​For gymnasts to perform safely, they need to use accessories that can help them land in safety. One of the safest tools you can find is a gymnastics mat. But gymnastics mats are different from the one you bring outdoor for a picnic.

What is Gymnastics Mats

Gymnastics mat is made up of a piece of foam covered with a leather, vinyl or plastic lining. The thickness is ranging from 1.5 to 28 inches enough to prevent athletes from getting injured. 

​Mats commonly come in blue color but there are now many options available. There are different mat sizes used in different training and practices. Small types are on the beam while the very large ones are for the foam pits.

These mats can absorb shock that can prevent users from slipping. Without mats, no gymnast can go back home without pain.

Common Types of Gymnastics Mats

Folding Panel Mats

Folding panel mats are thin and firm types that are about twelve feet long. These mats can be folded, hence the name, stacked and attached to the other mats by using Velcro strips. Folding mats are used for practicing tumbling moves and low balance beam routines as it provides a protective surface for anyone working.

​Blocks

Blocks are trapezoid or rectangular in shape mats used as step-stools for gymnasts. They can be attached to each other via straps and are firm enough to give a comfortable feel for players on bar or beam and also during vaulting practices.

Crash Mats

Crash mats are extremely thick yet very soft. They can work well in practicing high-impact routines by just bouncing. These kinds of mats are usually used when athletes are learning new skills.

​Beam Pads

Unlike crash mats, beam pads are thin. They are fastened around a balance beam to give gymnasts additional protection and a wider landing space when working on the apparatus.

Tips When Buying Gymnastics Mats for Home

​If you would like to use mats for your home, consider the thickness and dimensions. See to it you purchase one that will fit in your area. Folding mats or panel mats might be good as it can be folded to fit any space. However, you can still opt for other types for a more comfortable practicing. 

Sports are not just about winning. Sometimes, there are failure and disappointment come the way. Experiencing failure once in life can be out of bad luck. Sometimes, it is due to negligence and poor planning.
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Failure is a very common setback in sports that can ruin the entire game. If not handled correctly, it can ruin your entire world. Don’t let things hold you back by discovering the five common causes of failure and see what you can do to fight it.

#1: Distractions

What distractions can you think of? Financial difficulties? Family feuds? Love problems? Well, these can be a big problem but some simple things like your phone, your gear and outfit can also be the reason why you fail. Life is full of challenges. No matter what the reason of your distractions is, don’t let them take over you.

#2: Arrogance

​It is okay to be proud of what you have achieved of what’s wrong is to feel too much about it. Arrogance has nothing to do with success. Never feel like you are always the upper hand. Don’t overlook others. Be willing to listen to other’s advice. Humility is more important than your superiority. Remember, winners, are the humble persons that help others, not the ones that step on them.

#3: Lack of Belief and Motivation

Success is associated with strong belief and motivation. If you are lack of it, you can't win. Athletes who believe in themselves can avoid losing. They are not afraid to play and be the first one to practice. This level of motivation helps fire up resiliency against the feeling of negativity.

​#4: Bad Work Ethic

Establishing a good work ethic is important to anyone who plays. It can help one become disciplined, organized and responsible. A talented kid who thinks he does not need to practice may end up quitting the career without having anything accomplished. Don’t think as if you can flip the switch on game day because even the real winners know what it takes to work hardly.

​Final Thoughts

Failure is a part of our lives. However, experiencing crashes over and over again is a different thing. I hope this article sheds some light on your failure issues. Win the battle of life by facing up failures and quit in no way.

​Gymnastics is one of the most popular sports to watch during the Olympics. Gymnasts can do extraordinary feats. They can perform amazing splits, handsprings, and flips. Their stunning moves are so much stunning, like no bones.

Are these athletes born this way? Or do they do flexibility training? Answers might surprise you.

The Truth about Flexibility in Gymnastics

​If you wonder why gymnasts can bend like no bones, think about the power of flexibility. While some athletes are born with a super smooth body, others have to work hard in training to achieve this. 

​Gymnastics is a coordination of strength and flexibility. This helps to prevent injury. If a gymnast decides not to stretch shoulders during handspring, he/ she will have a difficult time to keep arms extended behind the head. Sometimes, it could tear a ligament and cause serious damage.
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Teaching flexibility is important for the progression of tricks and skills. Here are some of the reasons why gymnasts are so flexible.

​#1: Soft and Young Joints

Gymnasts tend to have young and soft joints because they exercise a lot. Human joints typically stiffen as they age. Unlike in the old days, most athletes in gymnastics nowadays are quite young. Younger gymnastics have stronger and more agile bones that make them perform so supple.

#2: Delayed Puberty

Gymnasts, most especially girls, experience delayed puberty because their body burns more fat than usual. Intense exercises increase the need for certain calories essential for one’s growth. Athletes are trained more than 30 hours a week which could develop eating disorders.

​Nevertheless, such intense training allows gymnasts to get a smaller and swifter body that is more timber.

Thoughts to Ponder

You don’t need to be extremely flexible to be a gymnast. People with generalized ligamentous laxity, sometimes known as “double-joined” are very flexible. But having these conditions are too risky.
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Sometimes, too much flexibility is associated with a life-threatened disease. In other words, it sounds good but quite deadly.
Taking up flexibility training is always essential. Have a professional coach with you or contact Gym Starz for assistance. 

Without discipline, it is impossible to reach success. Discipline is an essential foundation that molds an athlete’s future. Many people seemed to have immense potential but never get a lifetime career because they lack one thing – discipline.
Discover some more benefits you can get with discipline and learn what you can do to build it.

Participating in Sports​

To build discipline in yourself, one of the best things you can do is to engage in sports. Sports provide lifelong discipline that can help later on in life the whole lot. It can also create a strong athlete character essential in achieving great things.

​Being disciplined can be both rewarding and stressing. Stressing in a sense that you need to stick in the rules no matter what. Rewarding, on the other hand, because you and everyone around you will get a lot of advantages in return.

Benefits of Discipline

Value of Hardwork

Most things have no shortcuts. Everything has to pass the first step before reaching the successful end. As with sports, not to mention gymnastics, hard work is a useful ingredient. Athletes have to work hard, devote their time and strength in order to master routines.

​Deal with Losses

In life, there are times we win; there are also times we lose. And losses really hurt. However, you can easily manage those loses if you are disciplined enough. It is good to remember that learning from failure is more important as it helps yourself improve to a tougher you the next time.

Set and Accomplish Goals

Successful athletes do have goals, both short-term and long-term. Simple goals like learning a new skill within a week or improving techniques in a week or two can be learned in no time with discipline. Discipline gives focus on accomplishing these. Having a goal-setting skill is very much essential in sports and many other areas in life.

​The Bottom Line

Self-discipline makes it easier for an athlete to recognize the importance of every single thing in life. If you live with it, you have a big chance of winning.