Hey there, Gymnastics Accessories
If you’ve ever spent 10 minutes staring at a pile of gymnastics accessories—maybe a pair of hand grips, a leather belt, or even a pair of grip socks—wondering if the small will stretch, if the medium will slide, or if you’ll just end up wasting money on something that doesn’t work, you’re not alone. As someone who’s been in the gymnastics accessories game for over a decade (I started out helping my little sister’s gym test products after her hand grip tore mid-competition in 2012), I’ve seen more athletes make the same frustrating size mistakes than I can count. Choosing the right size isn’t just about fitting—it’s about performance, safety, and confidence. Cut the slack here, and you might be adjusting your grip mid-vault, slipping off the balance beam, or even ending up with a blister that knocks you out of practice for days.
Let’s break this down by the most popular gymnastics accessories we supply, because one-size-fits-all? It’s not a thing here, and never has been. Every piece is made to serve a specific purpose, so their sizing rules aren’t one-and-done—you’ve got to tailor them to how you use them.
First up: hand grips. This is the big one. Bad grip size is the #1 cause of broken grips, slipped hands off high bar, and painful rope burn or blisters. When we first launched our grip line back in 2015, we thought sizing would be straightforward—measure the palm, pick the number—but we tested 120 different junior and senior athletes that first year and realized that theory didn’t match reality. A 14-year-old level 8 with a narrow wrist needs a different grip than a 16-year-old level 10 with a wide hand and long fingers. Our rule for grip sizing? Forget the generic size charts you’ll find on random websites. Use two measurements: the distance from the base of your palm (where your wrist creases) to the tip of your middle finger, and the circumference of your wrist, 1 inch below that palm crease. For example, if your palm-to-middle-finger length is 6.5 inches and your wrist circumference is 5.25 inches, you won’t fit a medium grip, and you won’t fit a large either—you need our custom narrow-medium. We’ve seen so many athletes grab a medium because their teammate uses a medium, only to have the grip slide up their palm when they swing. That sliding means the bar rubs raw skin, plain and simple. Another pro tip: break-in time factors in. Our premium leather grips will stretch about half an inch in the first two weeks of practice, so if you’re between sizes, size down—not up. I learned this the hard way in 2017, when we sent a batch of large grips to a gym and 12 athletes came back saying they were too big, even though their measurements said large. Turns out they’d sized up “to have room” and the stretched leather made them slide. We adjusted our chart after that, adding notes about break-in stretch, and it cut grip returns by 40% in a year.
Next: gymnastics belts. These aren’t your everyday jeans belt—they’re for supporting your core during high-impact moves like giants on the high bar or heavy lifts for power tumbling. The wrong size here doesn’t just feel uncomfortable; it can lead to core strain when you’re flipping. For belts, the measurement is the circumference of your waist at the narrowest point—usually just above your hips, not where your pants sit. If you’re between 2 sizes, go with the smaller one for leather belts, since they’ll mold to your waist over time. For our synthetic training belts, which are lighter for practice, you can size up slightly because they have a bit more give. I worked with a senior national team coach in 2020 who told me her gymnasts were coming to practice with belts that were too loose, complaining of back fatigue. We had them remeasure and switch to smaller sizes, and within a month, 80% of the team reported less core tension. The key with belts is that it shouldn’t slide when you twist or bend, but it shouldn’t dig into your skin either. A lot of gymnasts wear tight shorts or leotards, so if you’re ordering for practice, make sure you measure over the same layers you usually wear.
Then there’s grip socks and dance shorts for floor and beam work. These might seem trivial, but ill-fitting socks can cause blisters during long practices, and too-tight shorts can restrict your splits or tuck. For grip socks, measure the length of your foot from heel to toe, but also consider the thickness of your gymnastics shoes if you wear them with the socks (we recommend socks for bare floor work). If your foot is exactly 8 inches long, the small sock might be too tight around the instep, and the medium might bunch at the toe. We added half-sizes for our grip sock line in 2021 after feedback from level 4 gymnasts who had narrow feet—before that, they were choosing between squeezing into a size that cut circulation or tripping over bunched toes on beam. For shorts, the same waist and hip measurements apply, but consider your range of motion. If you’re working on advanced back handsprings or split leaps, you don’t want shorts that pull at the seams when you stretch. Our fabric is 4-way stretch, so it will give a little, but if you’re between sizes, size small for a snug fit that stays in place, or medium if you prefer more room for post-practice stretching.
Wait, I know what some of you are thinking: what about kids? Gymnastics is a sport for all ages, and kids grow fast, so sizing for junior and youth accessories is tricky. Let’s talk about that. For young gymnasts (level 1 to level 5, usually ages 6 to 12), we recommend measuring every 2 to 3 months because hands and feet grow so quickly. That said, don’t size up “to last them a year”—a grip that’s too big for a 7-year-old will slide, and they’ll develop bad habits of grabbing the bar wrong. We have a junior size chart specifically for ages 6 to 9, and a pre-teen chart for ages 10 to 14, which takes into account that pre-teens might have uneven growth spurts—longer fingers but a smaller wrist, for example. Last year, a parent emailed us saying their 8-year-old had outgrown her grips in 3 months, and asked if we could adjust sizing to fit longer growth. Our customer service team explained that while we don’t do adjustable grips, we do offer a small discount on replacement junior grips if you provide proof of age and practice frequency, which has helped a lot of families avoid the “buy big and grow into it” mistake that leads to poor form.
Another thing to keep in mind: the type of practice matters. If you’re buying accessories for competition vs. practice, sizing can shift a little. Competition grips need to be a snugger fit so they don’t move during a high-stakes routine—you don’t want to readjust mid-Optional bar routine. Practice grips can have a little more room, since they’re for breaking in and getting used to new moves. For belts, competition belts are usually a more rigid leather, so they need to fit exactly right, while practice belts are softer and can have an extra inch of space. I always tell gymnasts to order two sizes if they’re unsure—many of our gym clients order a small and medium for each accessory, test them in practice, and return the one that doesn’t work. We offer free returns on all accessories within 30 days, no questions asked, because we’d rather help you find the right fit than have you settle for something that doesn’t work.
Let me also share a few common mistakes we see all the time. First, assuming that your clothing size translates to gymnastics accessory size. A size small in leotards doesn’t mean a size small in grips—they’re totally different products with different design needs. Second, ignoring the break-in period. Leather goods, especially, need time to mold to your body. If your new grip feels tight on day one, that’s normal; if it feels tight after two weeks of practice, then you sized wrong. Third, not taking measurements correctly. A lot of people measure their wrist at the bone, but we measure 1 inch below the palm crease, where the grip actually sits. That tiny difference makes a huge one in comfort.
At the end of the day, choosing the right size is about supporting your sport and your body. Gymnastics is tough enough—you don’t need to add blisters, slips, or discomfort to the list. All of our accessories are tested by gymnasts of all levels, from recreational to elite, so we know the sizing works when you follow our guidelines. If you’re a gym owner, coach, or individual gymnast looking to stock up or order custom sizes, don’t guess. Reach out to our team—we’ll walk you through measurements, answer any questions you have, and make sure you get exactly what fits. We’ve been partnering with gyms across the country for years, and we know that when athletes have the right gear, they can focus on what matters: nailing that floor routine, sticking the landing, and feeling confident every time they step on the mat.
Don’t let a bad size hold you back. Reach out to our team to discuss your specific needs, whether you’re ordering for a team, a few gymnasts, or just yourself. We’re here to help you get the right fit, every time.
Cheerleading Uniforms References:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Sports injury prevention in pediatric gymnastics. Pediatrics, 144(3), e20192105.
- International Gymnastics Federation. (2021. Equipment standards for women’s artistic gymnastics accessories. FIG Technical Regulations.
- Gymnastics Equipment Manufacturers Association. (2020). Best practices for sizing gymnastics grips and support gear. GEMA Industry Guidelines.
AcEiffel Art Culture Co., Ltd.
AcEiffel Art Culture Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional gymnastics accessories manufacturers and suppliers in China, supplying the best customized service. Feel free to wholesale bulk gymnastics accessories at competitive price from our factory.
Address: 9#, Renxian Street, High-tech Zone, Dalian, China
E-mail: info@aceiffel.com
WebSite: https://www.aceiffel.com/
