Blog

Gymnastics mats do more than soften landings, they’re essential tools for safety, skill development, and performance. But with so many types available, choosing the right mat can feel overwhelming. From Competition Landing Mats to Training Mats, folding mats, incline mats, and inflatable mats, each serves a unique purpose. Here’s a guide to help you pick the perfect mat for your space and training needs.

Tips for Choosing the Right Gymnastics Mat

• Identify the purpose: Are you practicing skills, simulating competition, or providing extra safety?
• Consider thickness & density: Landing mats need more cushioning; competition mats require firm surfaces.
• Size & portability: Folding and inflatable mats are ideal for limited space or multi-use areas.
• Durability & cover material: Vinyl or coated surfaces are easy to clean and long-lasting.

Competition Landing Mats

Competition Landing Mats provide the perfect balance of safety, stability, and performance. These mats are firm in the right areas to absorb impact from high dismounts and tumbling passes, while still mimicking the feel of competition surfaces.

On our site, this category also includes apparatus surround mats specifically designed for parallel bars, pommel horse, and vault. These mats provide full coverage around the equipment, ensuring safe landings during practice or competition.

Key features and uses:

• Impact absorption: Cushions landings from vaults, bars, and beam dismounts.
• Competition-ready surfaces: Firm yet safe, ideal for floor and apparatus routines.
• Apparatus surrounds: Protects areas around men’s and women’s equipment.
• Durable covers: Vinyl or coated surfaces resist wear, tear, and chalk.

Training Mats

Training Mats are softer, more forgiving mats designed to help athletes learn and perfect skills safely. Training mats are essential for both beginner skill development and advanced training programs.This category includes a variety of mats tailored to skill development:

• Skill cushions & throw mats: Perfect for learning flips, twists, and aerial skills safely.
• Resi-pits: Soft landing areas for repeated tumbling or dismount practice.
• Soft landing mats & dismount mats: Extra cushioning for high-impact landings or drops.

Why training mats matter:

• Safety during skill progression: Reduces injury risk for beginners and advanced athletes.
• Confidence building: Allows gymnasts to attempt new skills without fear.
• Versatility: Suitable for tumbling, bars, vault, and floor exercises.
• Durable construction: High-quality padding and covers maintain shape through frequent use. 

Folding Mats

Folding Mats are highly versatile, portable, and easy to store. Because they fold, you can stack them to create thicker landing zones when needed, making them ideal for multi-purpose spaces. They are perfect for gyms or homes with limited space and can be used for:

• Tumbling practice
• Conditioning drills
• Warm-ups
• General floor exercises

Incline Mats (Wedges / Cheese Mats)

Incline Mats, often called wedges or cheese mats, are angled mats designed to help athletes progress skills safely. They’re especially useful for young gymnasts or athletes building strength and confidence in new skills.

Common uses include:

• Rolling, handstand, and flip drills
• Tumbling basics for beginners
• Support during skill progression

Air / Inflatable Tumbling Mats

Air Mats provide a bouncy, shock-absorbing surface that’s perfect for tumbling passes, flips, and drills that require lift without the harsh impact. They’re lightweight, portable, and easy to store, making them a favorite for both gyms and at-home training setups. Just remember: Air Mats are not landing mats. They’re built for technique and repetition, not for absorbing hard landings.

Use them for:

• Tumbling, flips, and drills that need bounce
• Controlled skill development with reduced joint stress
• Portable, quick setup for gyms or home use
• Supplementing traditional mat setups, not replacing them

Air mats are a popular choice for gyms or homes that want extra cushioning with portability.

There’s a mat for every athlete and every skill. Whether you need Competition Landing Mats, Training Mats, folding, incline, or inflatable mats, we have options to fit your gym or home training space.

Shop All Gymnastics Mats