Can You Wear Underwear With a Gymnastics Leotard?

While many gymnasts wear undergarments during practice, most gymnasts prefer not to wear traditional undergarments beneath their leotards during competition.

Undergarments tend to move around and become exposed during routines which can distract the gymnast and lead to point deductions from the judges.

Trying to conceal an undergarment during competition can be quite challenging, so most gymnast choose to go without.

Gymnasts uncomfortable with the idea of not wearing undergarments often wear flesh-toned thongs, high-cut panties or Y-back underpants.

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What Are Gymnastics Leotards Made Of?

Maryland Terrapins Girls’ Gymnastics Leotard

Gymnastics leotards are primarily made from a blend of spandex, nylon and cotton-based fabrics.

Nylon Spandex

Spandex or Lycra (a brand name of Spandex) gives  fabric its stretch and recovery properties. 

Nylon Spandex is also commonly used in swimsuits.

Nylon spandex blend is generally very stretchy with a typical spandex content of 20%. Smooth and sleek, this fabric is available in non-shiny matte or shiny mystique.

Nylon spandex fabric tends to be popular with printed designs, and is very colorfast and durable.

Leotards made of nylon spandex are relatively inexpensive.

Cotton Spandex

Also known as Cotton Lycra, this fabric is prized for its natural breathability and softness.

Cotton Lycra fibers tend to shrink after washing, so purchasing one size larger than your regular size is always a good idea with this fabric.

Cotton Lycra fabric is ideal for leos with printed designs or sublimated leotards.

Stretch Velvet

Stretch Velvet is a very popular fabric for leotards, and is generally made from a blend of 90% polyester and 10% spandex.

While stretch velvet is not usually as stretchy as some other fabrics, many gymnasts feel the soft plush feel of the material more than compensates for the loss of stretch.

Velvet is also used in conjunction with other fabrics as the solid color bottom of split style leotards.

Velvet is available in both crushed and flat varieties.

Flat velvet has a more uniform look and feel, whereas crushed velvet has a more patterned look to it.

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What Are Cotton Spandex Gymnastics Leotards Made Of?

Also known as Cotton Lycra, this fabric is prized for its natural breathability and softness.

Cotton Lycra fibers tend to shrink after washing, so purchasing one size larger than your regular size is always a good idea with this fabric.

Cotton Lycra fabric is ideal for leos with printed designs or sublimated leotards.

What is a Nylon Spandex Leotard Made Of?

Spandex or Lycra (a brand name of Spandex) gives  fabric its stretch and recovery properties. 

Nylon Spandex is also commonly used in swimsuits.

Nylon spandex blend is generally very stretchy with a typical spandex content of 20%. Smooth and sleek, this fabric is available in non-shiny matte or shiny mystique.

Nylon spandex fabric tends to be popular with printed designs, and is very colorfast and durable.

Leotards made of nylon spandex are relatively inexpensive.

How to Keep Your Leotard in Place

The last thing a gymnast needs is a leotard that rides up” on her during practice or competition.”

Here are some tips to help keep your gymnastics leotard in place:

Choose the Right Leotard

A proper fitting leotard is the key to avoiding leotard “ride up”.

When buying a leotard online, always check the manufacturer’s size chart before buying.

Not all brands fit the same, so make sure to check the size chart specific to the brand you are purchasing.

Use Body Adhesive

Many gymnasts use a body adhesive to keep their leotards from riding up.

Make sure the body adhesive is skin-safe to avoid skin irritation or damage to your leotard.

Most body adhesives come with roll on applicators for easy application.

Nastia Liukin, the all-around gold medalist at the 2008 Olympics, told People.com that some gymnasts use an adhesive spray such as Tuf-Skin to hold the leotard in place.

What New Gymnasts Should Wear to Gymnastics Class.

Tank Leotard or Competition Leotard?

Most gyms require gymnasts to wear a gymnastics leotard to class.

The two most commonly worn girls’ gymnastics leotards are the tank leotard and the competition leotard.

Tank Leotard

The tank leotard or workout leotard is typically a short-sleeved, looser-fitting gymnastics leotard that is primarily designed for the gymnasts’ comfort rather than appearance.

Tank leotards are comfortable and roomy enough to allow the gymnasts a full range of motion while giving them the freedom to bend, twist and contort their way through a long, physically demanding workout.

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Competition Leotard

A competition leotard is typically a long-sleeved or 3/4 sleeved leotard with a more snug, contoured fit than the tank leotard.

This sleeker fit allows the judges to better evaluate the precision of the gymnasts movements during competition.

Competition leotards also tend to more be colorful and glitzy than workout leotards, featuring shiny mystique material, bright eye-popping designs and lots of rhinestones.

Choosing the Perfect Leotard For Gymnastics or Dance

Choosing the perfect leotard for gymnastics or dance involves a delicate balance between function and fashion. The perfect leotard should be snug  but not too tight. A beautiful leotard that restricts the dancer or gymnast’s movements is of little value during practice or competition.

When choosing the perfect leotard, fabric is very important.  4-way stretch lycra (often called Spandex) is generally recommended as the best fabric for leotards. Lycra gives the leotard  it’s stretch and recovery properties. Practice leotards can have a looser fit, while competition leotards are typically tighter fitting.

To keep your leotard looking great, machine wash separately and tumble dry low. Always use a gentle detergent like Ivory Snow liquid.  Harsher detergents like Woolite may damage the fabric.

In the end, the perfect leotard is one that gives the gymnast or dancer the confidence they need to deliver a great performance every time.

How Should a Girls’ Gymnastics or Dance Leotard Fit?

When fitting a gymnastics or dance leotard, it’s always a good idea to buy one with a close fit, yet with enough room to grow.

The leotard should not fit so tight as to ride up above the hips or ride down to show excessive chest or cleavage.

Leotards that are too loose around the hips or have loose straps are probably too big.

Generally speaking, a gymnastics or dance leotard should fit snuggly without creasing, wrinkling, or sagging visible when fitted correctly.

A snug fit allows freedom of movement, and doesn’t hinder the gymnasts’ mobility or performance.