Gymnastics Leotards

Gymnastics is a popular sport that involves a sequence of movements performed by skilled gymnasts. It requires considerable strength and flexibility. Gymnastics as a sport developed from the fitness exercises of ancient Greek soldiers. Leotard is a garment worn by gymnasts that enables easy workouts. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer, Jules Léotard who apparently called the garment a maillot.

Gymnasts require a very comfortable garment to perform their skills. The leotard is an ideal skin-tight, one-piece garment that fulfills this purpose. It is a standard uniform of gymnasts around the world and is designed with many attractive patterns and colors. It is similar to a full piece swimsuit. Made from a stretchable material, leotards are helpful in performing jumps and various other sequences that involve flexible movements. It covers a gymnast’s torso and body, and generally leaves their legs free for flexible movements. A variation of this garment is the unitard that covers the legs. Trained men and women gymnasts regularly wear them in gymnastics practices and competitions. The leotard is an important part of a gymnast’s gear that helps them compete professionally in national and international events.

There are different designs of leotards. Scoop-necked leotards have wide neck openings and are held in place by the elasticity of the garment. There are others that are crew-necked or turtle-necked and close at the back of the neck with a zipper or snaps. There are also sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved varieties of leotards.

There are several types of gymnastics, such as the artistic, rhythmic, trampoline and tumbling and sports gymnastics. Leotards are designed for different types of gymnastics. Gymnasts usually wear a different leotard for each routine. The leotard has to fit with the color of the apparatus and the style of the music. Leotards are made of elastic material, such as lycra or velours.

There are a number of sportswear companies that manufacture leotards with extensive designs and styles. They conduct extensive research on the requirements of gymnasts before designing them. These companies offer premium quality leotards at prices that are affordable. Many companies also offer an online ordering service for leotards with discounted rates.

Over a period of time, leotards have undergone many changes in their style, color and pattern. The material used in the making of leotards is today more comfortable than used in earlier times. There are new and attractive designs of gymnastic leotards in various ranges and this allows a gymnast to experiment with various styles before finally settling on a leotard design that suits them best.