It can be hard to know exactly what kind of leotard to buy your gymnast. There are so many different materials, brands, some expensive leotards along with some cheaper ones. Leotards are what most girls wear to gymnastics class.
I know when I first started doing gymnastics, the weren’t many options for where you could buy your gymnastics leotard. You either bought your leotard at the gym in their pro shop, or you bought a basic leotard from a big box store. Now, there are many more options for where you can buy your leotards online.
We’ve put together a guide to buying gymnastics leotards. We will cover:
- leotard fabric choices
- leotard styles
- some of our favorite leotards in different colors & themes
- gymnastics leotard brands
- how to wash your leotards
Popular Leotard Fabrics
GymnasticsHQ’s DIY Decal Leotard/Destira’s Holographic Leotard/Obersee Biketard Black Velvet Leotard
There are several different types of fabrics that leotards are made from, and it’s an important factor when you are deciding what to buy. Below are some pros and cons of each fabric.
Spandex: Spandex or Lycra leotards (Lycra is a brand name for spandex) are a very popular fabric for gymnastics leotards. Spandex leotards are very stretchy so they fit tight to a gymnast’s skin and move when she moves. Spandex leotards are lightweight and breathable.
Hologram/Metallic: Hologram or metallic fabric is a shiny, lightweight, sparkly fabric. Great for wearing in the summer because of their breathable nature. Some hologram fabric doesn’t have as much give to it as spandex or velvet fabrics, so they could be less comfortable. Hologram, metallic or foil fabrics are more likely to fade and dull with wear and washing.
Velvet or Velour: Velvet is a heavier and thicker fabric than both hologram and spandex fabrics. Velvet leotards are very soft! They also don’t stick to your skin quite as tight, so they don’t show every indentation or move in your body.
Popular Leotard Styles
GymnasticsHQ’s Colored Stripes Leotard/ Daxiang Long Sleeve Leotard/ Destira Be-You-Tiful Unitard
Tank: Tank or sleeveless leotards are the most common style that gymnasts wear to the gym for classes or for team practice. They are cool and allow free range-of motion for every day practice.
Long Sleeve Leotards: Long sleeve leotards or 3/4 sleeve leotards are most commonly used by gymnasts when they compete. The long sleeves give a sleeker look which is important when gymnasts are being judged.
Unitards: Some young gymnasts prefer one-piece unitards for their more complete coverage without having to wear shorts over their leotard.
Rainbow Leotards
Rainbow seems to be all-the-rage lately, so we’ve rounded up some rainbow print leotards!
GK Stars Leotard: This rainbow stars leotard is super cute and is a nice option.
Snowflake Designs Whimsy Leotard: This leotard has a diagonal rainbow bright print and is beautiful!
Foxy’s Unicorn World Leotard: This super cute unicorn leotard has an open back and who doesn’t love unicorns?!
Sparkly Leotards
Pink Diamonds Leotard: This sparkly designed leotard is beautifully designed on this leotard!
GymnasticsHQ’s Rhinestone USA Leotard: Show your pride for America with our red, white and blue leotard that says “USA” in rhinestones on the front.
Pink Rays Leotard: This beautiful, buttery soft leotard will soon be your gymnasts favorite. It has an elegant rhinestone belt that gives it just enough bling.
USA Leotards
GymnasticsHQ’s DIY USA Tie Dye Leotard Kit: With our USA Red, White & Blue Tie Dye Leotard Kit you will be able to create your very own design and show it off at your next practice.
GymnasticsHQ’s Rhinestone USA Leotard: Show your pride for America with our red, white and blue leotard that says “USA” in rhinestones on the front.
GK Stars & Stripes Patriotic Leotard: This cute stars and stripes leotard will inspire you to train hard and GO FOR IT!!!
The Best Gymnastics Leotard Brands:
GymnasticsHQ’s Leotards: We make great, quality and reasonably-priced leotards. We even have our own exclusive DIY Tie Dye Leotard Kit that gymnasts love!
Foxy’s Leotards: Foxy’s makes quality gymnastics leotards that are reasonably-priced. They have a bunch of whimsical print leotards that are mostly made of spandex. They also carry some ultra soft leotards made from velvet.
Snowflake Designs: Snowflake design leotards are moderately priced. They make some print leotards, and also some sparkly holographic leos.
GK Leotards: GK makes high-quality leotards that are on the more expensive side. They make a leotards with lots of sparkle including rhinestones and holographic prints.
How to Wash Leotards
Most leotards can be turned inside out and washed in cold water. Most leotards can also be tumble dried on low. Do not iron because this can cause some fabrics to melt. Fabric softeners can cause foil or fabrics to discolor and sometimes can cause rhinestones or other embellishments to fall off.
Do:
- wash in cold water
- wash inside out
Don’t
- use fabric softener
- iron
Here are some more tips on the best way to care for your gymnastics leotards.
Where to Buy Gymnastics Leotards:
- GymnasticsHQ Shop: We carry our original leotards and stock some leos in our own shop. Check them out!
- Amazon: Amazon is our favorite place to shop for gymnastics leotards online because it’s the cheapest. Leotards are less expensive here than at other online stores, and often you can find something you like on Amazon. You do have to spend some time looking around. They carry some of our favorite brands including GK & Snowflake Designs.
- Deary’s Gym Supply: Deary’s Gym Supply doesn’t have a large selection, but they have high-quality GK Elite brand leotards at less expensive prices. Shipping starts at $5. Deary’s Gym Supply is a specialty gymnastics store.
- Foxy’s Leotards: Foxy’s has some super cute, very trendy leotards at good prices!
- Wal-Mart: Great prices on gymnastics leotards that are great for beginner gymnasts.
If you check out all those stores listed above, I’m sure you will find a leotard you love!
Sheila September 8, 2013, 8:31 am
Put her in gymnastics.
Jen December 10, 2013, 1:16 am
I found a great selection at dgathleticstore.com.
Jen 🙂
LaDonna September 12, 2014, 10:28 pm
Snowflake Designs sells cool leotards at affordable prices. Check out the workout wear section, or Sales section for great bargains. Several times a year they sell their “grab bag leotards” really cheap.
Gabs November 16, 2019, 5:26 pm
Another cite is plumpracticewear, there leos are not only beautiful but affordable so are kbees
Eleanor December 24, 2019, 12:52 pm
I found at great site for discount leotards, GK included. OutletValues.com
Anna August 5, 2020, 10:30 am
This is a great website for high quality gymnastics leotards, their customer service and delivery is amazing too!
PRE TEAM OH YA June 24, 2021, 3:15 pm
This has nothing to do with leo’s But can I do both
Gymnastics and karate without having to quit karate
Ashley July 2, 2021, 7:55 pm
You can definitely can, although if you start to train more and are on a team it may be difficult to find the time for both.
Gymnast July 2, 2021, 8:07 pm
As a level 9 gymnast, I train a lot and have tried lots of different leotard brands. These are my suggestions to any gymnast or family member of a gymnast looking for leotards:
-For gymnasts who love bling and sparkly leos I recommend Chalk Warrior! Positives: Beautiful designs and comfy fabric. Negatives: Pretty expensive and they are double lined, which makes them comfortable but hot for summer workouts.
-GK is also great! They have partnered with great gymnasts such as Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, and Katelyn Ohashi to make their collections, and the quality is great so they last a while. Some cons are that they are sometimes uncomfortable and can be expensive.
-Sylvia P is another favorite! They are known for having super cool backs, and while they can be expensive, they are also very comfortable for long practices!
-Plum Practicewear is my go-to for inexpensive leos, with prices as low as $16, and they also have comfortable fabric.
-My #1 favorite is Salute leos because they have incredibly comfortable fabric for a good price and you can not only choose the print you want, but also the style including different thicknesses and colors for the straps, and you can choose between different back styles!
Julia Jackson August 12, 2021, 5:05 am
Thanks for providing such an excellent article; I have benefited from it and hope that you will continue to do so. I’d like to add one more thing: if anyone is seeking for Gymnastics Leotard Manufacturers, they can purchase them from Goodworth Sports.
Alice July 29, 2022, 11:30 pm
Such an excellent article, it is simply perfect, I hope you will continue to do so. I also found a really good up and coming gymnastics brand that I can buy from TENVDA GYMNASTICS LEOTARDS.
Li Alice July 29, 2022, 11:32 pm
Yeah! Love your sharing so much https://tenvda.com/
Denice July 29, 2022, 11:45 pm
For comfortable, cute, USA made leotards, http://Www.snowflakedesigns.com can’t be beat. 37 years in business, family owned and operated by gymnasts.
You have pending messages (4) from Kristal! Reply Now: https://letsg0dancing.page.link/go?hs=14d8429fde15705c6e270f4c0d5a58fe& August 16, 2022, 11:18 am
egnjed
R July 6, 2023, 7:32 pm
I use none of these websites
Hello World! https://national-team.top/go/hezwgobsmq5dinbw?hs=14d8429fde15705c6e270f4c0d5a58fe July 10, 2023, 12:56 am
ktty1m
You have received 1 message(-s) № 562. Open > https://forms.yandex.com/cloud/65a8ee1c43f74f2c3575face/?hs=14d8429fde15705c6e270f4c0d5a58fe& January 19, 2024, 6:22 pm
9dch6a
Get free iPhone 15: https://www.start-smiling.co.uk/uploads/go.php hs=14d8429fde15705c6e270f4c0d5a58fe* January 23, 2024, 1:02 am
nxpqan
You mined 22 032 $. GЕТ >> https://forms.yandex.com/cloud/65c5cc632530c245f0b4aa23/?hs=14d8429fde15705c6e270f4c0d5a58fe& February 14, 2024, 11:46 pm
2rysdj