What you actually need
Leotards are the main purchase. Start with three to four ($20-30 each) so there’s always a clean one. Cotton leotards work fine for practice. Competition leotards are a separate, pricier purchase ($50-100 each) and come later through the team.
Grips are specialized gear for bars work, and only needed once your gymnast reaches level 4 or higher. Leather palm grips ($15-30) protect hands during giant swings and high-bar work. Before level 4, they’re unnecessary.
Athletic tape ($5-10) gets used constantly for wrists, ankles, and fingers. A small foam roller ($15-25) helps with stretching and recovery at home. A tape measure ($3-5) is useful for tracking proportions as your child grows.
The gym provides the bars, beams, floor, vault, and all other apparatus. Your job is showing up and paying tuition.
Sizing notes
Need to know what size? See our Gymnastics sizing guide.
Used gear notes
Used leotards are fine. Check for loose seams or pilling. Grips should be new—palm wear affects grip and safety. Tape and foam rollers don’t really “wear out,” so used ones are fine.
What you can skip
Skip expensive hair clips and accessories. A simple ponytail holder works. Skip nail polish—nails should be short and bare for safety. Skip matching gym bags. Any bag works. Skip branded gymnastics socks unless your gym requires them.