Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I may receive commissions for these items. I am also affiliated with Hyperice, ATG, & VIVOBAREFOOT. These are brands I love, respect, and have personally used for years. I would never lead ya astray ✨
What should you get your gymnast for Christmas? 🎅
You’re a proud parent of a gravity-defying, spring-filled gymnast! Now it’s time to encourage their passion through a little ✨Christmas Magic✨
Although it may be tempting to get your flying squirrel a home air track or a set of bars, it really does more harm than good.
Practicing on their own without coach supervision can create bad habits that are hard to undo, and be downright dangerous.
Listen, I’m not tryna be a Grinch.
As a gymnastics injury prevention specialist, I’m here to tell you that you can get your gravity-challenged gymnast a heap of presents that will not only help prevent injuries and promote good form…
But they’re also gifts your child will be EXCITED about! 🤩
So, got your Christmas list ready? 📋
1.) Vibrating Foam Roller
The Vyper 3 by HYPERICE is the top tier creme-de-la-creme of foam rollers. I have the old version, but I’m still in love. It’s relaxing, it’s small, it holds a charge, and it’s just a fun little gadget.
WHY IT WORKS: Foam rolling helps temporarily release overactive muscles that can cause movement issues. The vibration speeds up the process and produces a deeper relaxation.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: Foam rolling can be boring, but this guy is BY FAR the most fought over piece of equipment when I take it into gyms. So fun to use, plus the gymnasts hearing their robot voices as it vibrates gives em a giggle.
2.) Massage Gun
The Hypervolt Go 2 portable massage gun by HYPERICE is just a little guy! It’s perfect for throwing in your gymnast’s bag for traveling to competitions or before practice. It breaks down easily, so I pack mine for roadtrips!
WHY IT WORKS: This gun uses percussion to release overactive muscles, which is a KEY first step for injury prevention.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: When all their friends have to rely on little lacrosse balls digging into their muscles, this guy will be the envy of the team. Plus, it looks like a little laser gun 🔫
3.) Barefoot Shoes
I will DIE ON THIS HILL: all gymnasts should wear barefoot shoes as their daily drivers. As an injury prevention specialist, the number one movement issue I see BY FAR is underactive arches, insufficient ankle flexion, and a narrow toe spread. VIVOBAREFOOT shoes are the ONLY tennis shoes I’ve worn in the past 5 years.
WHY IT WORKS: The wide toe box helps gymnasts’ toes spread to grip the beam! The minimal support in the arch forces the muscles of the foot to become more active and improve stability, strength, and ankle integrity.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: Who does like new shoes?? But also, these bad boys are comfy, come in lots of styles, and are super durable.
NOTE: I recommend sizing up!!
4.) Barefoot Boots
Right in the same vein as the shoes, but these VIVOBAREFOOT boots are the seasonal version. If I’m being honest, the boots are even cuter than the shoes. And they DO keep your feet warm! They have thermal inserts, and I’ve worn my boots on many cold and snowy hikes without a problem.
WHY IT WORKS: The wide toe box helps gymnasts’ toes spread to grip the beam! The minimal support in the arch forces the muscles of the foot to become more active and improve stability, strength, and ankle integrity.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: They’re cute, they help strengthen their feet, and ummm hello, new shoes?? 💁🏼♀️
5.) Toe Spreaders
Stocking stuffer alert!! These toe spreaders are a super low cost, low effort way to improve your gymnast’s toe spread. Just wear ’em for 20 min a day. They’re easy to walk around with, they’re tiny, take zero effort, but a super effective first step in reducing sprains!
WHY IT WORKS: They spread the toes out to stretch the muscles and teach your gymnast how to use their toes for balance.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: They’re easy to wear, kind of silly, and a good excuse to paint their toes.
6.) Injury Risk Assessment
How frustrating is it to not know what the heck is even going on with your gymnast’s pain or wobbly routines? An injury risk assessment is a thorough, preventative assessment of how your gymnast is moving. By doing this assessment, you get a more in-depth look at what injuries your gymnast is at risk for, how it’s affecting their gymnastics, and how to prevent them!
WHY IT WORKS: I have assessed over 1000 gymnasts for movement issues. I am a corrective exercise specialist + a gymnastics coach of over 15 years. This unique combination of knowledge helps create a bigger picture to understand the unique issues a gymnast may experience
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: FINALLY they’ll get the answers they’ve been looking for, stop thinking about pain during practice, and prevent avoidable injuries, surgeries, and chronic pain.
7.) Parallette Bars
These mini parallette bars by ATG are a safe, fun, and space-saving way for gymnasts to practice their core and upper body strength. Push-ups, L-sits, dips… the options are endless!
WHY IT WORKS: The portable bars are easy to store and they help inspire gymnasts to work on their core strength. It’s also a little easier on the wrists by changing the wrist position––if that’s something your gymnast struggles with!
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: Challenge their siblings to L-sit competitions, practice their balance, and have their own little piece of gym equipment at home!
8.) Safe Weights
There’s no bad time to get your child into lifting weights as a gymnast. But I get it, I’m also still terrified of the littles dropping their dumbbells on their toes. These ATG Safeweights take the hard edges out of lifting.
WHY IT WORKS: Softer weights with easy-grip handles makes weight lifting more accessible for newer weight lifters.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: Strength breeds confidence! Resistance training is key for any gymnast who wants to build skills and prevent injury long-term.
9.) Compression Recovery Sleeves
One of the most well-known recovery tools in all of sports––Normatec 3 Legs. If your gymnast wants to really go far in this sport, these recovery sleeves are one of the greatest tools you can use.
WHY IT WORKS: These sleeves use air compression to help muscles recover faster and reduce soreness. Gymnasts have so little downtime, so these ensure they are optimally recovered and ready to go for EVERY practice!
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: One, it feels cool and helps them practice to their hearts content! But two––every elite athlete uses Normatec. (Yes, especially Simone Biles!)
10.) Massage Ball
The Hypersphere Go by HYPERICE is the robot cousin of your little lacrosse ball roller. With options for heat, massage, and the most portable little guy you can get your hands on, it’s really just the best recovery buddy a gymnast can ask for.
WHY IT WORKS: This little guy uses vibration and heat to release tight muscles.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: It’s so cute!! But for real, this is the ultimate gift for a gymnast who is on the move.
11.) Workout Membership
If your gymnast is motivated, hardworking, and wants to improve her form outside of the gym, a Splits & Lifts Membership is for her. Get access to all of the injury-prevention, skill-building, and form-correcting home workouts you can want, plus a library of experts to ask questions to
WHY IT WORKS: Gymnasts log in, follow along with videos of other gymnasts, and link the workout goals to their skills!
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: They get to see their progress in REAL TIME with progress tracking, how-to videos, and even the occasional challenge for their friends.
12.) Backward Treadmill
The Backward Treadmill by ATG can help prevent knee pain and injuries related to insufficient mobility. If there’s ever a warm-up that gymnast should do, it’s this one. Just a few minutes of walking backwards a day can be life changing!
WHY IT WORKS: The backward motion and manual resistance teaches the gymnast that it’s okay to let those knees travel over their toes. This is optimal for safe landing positions, especially on short landings.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: A warm-up that’s a little more challenging than being on a bike for 20 min? 🥱 Plus, you know your gymnast. Anything backwards is kind of our jam.
13.) Mini Slant Board
The Mini Slant Board by ATG is a space-saving way for gymnasts with knee and ankle limitations to modify their workouts without pain.
WHY IT WORKS: By elevating the heels on the board, the gymnast is able to practice lower squats, deeper hip positions, and get her body used to moving at a greater degree of mobility.
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: These boards make something just CLICK in ankle-issue gymnasts. Finally they can squat as deep as they want, reduce their pain, and plus… it’s just kinda fun to stand on.
14.) Nordic Bench
The Family Nordic Bench by ATG is a great way to train hamstrings without having to rely on a partner! Plus, it’s weight-rated for the whole fam, so join on in!
WHY IT WORKS: Training the hamstrings to be comfortable in a greater range of motion helps protect your gymnast’s knees, makes their tucks tighter and faster, and produces more powerful skills!
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: It’s fun and challenging to figure out how far down they can go! Another family contest, anyone?
15.) Private Training
The best way to prevent injuries in gymnastics is to work with a specialist. Having someone preemptively look for movement and performance issues, teach your gymnast how to move correctly, and connect her with the right experts is the MOST valuable thing you can do for your gymnast’s body.
WHY IT WORKS: I have worked with over 1000 gymnasts to help them correct their movement issues, feel more confident, and prevent injuries. With encouragement, feedback, and accountability coaching, your gymnast can reach her full potential without the worry of injuries!
WHY THEY’LL LOVE IT: Working with someone who GETS their sport is the best! To be known is to be loved, and I love all my clients like my own kids. If you want your gymnast to have the utmost care and the most knowledgeable team of experts on their side, I’m your gal.
