Three sports,one place forthe right gear.
Buying guides for dance shoes and wear, gymnastics mats, beams, bars and grips, and cheer shoes, uniforms and tumbling gear, with sizing and safety for athletes, parents, studios and coaches.
Pick your discipline
Dance, gymnastics and cheer each have their own gear. Shared studio and tumbling equipment sits in its own section.
Size it, set it up, train safely
Choose an inflatable air track for tumbling: lengths from about 10 to 40 feet, thickness, drop-stitch construction, pumps, firmness, space and supervision.
Choose ballet slippers: full sole vs split sole, leather vs canvas, sizing and elastics, what teachers often require, and when dancers are ready for pointe shoes.
Choose cheer shoes: lightweight and flexible soles, traction on spring floors and mats, finger grips for stunting, cushioning, sizing and squad requirements.
Dance, Gymnastics and Cheer Gear questions, answered
What size air track should I buy?
For home use, 10 to 20 feet fits most spaces. Gyms and teams often use longer tracks.
Read: Air Track Buying Guide →Should beginners wear full sole or split sole ballet shoes?
Many teachers start beginners in full-sole shoes to build foot strength. Follow your studio's dress code.
Read: Ballet Shoes →What are finger grips on cheer shoes?
Grooves or cutouts under the sole that help bases grip a flyer's feet during stunts.
Read: Cheer Shoes →When should a gymnast start using dowel grips?
When their coach decides, usually once they perform giant swings or other advanced bar skills.
Read: Gymnastics Grips →How wide is a gymnastics balance beam?
Competition beams are 10 cm (about 4 inches) wide. Most home beams match that width.
Read: Home Balance Beams →What thickness gymnastics mat is best for home?
About 1.5 to 2 inches for floor skills, and thicker landing mats under beams and bars.
Read: Home Gymnastics Mats →Safety and sizing first
Every guide covers sizing and fit first, because the wrong size is the most common problem.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The dance, gymnastics and cheer gear index
- 01DanceBallet slippers, pointe shoes, jazz, tap, lyrical and ballroom shoes, leotards, tights and dancewear.1 page
- 02GymnasticsHome and club gymnastics mats, balance beams, bars, grips and gymnastics leotards.3 pages
- 03CheerCheer shoes, uniforms and practice wear, pom-poms, bows and squad gear.1 page
- 04Tumbling & studioAir tracks, incline and folding mats, portable barres, studio flooring, mirrors and travel bags.2 pages
- 05Competition & travelGarment and costume bags, rolling duffels, backpacks and costume care for competition weekends.0 pages
- 06Beginners & parentsKids' and beginner guides by discipline: sizing, safety, what to buy first and what can wait.0 pages