Level 1 Gymnastics Requirements (2025) + Free Checklist

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Level 1 gymnastics requirements


Level 1 gymnastics requirements

Level 1 gymnastics is the perfect starting point for young athletes beginning their journey through the
gymnastics levels. At this foundational compulsory level in the USAG program, gymnasts are introduced to basic skills that help them develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and confidence.


level 1 requirements updated thumbnail


✅ This checklist and skills list has been checked and updated for the 2025 season.

Level 1 Vault Requirements

  • Stretch jump onto mat and then kick to handstand, fall to flat back

Level 1 Bars Requirements

  • Pullover
  • Cast
  • Back hip circle
  • Sole-circle dismount OR underswing dismount

Starting in Level 4, many gymnasts start wearing grips to protect their hands on bars. Check out our guide to
the best gymnastics grips.

Level 1 Beam Requirements

  • Jump to front support mount
  • Arabesque to 30 degrees
  • Needle kick
  • Relevé lock stand
  • Stretch jump
  • Cartwheel to 3/4 handstand dismount

Level 1 Floor Requirements

⭐ Our Top Equipment Picks for Level 1 Gymnasts

If you’re setting up safe at-home practice for Level 1, start here:

#1 Must-Have: Panel Mat


Best panel mat for home gymnastics

✅ Check Price on Amazon

Perfect for handstands, cartwheels, bridges, and safe landings.

#2 Confidence Builder: Floor Beam

best floor beam for home practice

✅ Check Price on Amazon

Great for straight jumps, needle kicks, balances, and building beam confidence.

What to Practice at Home for Level 1

Skill: Forward Roll
Drills: Down an incline mat, tuck rocks
Why: Builds body awareness and rolling confidence.
Skill: Cartwheel
Drills: Cartwheels on a line, cartwheel over a panel mat
Why: Introduces tumbling direction + side preference.
Skill: Handstand
Drills: Spider-man holds, wall walks
Why: Builds strength and body alignment.
Skill: Bridges
Drills: Bridge rocks, push-ups into bridge
Why: Improves flexibility for future kickovers.

✨ Want structured at-home drills? Join SkillTrakker for daily practice plans designed to upgrade your Level 1 skills.

 

Check out a suggested gymnastics outfit for Level 1 gymnasts below.

Gymnastics Gear for Level 1 Gymnasts Sizes Description Price
Colored Stripes Leotards
colored stripes leotard
CS – AS So buttery soft and comfortable, this leotard is a must have in your gymnasts ever-growing collection! Available in coral, ocean and plum! $39.95

Check Current Price Here

Destira Black Gymnastics Compression Sport Shorts
gymnastics shorts
Child XXS (3x) – Adult XL Some gymnasts prefer to wear shorts over their leotard, either for modesty, comfort, or for whatever reason. These are a great option! $28.00

Check Current Price Here

Beige Velvet Cotton Mid-Rise Waist Gymnastics Underwear

gymnastics underwear

Kids 3-5 – Adult Large Great for your gymnast if she feels more comfortable wearing underwear under her leotard. Nude, high cut and seamless. $24.99

Check Current Price Here

Frequently Asked Questions about Level 1 Gymnastics

Q: What age do gymnasts usually start Level 1?
A: Most gymnasts are between 4–6 years old when beginning Level 1.

Q: Is Level 1 a required level of competition?
A: No. Level 1 is optional. Some gyms use it as an in-house or rec track before moving athletes into Level 2 or 3.

Q: What are the hardest Level 1 skills?
A: Many beginners find the pullover on bars and the cartwheel on beam/floor the most challenging.

Q: What should a Level 1 gymnast practice at home?
A: Focus on rolls, cartwheels, bridges, handstands, and balance drills on a floor beam or line.

Q: How do you move up from Level 1 to Level 2?
A: Gymnasts should master all Level 1 skills with good form and confidence before progressing.

Q: Where can we get structured home practice plans?
A: Programs like SkillTrakker provide daily drills and calendars to support steady progress.


Gymnastics Mom Checklist



Download our Level 1 Gymnastics Requirements checklist

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About the Author

Jessica is the founder of GymnasticsHQ, where she’s been sharing training tips and resources since 2011. A former gymnast with 8 years of coaching and 10 years of judging experience, she’s passionate about helping gymnasts reach their goals.

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222 Comments

      • Dear gymnasticsHQ,
        I want to join the pre team at this gym but you have to do a begginer-intermediate class first and be gifted in. Here’s my issue, I can do all level 1 skills all level 2 skills (but the bridge kickover) and all the level 3 skills (but the backhandspring) I’ve been doing classes since I was 3 and now I’m 10 I’ve been very left behind in my gymnastics career all because I can’t do a bride kickover I can’t get my arms straight enogh to kickover. How can I get the gym to let me join the pre team (or at least do a eveoluation) to see that I’m capable of some much more then pullovers and casts, forward rolls and backwards rolls, arabesque’s and handstand dismounts, and handstand flat backs. At my old gym I could do a cartwheel on beam! I’ve been very left behind because of mean coaches
        HELP!!!!!!!!

        • Try watching Anna mcnulty vids on YouTube so you can stretch your back and shoulders then you be able to do that kinda stuff

  1. Hi I’m eleven and I’m about to start gymnastics. I did it when I was 4-7 but I had to quit because of dance. I taught my self some stuff like walkovers, limbers and a front handspring but I don’t know anything about bar vault. I completely forgot everything I learnt when I was little on them and I’m scared I’m gonna be put with the little kids because I’m bad at bar and vault.
    Is there anything I can do to practise bar and vault that I can do at home ??

    • hi Emma I was the same when I started as I am 12 ( my birthday is in 3 days ) as I was 7 and gonna be put with 2 yr olds ( lol) so I asked my coach and she put me in for private 1 to 1 lessons , just ask , don’t be afraid 🙂
      from Aliah , level 6

    • Same I’m 10 and I’ll be starting soon I’ve managed to teach myself most basic things (so cartwheel, handstand, backbend, walkover, splits etc..) but I’ve been struggling with the bar my whole life and I don’t know if I’m going to be put with the 3 year olds..

      • I’m like that to but now I can do stuff like jumping to high bar kips and cast just don’t be afraid at my gymnastics we have some bars above foam pit if your gym has that ask to do it on those bars if your scared it really helps also hope you enjoy gymnastics

    • I’m eleven too and about to start gymnastics, of you have monkey bars you can use those to practice bars and work on dismounts and you can also stack hard surfaces with pillows behind it for vault that’s what I do because I practice at home too. But if you have a front limber and all that I don’t think you’ll get put with little kids

  2. ok I am a competitor in level 6 , as I started late 2012/early 2013 , this page first got me into competing , so this was really helpful , competition season is almost over , only a few more meets to go … and I love this page soooooooooooooo much !!!
    from Aliah , level 6 . I cant wait for level 7!:-):-) 🙂 🙂

  3. Hello I am 11 years old going to join gymnastics in September I was thinking about it then I thought no I can do gymnastics it’s way to hard and now that I see what I can do I really want to join thank you for inspireing me goodbye

  4. I teach myself​ gymnastics and I’m level 2 but I just need a spotter for the bridge kickover and then I’m level 3 I just taught myself a front handspring so please someone tell me how to do a bridge kickover without a spotter can you climb up a wall and kickover does that help

    • Yes walls do work so do large pillows and objects such as couch chair table (definitely not glass or anything breakable)
      You can also use gymnastics mats and your bed hope this helped.
      From Elseeana the gymnast

  5. Is it a little weird that I’m 13 and could never afford gymnastics practice or lessons but i want to be a gymnast and I’m starting at level 1? Cause i would love to be a gymnast. But I’m worried I’ll be made fun of.

    • Hi Kaitlyn! It’s always hard to start a sport late but if it’s something you really love then stick with it. It’s never a bad thing to know how to do cool skills!

      • I, Helen Horne get to move to level two after my first comepition in June!! THANKS TO MY AMAZING TEACHER!!
        Thank you, mountin west.

    • Hi Kaitlyn I’m 12 and started gymnastics doing gymnastics at home when I was 9 I know most stuff like cartwheels, round offs, backbend, bridge, forward roll. And I wanted to go to a class but since I started learning when I was nine my parents thought I was to big and that I needed to start at a small age. But that didn’t stop me from doing what I love, I still need to master my handstands and front walkovers. Just believe in yourself and I know you can do it.

  6. my granddaughter stared level called bronze and there was also a silver level that preceded level 1,2, and 3 and on up. what is the bronze and silver levels and there purpose? She competed on these levels as well

    • What you do is so have u ever seen a gymnast or someone you know do a handstand into a bridge? Well they had to go 4/4 handstand to do that, so a 3/4 handstand is a handstand where your legs go 75 percent the way up!

    • Do you know what an L handstand is if you don’t it’s basically the same thing as a 3/4 also 3/4 is a handstand but your legs aren’t the whole way up and L is where one leg straight up and the other out like L imagine that as a side in view of your legs

  7. Very helpful site I want move to my daughter to national competition level but I need help to find right school in my area can you help in Warner Robins ga 31093 please help me

    • Robins Gymnastics
      106 Napier Ave.
      Warner Robins, GA 31093
      478-329-6020
      (Map)

      Airborne Athletics
      1902 Elberta Rd.
      Houston, GA 31093
      478-293-1520
      (Map)

      Precision South Gymnastics Academy
      1453 Feagin Mill Rd.
      Wamer Robins, GA 31088
      478-333-3930
      4 Miles

      PunchFront Gymnastics and Cheer
      2954 Moody Road
      Bonaire, GA 31005
      478-390-1914
      6 Miles

      The Gym Nest
      120 Macon West Drive
      Macon, GA 31210
      478-474-3021
      18 Miles

  8. I really want to do gymnastics but people say I’m too old(I’m 13) now I’m not sure if I want to do gymnastics cause I feel like I’m going to be old. Any advice??

  9. I love this website. I just made it to level 4. I am a self taught gymnast so its harder to get some skills, but if i could do it anyone can.

      • Use this website to guide you, and watch YouTube videos to help you. If you really want to learn, put all your time and energy into this sport. If you can’t do that (due to school) that’s fine but it is recommended

    • Strengthen your arms, and when you are trying to kickover rock back and forth and when u go in while rocking kick as hard as u can. That’s what I did and I did it!

  10. Hi, I teach gymnastics classes, I have a problem I can’t really do most moves myself is there any classes in Everett, Mill creek, or Bothell? I need help and FAST!

    • Well, as a Coach, You should know how to Teach, be nice and Remember to push your Students to more harder skills. Give them Water Breaks and Don’t give too much Conditioning 2-5 Types of Conditioning are fine. Plus, You can’t be a Gymnastics Coach if you don’t know Gymnastics or how to do a Certain Gymnastics Skill. First, if your teaching a level, EXAMPLE Level 1, You should atleast be a Level 3. For Each level your Teaching, you should be Atleast 2 Levels above the level you’re teaching.

  11. I’m a Self Taught Gymnast. I’m 10 and I started Gymnastics this year. I’m just wondering about my gymnastics in the Future. Is it OK If your a Self Taught Gymnast and I’m in Level 2 and I want lessons for Level 3. Will there be a Test or something? Or will I have to get a Certificate to go to Level 3? Or is it OK To just go to Level 3 from ?? When your a Self Taught Gymnast?

    • Hi Layla, If it’s something you really want to learn then you should join gymnastics. You’re never too old to learn something new!

    • Stretch and do conditioning, also back walkovers are pretty hard (I can’t do one myself yet) but use this website to help you. Put all of your time into this sport, if you don’t love it quit. Also for the split handstand get a spotter, do a handstand and get the spotter to put your legs into a split handstand. If u don’t have a spotter do it on the wall.

    • Hi Maddie, the only thing you can do is keep practicing and focus on stretching and flexibility exercises. It takes time so have patience!

  12. hi i am 11 and i will be starting gymnastics soon and i did gymnastics when i was smaller and now i have gotten back into it and i dont want to be put with the smaller kids because i am so behind and i dont know anything about vault

    • Hi Hailey, we’re sure you’ll learn fast! It’s never easy starting back when you’re older and there are younger kids in your group. We hope it all worked out!

  13. I just turned 14 and I really wanna start gymnastics but I’m nervous since I last did it when I was 3. I’m nervous in gonna be with young kids and embarrass myself. Any tips at all?

  14. i started gymnastics when i was 7 and now i am on level 4. I can do all the other moves on level 4 just not the roundoff backhandspring backhandspring.
    Can ANYONE Tell me how i could get the move at home.

    toodels
    belle

    • Just try your best to learn the back handspring, then a round off, then you can join them together. Just don’t give up.Good luck✌✌

  15. I’m self taught. This is super helpful because I really want the same experience. This was super simple, and I went to a local gym to develop the skills, since I have no equipment. Thx!

    • Hi Hayley, You can put a strip of tape down on the floor and pretend it’s a beam to get the feel of walking on a 4 inch beam! Bars are definitely tricky to do at home unless you have your own bar at home. Good luck!

  16. Thank hou for this its zo helpful for me becuese i do gymnastics at Home and do fake meets an competitions

  17. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new
    scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful information to work
    on. You’ve performed a formidable task and our whole group will
    be thankful to you.

  18. I’m 17 years old and I haven’t done gymnastics since I was in elementary school. My mom is saying that I will never be able to do gymnastics, and that its not worth my time so since we have all the supplies at home since my sisters are aloud to do gymnastics I will train myself. Thank you for the help

  19. I used to do gymnastics when I was 4 and 5, and now I want to start again. I’m 12 now, and I don’t want to be embarrassed if they put me with the younger kids and I can’t do it. How can I get to level 2 fast? Can you explain how to do a handstand in detail? What can I learn at home? Thank you!

    • First put all fours on the ground then put your one foot up and push with the other and keep trying. I did the same quit in kindergarten and started in 6th.

  20. I am a gymnast not in a level yet but I can do everything in level 1 and all but one in 2. Any advice also this was very helpful.

  21. What really inspired me to start learning how to dance and start learning how to do gymnasticswas whatcha gonna the next step sorry this is embarrassing.it is my dream to become a dancer but I am to embarresed to start practicing in front of my housemates

  22. What really inspired me to start learning how to dance and start learning how to do gymnasticswas whatcha gonna the next step sorry this is embarrassing.it is my dream to become a dancer but I am to embarresed to start practicing in front of my housemates

  23. What really inspired me to start learning how to dance and start learning how to do gymnasticswas whatcha gonna the next step sorry this is embarrassing.it is my dream to become a dancer but I am to embarresed to start practicing in front of my housemates .

    • dont be afraid! i am afraid of singing in frount of my house mates what i do is close my eyes and the open them and petend i am all alone and besides the appluse is great at the end

  24. Hi. I’m 10 and I’m a self-trained gymnast , but its really hard to practice with no beam or bar. And…. I ‘m having a really6 hard time with my handstands. I don’t know when I’m going to enter level 2.

  25. Hi. I’m 10 and I’m a self-trained gymnast , but its really hard to practice with no beam or bar….. I ‘m having a really hard time with my handstands, I just can’t push up. Any advice?

    • I suggest that you check out my new YouTube channel, I posted a handstand tutorial and lots of drills and exercises you may be interested in, my YouTube channel is HigherHope Gymnastics

    • I would love to join an adults gymnastics class there is a few things I still need to learn I can do a single leg handstand a lying down bridge dish hold also tried front support back support bit of a cart wheel
      Tuck jumps standing pike with chest to knees Rock and roll to sit part of a split spinning turn with 1 leg etc doesn’t matter what you can do and what you can’t do you learn when you do a class I’ve never been a gymnast but I’m working towards it and already I have completed a 30 day challenge

  26. I am not flexible ether all i can do is a cartwheel roundoff summersalt front flip i can kinda do a handstand side flip dive roll i am working on my roundoff front handspring front flip 3/4 twist. i am kinda flexible i am only 90lbs. sometimes i wish i was still in gymnastics. I also agree with you Shikha!!

    HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!

  27. I am not in gymnastics anymore but I was for 2 years…I was ok I guess but I never learned to do a pullover they tried to teach me but I just couldnt punch my legs up. any ideas?

  28. I am not in gymnastics anymore but I was for 2 years…I was ok I guess but I never learned to do a pullover they tried to teach me but I just couldnt punch my legs up. any ideas? I’ve also been addicted to this new show on Netflix called My Perfect Landing

  29. Thanks so much for this website! If anyone has trouble with back kickover then just try on a higher surface like a couch and go onto lower surfaces until you reach the ground! Thanks again!

  30. Hi I love everything about gymnastic I am self taught but I had took it before… I am a bit confused with some of the names of the tricks and it would be really helpful if you made videos, but other then that this website is super helpful!!!

  31. I found this so helpful! I am 10 (almost 11 starting in january!) and I cant do gymnastics so i use this and do mty own trainings

  32. Thanks, very helpful but gymnastics takes hard work and sometimes you need a professional gymnast to help you and if your doing this by yourself you may intently get hurt but otherwise this is very helpful. Thanks

  33. Can you pretty please make a discount on the skill tracker fees and stuff because I only $3.93. I know I’m poor but pls don’t judge me because I went to target yesterday and spent $21 on makeup

  34. I am a lv 4 and It is comp. season. I found this page helpful for my little siblings. I am teaching them Gymnastics. I have the music and I think you should post it here to.

  35. Hi I am 14, I did gymnastics from ages 2-11. At my old gym we didn’t follow the USAG levels, we had our own system. I want to get back into gymnastics but I had spinal fusion surgery about a year ago (that means my back is fused in place with metal rods.) so I’m not nearly as flexible anymore. Also I’ve never been able to get a good back hip roll on the bars, but my teachers let me advance through levels anyway. I can do most of the things on levels 1, 2, & 3 requirements but I can’t get my backward roll back, except with a hill and even then I can’t land right. I don’t know which level to apply for at the new gym I’m looking into, please give advice how to decide what the right level is!

    • Hi Malia!
      I am very happy your recovered from your surgery! I do feel bad for you that you can’t do some skills! I would recommend maybe go to basics when going to backward rolls! First try using a cheese mat and/or hill (I know it makes you can’t land right but I’m pretty sure EVERY gymnast has been there even me!) then try using a less steeper hill then a little hill and finally on the ground. If you still can’t do it Talk to your coach about skills and drills

  36. I’m level 1 and i’m 9. I can do all the floor requirements but not skills for the other events. Can i move on to level 2?

  37. Hi this is so helpful I actually did gymnastics when I was 3 years old but I stopped at 7 years old now I need to do beginners again and Im doing really well

  38. It’s really helpful because I do gymnastics at home and I don’t know what to learn first and it tells everything about what to learn. ‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️

  39. im not in gymnasstics but try your hardest and do push your self its okay if your emmbarssed all that madders is that you can try and might be good at it next year im going to be in gynasstics so any tips on stuff i should work on.

  40. Hello,I want to start gymnastics and as I was reading the list above,I realized I can’t do anything on bars,and definitly not a cartwheel to handstand on beam.I could do a bridge,but not bridge kickover.What can I do to fix that?

  41. hi, i am in level one and i have all requirements on this website and have told workers there that and they tell me i need to achieve a back-bend kick-over. I went to the level two website and it says i need a back-bend kick over then not now. Which one is true?

  42. This guide to Level 1 gymnastics requirements is really clear and helpful for beginners working on their skills! If you also enjoy gaming and want great APK resources, check out https://shadowfightapks.com/ for Shadow Fight APKs and mod tips to enhance your playtime. Thanks for sharing!

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