- A leotard should fit snugly and provide good coverage. The low-cut tops of ballet leotards are not appropriate for the aggressive tumbling movements done in gymnastics. Very high leg cuts are usually to be avoided, to prevent the leo riding up in the back and creating a wedgie, which can lead to unsightly picking at the leotard during competition. For older gymnasts, the fit should allow enough coverage to hide underwear and bra straps, especially in competition, where visible underwear is cause for deduction. Arm and leg holes shouldn't be so tight that the elastic creates heavy imprinting on the skin.
- Gymnastics leotards should be made of stretchy, breathable, sturdy, opaque material. Common materials for practice leos are cotton, velvet, nylon and spandex. Popular competition combinations include all nylon, all velvet, shiny nylon against matte velvet, or mesh against nylon or velvet. When designing a competition leotard, coaches can order material swatches from companies like GK Elite to mix and match colors and textures.
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Basic tank-top leos are the most common choice for practice and competition warm-up; necklines are usually scoop-neck but may be high in front and low in the back. Spaghetti straps are also an option, and back designs may vary, including racerbacks and cutouts. Two-piece ensembles or bare midriffs are not ideal, as they can allow the skin to catch the equipment during bar work; also, sweat on the skin can create a slippery surface that can cause a coach who is spotting to lose control of the gymnast. Numerous material patterns are available.
Coaches may choose two competition leotards for their teams: a tank-style warm-up leo and a three-quarter-length or long-sleeve performance leo. They may decide to compete their lower-level gymnasts in the tank leotards. Coaches need to consider USA Gymnastics regulations when designing competition wear: no backless leos, high-cut leg openings, bare midriffs or spaghetti straps, among other restrictions.
Lastly, coaches should consider how their athletes will look in the materials and colors selected. White and other light colors should be avoided on the bottom of the suit because they show every detail of the body; they may be unflattering on heavier gymnasts.
