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JO Competition Setup

Junior Olympic competition rules require 12cm thick landing mats underneath the beams, along with having some supplemental mats available for dismounting.  Per the 2014-2015 Women’s Rules and Policies, the following beam landing mats are the minimum required for levels 6-10 competition.

• Mount Area – 7.5′ wide x 18′ long (levels 6-10)
• Dismount Area – 7.5′ wide x 12′ long (levels 6-10)
• Underneath Beam – 15′ wide x 15-1/2′ long (levels 6-10)

For our meet setups, we “over-mat” just a little bit, using 8′ wide mats on then ends and using 15.5′ long for the dismount area.  Here is what it looks like:

• A: 416-123 – 7.5’ x 15.5’ x 12cm Firm Landing Mat (2 underneath the beam)
• B: 416-197 – 8’ x 15.5’ x 12cm Firm Landing Mat (2 – 1 at each end of beam)
• C: 416-663 – 5’ x 10’ x 8” Skill Cushion
• D: 416-583 – 4’6” x 10’ x 1-1/2” Sting Mat
• E: 416-319 – 7’ x 10’ x 4” Throw Mat
• F: 416-184 – 4’ x 7.5’ x 12cm Slab Landing Mat (1 at “Runup” end)
• G: 416-315 – 12cm Beam Filler Mats (1 set – covers each beam leg)

Balance Beam Shown: 407-440 – ELITE RA Balance Beam

Not shown: 416-325 – Beam Leg Pads

FIG Competition Setup

The FIG requires 20cm thick landing mats for international competition.  Additionally, they require a larger area be matted for the mount and dismount areas, as well as the area underneath the beam.  Here is the FIG required matting for balance beam:

• A: 416-558 – 8’ x 15’ 6” x 20cm V-2
• B: 416-263 – 8’ x 15’ x 10cm Supplemental Throw Mat- (on top of mat F)
• C: 416-264 – 8’ x 12′ V-Spec
• D: 416-557 – 8’ x 12’ x 20cm V-2
• E: 416-574 FIG Beam Filler System – 16’ x 3′ x 20cm
• F: 416-262 – 8′ x 15′ 6″ x 20cm V-Spec

Training Beam Area Setup

Mats for balance beam in a training environment are seen in lots of different shapes, sizes and configurations.  Typically, the matting needs for a gym depend on the level of gymnasts training, the space available, and the number of beams being used.  We usually recommend a 7.5′ wide mat under the beam with a minimum of 12cm thickness.  Depending on the needs of the gym, we will design for a dismount area on one end and at least a 4′ mat on the other end if they don’t need (or have room for) a run-up area.

Here is an example of how 3 beams running parallel could be matted for a gym:

• A: 416-123 – 7.5’x15.5’x12cm Firm Landing Mat
• B: 416-184 – 4’x7.5’x12cm Slab Landing Mat
• C: 416-123 – 7.5’x15.5’x12cm Firm Landing Mat
• D: 416-315 – 12cm Beam Filler Mats (2 sets – each beam leg)
• E: 416-663 – 5’x10’x8” Skill Cushion

Balance Beam Shown: 407-440 – ELITE RA Balance Beam

Not shown: 416-325 – Beam Leg Pads

Gym Design 

Recently, we helped one of our clients, Hayden’s Gymnastics in Evans, GA do a redesign of their gym layout. We configured a fitted mat system for their beam area which included 5 high beams and 2 low beams. All mats velcro together, so they now have a very safe, low maintenance, training environment for their gymnasts.  They are also relieved to no longer have to worry about mats shifting and exposed concrete areas that open up the possibility for injury.

If American Gymnast can help you with any gym design services, please go HERE for more information or feel free to call us at: 1-877-789-2267

If you have a great beam setup in your facility, please share it with us. Send us your photos on our Facebook page or tell us about it in the comments below.

Brad Thornton

Strength & Fitness Team Lead

The post What’s the Best Way to Mat Your Balance Beams? appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

Growing up, my siblings and I never had any home-use gymnastics products and using couches, chairs, beds and pillows just wasn’t the best way to train. I can still remember my mom’s constant frustration with us bouncing all over the house. She had to deal with 4 gymnasts under one roof!

The products available for home use now are awesome and made so ergonomically they can fit in to any home. The Nastia Liukin line of products in particular have become extremely popular – durable, safe and affordable for home-use.

Two products in particular that are essential for girls practicing at home are the Nastia Liukin Junior Balance Beam and the 4’x8′ Nastia Tumbling Mat. This combination provides a great way for beginner gymnast to train basic skills safely and comfortably at home.

Nastia 8′ Junior Balance Beam & Tumbling Mat

First, the Junior Balance Beam is meant to mimic a competition beam but on a smaller scale. It’s only 8 feet long which is small enough to fit in to any room but long enough for your gymnast to practice their leaps, handstands, jumps, back walkovers etc. It also has that same suede covering used on a competition beam, so they feel just like they are back at the gym. That’s pretty cool! Man, if I only had a pommel horse in my home, I wouldn’t have been so bad at it!

So, you have your beam, now you just need a mat underneath for safety. The Nastia 8 ft. Tumbling Mat fits perfectly underneath, running the entire length of the beam and is firm enough for the beam legs to sit directly on top.  Now you have a rockin home beam set up!

Another great thing about your mat is it is also multi-functional. Of course it is a tumbling mat, so you can use it for back handspring training, cartwheels, round-offs etc, but it also will fold into a block, so you can use it for over-splits, other stretches and even plyometrics if desired.

My niece McClure has this exact set-up at home and loves it. She’s put in a lot of time on it and it definitely shows with her improvement. In the video below, Jay goes in to a little more detail on the two items and McClure shows you a portion of her Level 2 beam routine.

Hope you enjoyed that! Right now all Nastia products are currently on sale for the Holiday Season. You can shop for the Nastia Junior Balance Beam here>>

Happy Holidays!

Brad Thornton

Strength & Fitness Team Lead

The post Nastia Liukin Balance Beam and Tumbling Mat Make Perfect Holiday Gift appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

The choices of balance beams on the internet can be overwhelming, so I made this video to explain why you only need to look at 3 different types of beams for home use.  This video will help you decide which gymnastics beam is best suited for your gymnast as well as your budget. Plus, at American Gymnast, we only focus on providing the highest quality and safest beams on the market, so you can shop with confidence when buying from AG.

There are basically 3 different styles of Balance Beams designed for Home Use:

•    Beginner Balance Beams
•    Junior Balance Beams
•    Training Balance Beams

American Gymnast offers 2 Foam Balance Beams that are considered Beginner Balance Beams. These two beams are identical except that one is grey and the other is pink and bears Olympic Champion, Nastia Liukin’s signature screen-printed on the surface. As the name suggests, these beams are made out of a firm polyethylene foam.  The top surface is 4” wide, and then tapers out to a base that is approximately 6” wide to provide stability.  The thickness of the foam is 2” and is firm enough for the gymnast to walk across and perform basic tumbling and dance skills and leaps.

The Junior Balance Beams are a step up from the Beginner Beams in that these beams are manufactured with a wood core as opposed to foam.  They are covered with a padded suede, exactly like what you find on competitive balance beams.  The working surface of these beams is also 4” wide and the top of the beam is approximately 5-1/2” off the ground.  You’ll also notice that these beams have 3 support legs underneath, making them much more stable and durable than other brands that you will find on the market. You can choose from 2 different lengths of Junior Balance Beams – the 8’ length and the 10’ length.  It is important to realize that the 8’ beam can ship via Fedex for around $35-$45 dollars anywhere in the continental US.  However, the 10’ Junior Beam is too long to ship via FedEx or UPS, so it must ship via a trucking company.  This will typically cost about $140 – $160 depending on where in the US you live.

Training Balance Beams are the last type of balance beams American Gymnast sells for home use.  The AG Low Padded Balance Beam, which is 12’ long, 12” high to the top of the beam, and is manufactured with a steel core, is the most durable of our Home Use Balance Beams.  This beam would be best suited for girls that are already competing and want a solid balance beam that can accommodate all of their leaps and tumbling and dance skills.  This beam also must ship motor freight, but is generally pretty reasonable to ship for around $150 – $200 depending on where you live in the US.

Of course, occasionally we have customers that want a full-length 16-1/2’ long competitive style balance beam for home use.  And yes, we sell those too … but we have them listed here, since it is usually coaches or gym owners that are purchasing those.

Buy your Gymnastics Beam for Home Now>>

If you ever have questions or don’t see exactly what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call (1-877-789-2267), or just Instant Message our online support staff.

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton
American Gymnast
http://wwww.american-gymnast.com

The post Choosing the Best Gymnastics Beams for Home Use appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

Since shopping during the Holiday Season is so crazy and chaotic, I wanted to make sure it was super simple to find gymnastics gifts for your gymnasts from American Gymnast this Holiday Season.

This video goes over our Holiday Gymnastics Ideas and Stocking Stuffer Ideas for your gymnasts.  These items are currently in-stock, but will be selling out quickly, so watch the video now and place your orders!

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton
American Gymnast

The post Gymnastics Gifts for the Holidays Simplified appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

Your Reflex Balance Beam should arrive in 3 packages:

• #407441 Base Assembly (Qty. 2)
• #407442 Adjustable Reflex Beam Assembly (Qty. 1)
or #407432 NA Reflex Beam Assembly (Qty. 1)

You will need (2) 9/16 wrenches and a hammer for assembly

To begin assembly, lay the beam assembly upside down on the cardboard packaging material
to keep the performance surface clean.

Lift the base assembly and align the ears on the upright with the hole in the reflex mechanism
that is protruding from the end plate. Starting with the tapered end, tap 13 mm x 55 mm
spring pin (No. 1) into the hole until it is centered. Slide a 3/8 washer (No. 4) onto the 3/8 x
2-1/2 hex head cap screw (No. 6). Insert through the spring pin and slide another 3/8 washer
(No. 4) on before installing the 3/8 nylok jam nut. Tighten the bolts securely using (2) 9/16”
wrenches.

Next align the brace with the ears on the end plate. Attach these two parts together by tapping
in the 13 mm x 80 mm spring pin (No. 2), starting with the tapered end. Slide a 3/8 washer
(No. 4) onto the 3/8 x 3-1/2 hex head cap screw (No. 5). Insert through the spring pin and
slide another 3/8 washer (No. 4) on before installing the 3/8 nylok jam nut. Tighten the bolts
securely using (2) 9/16” wrenches.

Repeat above procedure for the other end of the balance beam.

Turn the beam over, taking care not to turn one side without turning the other side at the same time.

For more information regarding gymnastics equipment, mats, gymnastics grips and supplies, go to http://wwww.american-gymnast.com.

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton
American Gymnast

The post AAI Adjustable Balance Beam – Video Assembly Instructions appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

Since there are literally hundreds of different balance beams found on the internet, I made this video to help you differentiate between all of them and enable you to purchase the gymnastics beam best suited for your situation.

Click Here to see how we’ve really simplified the selection of Home Use Beams down to focus strictly on providing the highest quality and safest beams on the market.

There are basically 3 different styles of Balance Beams designed for Home Use:

•    Beginner Balance Beams
•    Junior Balance Beams
•    Training Balance Beams

Our Foam Balance Beams are considered Beginner Balance Beams. These two beams are identical except that one is grey and the other is pink and bears Olympic Champion, Nastia Liukin’s signature screen-printed on the surface. As the name suggests, these beams are made out of a firm polyethylene foam.  The top surface is 4” wide, and then tapers out to a base that is approximately 6” wide to provide stability.  The thickness of the foam is 2” and is firm enough for the gymnast to walk across and perform basic tumbling and dance skills and leaps.

The Junior Balance Beams are a step up from the Beginner Beams in that these beams are manufactured with a wood core as opposed to foam.  They are covered with a padded suede very similar to what you find on competitive balance beams.  The working surface of these beams is also 4” wide and the top of the beam is approximately 5-1/2” off the ground.  You’ll also notice that these beams have 3 support legs underneath, making them much more stable and durable than other brands that you will find on the market. You’ll see that there are 2 lengths to choose from on the Junior Balance Beams – the 8’ length and the 10’ length.  It is important to realize that the 8’ beam can ship via Fedex for around $35-$45 dollars anywhere in the continental US.  However, the 10’ Junior Beam is too long to ship via FedEx or UPS, so it must ship via a trucking company.  This will typically cost about $120 – $200 depending on where in the US you live.

Training Balance Beams are the last type of balance beams American Gymnast sells for home use.  For this, see our AG Low Padded Balance Beam, which is 12’ long, 12” high to the top of the beam, and is manufactured with a steel core, making it the most durable of our Home Use Balance Beams.  This beam would be best suited for girls that are already competing and want a solid balance beam that can accommodate all of their leaps and tumbling and dance skills.  This beam also must ship motor freight, but is generally pretty reasonable to ship for around $140 – $200 depending on where you live in the US.

Of course, occasionally we have customers that want a full-length 16-1/2’ long competitive style balance beam for home use.  And yes, we sell those too … but we have them listed under our more general category here, since it is usually coaches or gym owners that are purchasing those.

If you ever have questions or don’t see exactly what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call (1-877-789-2267), or just Instant Message our online support staff.

Thanks for shopping with American Gymnast.  It’s more than a name.  It’s who we are!

The post How to Choose a Balance Beam for Home appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.