The best gymnastics equipment isn’t necessarily the biggest bundle or the product with the lowest price. It’s equipment that suits the gymnast’s age, height, experience, available space and the skills they genuinely want to practice.

Gymnastics Direct has supplied equipment to Australian families, schools, clubs and coaches since 2006. Over the past 20 years, we have helped customers choose equipment for first-time gymnasts, teenagers, adults, schools and high-performance training environments. This guide explains what to look for and which equipment may suit different training needs.

How we created this guide

These recommendations draw on 20 years of experience supplying and supporting gymnastics equipment across Australia. We considered verified product specifications, feedback from customers, testimonials from gymnastics clubs and coaches, and the questions families and professionals regularly ask our team.

Where applicable, we also considered independent safety testing, manufacturer information and feedback from customers using the equipment in home, school and club environments.

We assessed each option according to:

• The gymnast’s age, height, weight and experience
• The skills the equipment is intended to support
• Construction materials, stability and intended use
• Static and dynamic weight ratings where verified
• Mat thickness, foam density and intended purpose
• Storage requirements and available training space
• Safety testing applicable to the exact product
• Warranty coverage and included accessories
• Feedback from families, coaches, clubs and organisations
• Product support and realistic upgrade pathways

No single product is best for every gymnast. Our recommendations explain who each product is best suited to, what makes it different and when another option may be more appropriate.

Quick gymnastics equipment guide

Please note: This table is a general starting point. The most suitable equipment will depend on the gymnast’s age, height, weight, experience, intended skills and available training space.

What to look for when buying gymnastics equipment

Product descriptions often use broad terms such as high quality, premium or safe. Those claims are more useful when they are supported by specific information. Before purchasing, check:

• The product’s intended age, height, weight and skill guidelines

• The construction of the frame, rail, beam core, foam or inflatable surface

• Whether published weight ratings are static or dynamic

• The dimensions of both the product and the safe training area it requires

• Whether a mat is intended for floor practice, tumbling or landing protection

• Safety testing and the exact products covered by that testing

• What is included with the product

• The manufacturer’s warranty and exclusions

• Whether specialist advice and after-sales support are available

Price is one part of the decision. Equipment that is unsuitable for the gymnast or the intended skill is not good value, regardless of the initial saving.

Best first balance beam for beginners

The Gymnastics Direct Starter Beam is the best first balance beam for beginners. It provides a low, supportive surface for gymnasts developing balance, coordination and confidence.

Measuring 275cm long with a standard 10cm working surface, it combines a high-density foam core with a durable 18oz vinyl cover. Its low training height helps beginners become comfortable performing foundational beam movements, while the foldable construction makes it easier to store between sessions.

The Starter Beam can be used for walking, balancing, basic poses, turns, jumps, handstands, cartwheels and introductory beam sequences. Appropriate matting should be positioned around the beam, particularly when gymnasts begin practising more challenging movements.

Best suited to: Beginner gymnasts who need a low, forgiving training beam before progressing to a firmer or raised model.

Best adjustable home balance beam

The 2.4m Adjustable Balance Beam offers a progression from floor-level practice to elevated beam training. Its wooden core is covered in durable industrial suede to provide a firmer, competition-style feel. The 10cm working surface helps gymnasts become familiar with the standard beam width.

The beam can be used at three height settings: 20cm, 35cm and 45cm. Its solid, non-folding construction provides a consistent training surface across the full length.

Best suited to: Beginner and intermediate gymnasts ready to progress beyond a soft starter beam.

Best longer beams for routines and connected skills

Gymnastics Direct's 3m Elite Beam and 3.5m Elite Beam is the best choice for gymnasts wanting to link skills and practice short routines.

Their aluminium cores deliver a sturdy, warp-resistant structure while keeping the equipment practical to reposition. Industrial suede creates a competition-style feel. Customers can choose floor feet, 30cm feet or adjustable feet, depending on the product and intended training height.

Best suited to: Progressing gymnasts, teenagers and adults who need more length for combinations and continued beam development.

Best gymnastics bar for younger home gymnasts

Gymnastics Direct's Junior Foldable Bar is intended for junior gymnasts, generally aged approximately four to twelve, depending on their height, weight and skill level. It adjusts from approximately 95cm to 150cm and features a fibreglass rail with a sturdy steel frame.

This bar can support conditioning, casts, kips, hip circles and other appropriate junior bar progressions. Its folding mechanism allows the frame to fold flatter for storage, making it useful for families without a permanent training area.

Best suited to: Junior gymnasts within the stated height and weight recommendations who are developing fundamental bar skills.

Consider a larger bar if the gymnast is taller, heavier or working on skills that require greater height and stability. The Elite Junior Bar also adjusts up to 150cm and has verified ratings of 150kg static and 70kg dynamic. A suitable mat should always be positioned beneath your gymnastics bar.

Best compact inflatable mat for home training

The Gymnastics Direct 3m Air Track is designed for beginner and intermediate gymnasts who want to practice individual skills at home. Measuring 3m × 1m × 10cm, it offers a compact surface for cartwheels, handstands, round-offs, walkovers, jumps and introductory tumbling drills.

Unlike fully machine-pressed inflatable products, Gymnastics Direct Air Tracks are individually hand-glued, allowing closer attention to be given to the joins, valves and finishing throughout production. They are manufactured using premium 1000-denier drop-stitch material with durable double-wall construction, creating a strong and responsive training surface designed for repeated use.

This considered construction process may contribute to a higher purchase price than some mass-produced alternatives. However, when comparing inflatable gymnastics equipment, it is important to consider the materials, construction, included accessories, warranty and after-sales support—not price alone.

Best suited to: Beginner and intermediate gymnasts practicing individual skills in a suitable home environment.

Consider a longer Air Track if the gymnast needs room to connect several tumbling skills. Gymnastics Direct Air Tracks measuring 4m and longer are 20cm thick and provide more room for connected passes and progression.

Best all-purpose gymnastics mat

A quality folding mat is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment for home training. Gymnastics Direct Gymnastics Folding Mats are available in 2m, 2.5m and 3m lengths. They use high-density EPE foam with a durable 18oz vinyl cover and include Velcro at the ends so compatible mats can be joined into a longer surface.

They can be used for forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, bridges, stretching, conditioning and appropriate introductory floor skills. Their folding construction also makes them convenient where equipment must be packed away between sessions.

Applicable Gymnastics Direct mats have undergone AS 4422:2022 impact attenuation testing. Check the individual product page or contact our team to confirm the testing applicable to the exact mat you are considering.

Best suited to: Families, schools and clubs wanting a versatile surface for gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, martial arts or general movement practice.

Best mat for creating a larger training floor

The 2m Non-Folding Mat measures 200cm × 120cm × 4.2cm and includes Velcro on all four sides. Several mats can be joined in different directions, making it particularly useful for schools, early-learning environments, martial arts and permanent home setups.

It uses high-density EPE foam with a high-wear 18oz vinyl cover and provides a continuous surface without folding joints.

Best mat for landing protection

A standard folding mat and a crash mat perform different jobs. The 20cm Folding Crash Mat is designed to provide deeper cushioning for suitable supervised landing practice around bars, beams and tumbling stations.

It measures 240cm × 150cm × 20cm when open and folds to 120cm × 150cm × 40cm for storage. The mat uses an 18oz vinyl cover and integrated handles for easier repositioning. Folding and non-folding options are available, and custom colours or dimensions can be produced for facilities with specific requirements.

A crash mat does not remove the need for appropriate coaching, supervision, skill preparation or a safe training environment.

Best gymnastics training aids

Training aids should be chosen according to the gymnast and the skill being developed. A larger package is not automatically a better training setup if the included products do not suit the user.

Incline wedge

A Folding Incline Mat can assist with rolling movements and appropriate walkover or handspring progressions. Gymnastics Direct incline wedges use high-density foam with an 18oz vinyl cover and are available in several sizes. The correct size depends on the gymnast and the intended drill.

Gymnastics octagon

A Gymnastics Octagon provides a supportive shape for gymnasts developing confidence with backward movements and skills such as walkovers. Small, medium and large options are available for different age and height ranges.

Air barrel

An Air Barrel provides an inflatable surface for front and back walkover drills and other appropriate rotational progressions. It is available in 60cm and 90cm diameters and includes an electric pump and repair kit.

Spotting block

Spotting Blocks give coaches, teachers and athletes a stable platform for spotting, station work, skill progressions and apparatus training. Gymnastics Direct Spotting Blocks use 28kg high-density EPE foam with a PVC vinyl cover and integrated carrying handles. Several sizes are available for different training environments.

Trusted by Australian gymnastics professionals

For 20 years, Gymnastics Direct has supplied equipment to gymnastics clubs, coaches, schools and organisations across Australia. Add two or three specific testimonials here once permission has been confirmed.

"At Bounce Gymnastics, having quality and reliable equipment is a big part of what we do every day. We’ve had a great experience with Gymnastics Direct and appreciate the range of equipment they offer, from fold-out beams and boxes to so much more. As coaches, we rely on our equipment every day, so having products that support our different programs and the needs of our gymnasts is really important to us.

We’re always looking for ways to provide the best possible experience for our gymnasts, and having a reliable equipment supplier makes a real difference. We’re happy to recommend Gymnastics Direct to other clubs looking for quality gymnastics equipment."

-- Bounce Gymnastics. Girraween, NSW.

"Game On PDHPE & Sport Education finds the gear and service from Gymnastics Direct to be top-notch for our students; they have a huge range of equipment that’s really versatile for keeping things fun, so I’d definitely recommend them.

-- Marko, Game On PDHPE. Sydney, NSW.

"The service was exemplary. From inquiry to quote to delivery into Victoria took less than one week. Could not speak more highly of the staff at Gymnastics Direct Australia."

-- Andrew, Wantirna College. VIC.

"As both an acrobat and the owner of Pro Steps Acrobatic Coaching, I’ve been incredibly impressed with Gymnastics Direct equipment. The quality, durability and performance are fantastic, and having equipment I can trust both in my own training and when coaching my students is invaluable. We own multiple quality Gymnastics Direct products, and genuinely love them!

I would highly recommend Gymnastics Direct to any acrobat, coach or club looking for reliable, high-quality equipment. Whatever you’re looking for Gymnastics Direct have a wide range are always happy to help!"

-- Steph, Pro Steps. The Hunter, NSW. 

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Gymnastics Direct?

Gymnastics Direct began as The Beam Shop in 2006. Twenty years later, we continue to help Australian families, schools, clubs and coaches select equipment based on how it will actually be used.

Our range includes equipment for first-time gymnasts, teenagers, adult gymnasts, schools and competitive clubs. We also provide custom equipment and can offer guidance before and after purchase.

The best equipment is the equipment that suits the gymnast, the skill and the training environment. If you aren’t sure what to choose, contact the Gymnastics Direct team before purchasing.

What is the best gymnastics equipment for beginners?

Gymnastics Direct's Starter Beam and quality gymnastics mat are often the most versatile starting combination. An Air Track or Junior Bar can be added when it suits the gymnast’s interests, available space and experience.

Is an Air Track better than a gymnastics mat?

A gymnastics mat and an Air Track perform different functions, and the right choice depends on the gymnast’s skills, training goals and available space. A gymnastics mat provides a firmer surface for floor skills, stretching and general practice. An Air Track provides rebound and impact reduction for tumbling. Many gymnasts benefit from having access to both.

How thick should a gymnastics mat be?

Thickness should be assessed alongside foam density and intended use. A 4.2cm tumbling mat and a 20cm crash mat perform very different jobs. A thicker mat is not automatically better for every skill.

What size gymnastics bar should I buy?

Gymnastics Direct's best selling bar is the Junior Foldable Bar. Though, you should consider the gymnast’s height, weight, age and intended skills. Maximum bar height alone is not enough to determine whether a bar is suitable.

Can gymnastics equipment be left outside?

Our items can be used outside, but should be stored indoors, in a dry environment, unless a product is specifically designed for permanent outdoor use. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, rain and moisture can damage vinyl, suede, foam, timber, metal components and inflatable products.