification, the most expensive being around $500. International competition 'sprung' mats are bespoke, and manufactures provide usually give prices on application.
Thickness
-
Basic foam mats in both sports range from 1 to 3 inches in thickness. The thickness of a sprung gymnastics floor or tumbling track used at elite competitions varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. These mats are usually custom-made for the gymnasium or competition venue. The mat and carpet layer of the floor is 2-inch thick bonded foam.
Safety Mats
-
Gymnasts use safety mats in both sports on a regular basis. These mats have a foam filling and a PVC or leather surface. The density of safety mats varies; competition mats are usually firmer, allowing a more stabilized landing. Tumble tracks have a soft landing area at the bottom of the run. The mats used here are the same landing mats used around gymnastics apparatus.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit girl at summer gymnastic camp image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
