Does this scenario sound familiar? You are running a little late to gymnastics. Your gymnast is scrambling for a water bottle, a snack, and of course… hair ties! Trying to get everyone out the door, into the car, and rushing to class on time. Finally, you arrive and a sense of dread overwhelms you because you are sure there are items missing from your child’s gym bag!
If you have a gymnast in your life, this is likely a frequent occurrence. Don’t you worry; we’ve got you covered! Our Viking coaches have shared the top 10 necessities for every gymnast’s bag:
- A Water Bottle
Your gymnast is hard at work in class and it’s important for them to stay hydrated, but you do not want them to miss out on learning every time they run to the water fountain. Instead, get them their own water bottle that they can notice easily. Make sure the top is tightly secured and the bottle has their name on it. - Snacks
Having a snack in their gym bag is crucial for restoring energy. The key to a healthy after workout snack is something that is easily digestible and packed with protein! Protein is an essential building block of the body. When your body is hard at work, replenishing with protein will repair cells and help build new ones. Some ideas for protein packed snacks are turkey slices, cheese sticks, veggie slices with hummus, and Greek yogurt. Learn more on our previous blog post about Nutrition in Gymnastics. - Hand Wipes
Let’s be honest. Your gymnast will be touching so many surfaces: beams, floors, bars, etc… To keep the germs at bay, toss a package of hand wipes in their gym bag! - Lip Balm/Lotion
No matter what season it is, gyms are dry; lip balm and lotion can help! Just be sure that your gymnast applies lotion after practice. No one wants to be slip sliding away while doing gymnastics! - Hair Elastics/Hair Brush
If your gymnast has long hair, it’s crucial to make sure their hair is tied back and away from their face. This prevents accidents and helps your child to see better when trying to perfect their skills! They may not always use the brush but it’s there for when they need it! - Grips
This isn’t applicable for all gymnasts but if their coach says it’s required, don’t forget their grips! It’s also good to have a backup pair that they’re working to break in by taking a few turns with every now and again. That way, when the current pair gets too old your gymnast has another one ready to go. *Don’t forget, Viking coaches can measure and order grips* - Wristbands
If you’re going to pack grips, DO NOT forget wristbands! Wearing grips without wrist bands may lead to chafed wrists during practice. - Pre-Wrap/Athletic Tape
It doesn’t hurt to carry an extra roll especially if they regularly tape their ankles, wrist, or anything else! Remember to apply the pre-wrap first before the athletic tape. If any injury is persistent, make sure to see a medical professional. - A Pouch for Valuable Items
Sometimes your gymnast will forget to take off dangling earrings or necklaces before practice. Pack a small pouch to keep valuables from getting lost. If they have a cell phone, make sure they have a safe/secret spot in their bag that they can easily access after practice. As an extra step of precaution, students can leave their cell phone at the front desk and it can be picked up after class. - Deodorant
No explanation needed, but their teammates and coaches may appreciate this especially during a hot and sweaty practice!
You’ve got the gymnastics bag ready, but you’re looking for classes? We offer gymnastics classes starting at the age of 6 months old! We maintain a small student-teacher ratio to give the highest quality individualized instruction to every student.
Sign up for classes today!
Register online and call us at 847-965-2700
