The summer Olympic games showcase the greatest athletes in the world. Some sports do not capture the public fancy–not a big turn-out for the shot putters, certainly not compared to the celebrity status of gymnasts. The power and grace of these athletes, as they do seemingly impossible leaps and flips, thrills onlookers. Young girls in particular identify with the young female gymnasts who are the real stars. Most gymnasts are very young-usually teens to early 20’s. Little girls are dazzled when they see amazing performers like Shawn Johnson of the United States in her hot pink leotard, or Beth Tweddle from the United Kingdom and Kristina Vaculik of Canada in their deep blue leotard uniform. They want to become gymnasts too and wear some of those beautiful bright colors and fly through the air, defying gravity.

The flash and color of gymnastics leotards grew from the basic black leotard to a delightful array of designs and colors. Most Olympians wear high cut and long sleeve leotards. The high cut frees their legs from any hindrance in movement, while the long sleeves keeps their upper body muscles warm and limber. The material in their outfits is a mixture of stretchy fabric such as lycra or nylon mixed with cotton. Manufacturers have developed micro-fibers that will stretch and wick away perspiration, and dry quickly, keeping the athlete cool during the heat of competition.

If you are purchasing Olympic style leotards for yourself or a son or daughter, you need to ensure the style will be comfortable and not make the child uncomfortable. The leotards can be sleeveless for non Olympians to be cooler and more comfortable. If needed, many come with built in support from the shoulder straps. The support is built in and not obtrusive. You might be more comfortable with low cut rather than the revealing high cut. There are leotard outfits that use netting material for the shoulders to give a strapless look, and others that are open in the back or have straps crossing the back.

You can special order leotards online and personalize them with different types of rhinestones or beads. Take a basic white leotard and put beautiful patterns of sequins, beads or rhinestones, or colorful red white and blue stars like American gymnasts wore. A green leotard is the perfect color to add brilliant gold and white lightning bolt patterns, or choose an iridescent purple leotard with lavender flowers cascading down one side. Online options allow you to combine background colors with different patterns and decorations, in a choice of material. You or your child can dress in outfits identical to those of their Olympic idols.

Male gymnastic outfits are usually more sedate than the female uniforms. Most male athletes perform in tight fitting sleeveless tops that have fabric designed to wick away their perspiration. They wear shorts or gymnast pants rather than tights when performing. Their costumes are more practical and designed to stay out of their way and not interfere with their spectacular physical feats on the parallel bars, pommel horse or ring tower.

Safety and comfort are secondary to the looks, so make sure the material is light weight, stretchy but fitting well enough the wearer will feel confident and comfortable. If necessary, ensure the outfit includes adequate support.

Gymnastics Leotards