Mat (gymnastics)
Encyclopedia
Mats are used for safety in gymnastics
, and in training new skills. They are usually a piece of foam ranging from 1.5-28 inches thick, covered in a vinyl or plastic lining. The foam ranges in density from relatively firm to very soft.
Landing mats are usually blue, but can also be almost any other color. Mats come in a range of sizes, from very small mats used on the beam, to very large mats, used in the foam pits.
Typically, in both competition and practice, the use of mats is mandatory. On every event except floor exercise, pommel horse
and vault
, gymnasts may use an additional landing mat, without deduction, which may be adjusted for distance.
or rectangular shaped mats. They can be attached to other blocks via velcro
and straps. Blocks are routinely used as step-stools for gymnasts working on the bars or beam and as practice vaulting surfaces.
foam.
Cross-linked polyethylene foam is a very solid and sturdy foam, when being used in a folding panel gym mat—it is generally accepted to be at a standard of 1 3/8" thickness. Mats with this type of foam would be considered for professional use in sporting events.
The foam is firm, but not as firm as the cross-linked polyethylene foam used in 1 3/8" thick models. Because of the lack of firmness mats made with this type of foam generally use specifically 2" thick 100 ILD open cell 4.5 lb. density polyurethane
foam. Generally accepted uses of mats with this kind of foam are practice venues, home use, and youth amateur sports events.
s. They are mainly used to teach and train beginning and intermediate gymnastics skills such as rolls
, walkovers and handsprings.
. They are U-shaped and surround the springboard on three sides. In the event that the gymnast's foot misses the springboard during his or her vault attempt, he or she can push off the mat for momentum and, hopefully, avoid a serious injury. Under the current Code of Points
, these mats are mandatory for any gymnast performing a Yurchenko
-style vault.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, and in training new skills. They are usually a piece of foam ranging from 1.5-28 inches thick, covered in a vinyl or plastic lining. The foam ranges in density from relatively firm to very soft.
Landing mats are usually blue, but can also be almost any other color. Mats come in a range of sizes, from very small mats used on the beam, to very large mats, used in the foam pits.
Typically, in both competition and practice, the use of mats is mandatory. On every event except floor exercise, pommel horse
Pommel horse
The pommel horse is an artistic gymnastics apparatus. Traditionally, it is used by only male gymnasts. Originally made of a metal frame with a wooden body and a leather cover, modern pommel horses have a metal body covered with foam rubber and leather, with plastic handles .- History :The pommel...
and vault
Vault (gymnastics)
The vault is an artistic gymnastics apparatus, as well as the skill performed using that apparatus. Vaulting is also the action of performing a vault. Both male and female gymnasts perform the vault...
, gymnasts may use an additional landing mat, without deduction, which may be adjusted for distance.
Beam pads
These are thin mats that fasten around the balance beam. They are used only in training to give gymnasts training high-level skills additional protection and a wider landing space while working on the apparatus. Makeshift beam pads can also be constructed from soft mats placed over the beam surface, if necessary.Blocks
Blocks are firm, trapezoidTrapezoid
In Euclidean geometry, a convex quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides is referred to as a trapezoid in American English and as a trapezium in English outside North America. A trapezoid with vertices ABCD is denoted...
or rectangular shaped mats. They can be attached to other blocks via velcro
Velcro
Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabric hook-and-loop fastener, invented in 1948 by the Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral...
and straps. Blocks are routinely used as step-stools for gymnasts working on the bars or beam and as practice vaulting surfaces.
Crash mats
Typically, these mats are extremely thick and soft, and are used when an athlete is learning a new, high-impact skill.Folding panel mats
These mats are thin, firm mats about twelve feet in length. They usually have alternating color panels and can be folded, stacked and attached to other mats via velcro strips at the ends. Normally used for practicing tumbling moves, these mats may be stacked to provide a protective surface for gymnasts working on the low balance beam, or provide a means for a gymnast to reach the bars or rings. They have a history of usage in gymnastics, martial arts and physical education classes. Schools generally purchase new folding mats once every 7 years. These mats are perfect for providing a level of protection for the body from high impact collisions with hard solid surfaces such as hardwood or concrete flooring. There are two main categories of foam used in these types of mats, cross-linked polyethylene foam and polyurethanePolyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
foam.
Polyethylene foam
Cross-linked polyethylene foam is a very solid and sturdy foam, when being used in a folding panel gym mat—it is generally accepted to be at a standard of 1 3/8" thickness. Mats with this type of foam would be considered for professional use in sporting events.
Polyurethane foam
The foam is firm, but not as firm as the cross-linked polyethylene foam used in 1 3/8" thick models. Because of the lack of firmness mats made with this type of foam generally use specifically 2" thick 100 ILD open cell 4.5 lb. density polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
foam. Generally accepted uses of mats with this kind of foam are practice venues, home use, and youth amateur sports events.
Vinyls
Each mat although maybe of different foam generally have similar vinyl enclosures. 14 to 18 ounce polyester laminated vinyl is generally used in all folding mat applications. The vinyl covers should be fire-retardant (class - A), puncture and mildew resistant and have antibacterial properties to help maintain good hygiene. Velcro on each end of the mat allows a near seamless connection to additional mats for tumbling runs or expansive areas.Sizes
Ranging from 4' x 8' to 6' x 12', sizes usually only matter when limited by space or personal preference. In most cases - like in gymnastics multiple mats are purchased to be strung together via Velcro to create the ultimate sure footed tumbling experience. Generally mats used for gymnasiums and gymnastics come in 2' wide panels and is why many in the industry call them folding panel mats or folding mats. The 2' wide panels allow for ease in both set up and clean up when using the mats to becoming the perfect compact size for storage.Incline mats
Also known as wedge mats, cheese mats or simply "the cheese," are firm mats shaped like right triangleRight triangle
A right triangle or right-angled triangle is a triangle in which one angle is a right angle . The relation between the sides and angles of a right triangle is the basis for trigonometry.-Terminology:The side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse...
s. They are mainly used to teach and train beginning and intermediate gymnastics skills such as rolls
Roll (gymnastics)
A Roll is the most basic and fundamental skill in gymnastics. There are many variations to the skill. Rolls are similar to flips in the fact that it is a complete rotation of the body...
, walkovers and handsprings.
Springboard mats
These firm mats are used on vaultVault (gymnastics)
The vault is an artistic gymnastics apparatus, as well as the skill performed using that apparatus. Vaulting is also the action of performing a vault. Both male and female gymnasts perform the vault...
. They are U-shaped and surround the springboard on three sides. In the event that the gymnast's foot misses the springboard during his or her vault attempt, he or she can push off the mat for momentum and, hopefully, avoid a serious injury. Under the current Code of Points
Code of Points (artistic gymnastics)
A Code of Points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics. There is no unified, international code of points; every oversight organization—such as FIG , NCAA Gymnastics, and most national gymnastics federations—designs and employs its own unique Code...
, these mats are mandatory for any gymnast performing a Yurchenko
Yurchenko (vault)
Yurchenko is the name of both a specific vault and a vault family in artistic gymnastics. The Yurchenko was named after Soviet gymnast Natalia Yurchenko, who originated the vault in the early 1980s....
-style vault.