As a cheer and tumbling coach for over 10 years - here is a list of equipment and workout items that was the most helpful in creating flexibility and gaining tumbling skills. Great drills and exercises can be found at: theloveoftumbling.com
Sections
5
Flexibility
Tumbling and Mats
Workout
Stunting
Misc
Flexibility
Very reliable brand and helps with flexibility and jumps
Kinetic Bands Cheer Flexibility Training Kit
Great for learning bridges and Back Walkovers. Can rock back and forth to build shoulder flexibility as well
Yoga Fitness Stretching Strap, Adjustable Trainer
Flyers have loved this as it helps aid their stretching for more advanced stunts and skills
Myosource Kinetic Bands Cheer Flexibility Strap
This helps with flexibility when working on over splits and advanced stretching
TTolbi Door Leg Stretcher: Flexibility Trainer
For advanced flexibility training. Especially useful for flyers who already have flat splits, over splits, and trying to create the back flexibility for advanced stunts
Artan Balance Leg Stretcher Strap with Handle
Tumbling and Mats
If below running tumbling and twisting skills - basic equipment for all skills at a back Tuck and under is a panel mat, incline mat, and octagon. These three pieces of equipment can help with all beginning and intermediate skills (flexibility, rolls,...
Great for standing tumbling
AKSPORT Air Mat Tumble Track with Air Pump
Great dead mat for tumbling practice
Dollamur FLEXI-Roll 3' x 6' Gymnastics and Cheerleading Stunt Mat
This is great for anything below twisting skills or running tumbling (Forward roll, Cartwheel, Front and Back Walkovers, Back Handsprings, Back Tucks).
Tumbl Trak Folding Incline Mat
Inclines are a must for beginning skills. Starting in a higher elevation to lower elevation for BWO, BHS, and Tucks - is helpful for confidence and training. Also nice when working on bridges and basic rolls, cartwheels, and round offs.
Giantex Gymnastics Wedge Mat, Folding/Non-Folding
Great for 4.5 feet and taller
Tumbl Trak Gymnastics Octagon Skill Shape Mat
I preferred the Tumb Trak mats. They wore well and easy to move.
Tumbl Trak Folding Tumbling Panel Mat
Great mat for home use and foundational piece for learning tumbling
Gymnastics Mat 4x10x2 Tumbling Mat 2” Thick
Panel mats are a great basic mat to have at home - can stretch, workout, basic tumbling and flexibility work on Panel mats
ZENOVA Foldable Gymnastics Tumbling Mat
Tumble tracks are nice for standing tumbling
OWROMI Tumble Track Mats for Gymnastics, Kids
Great Tool for Back Handsprings form. Can feel when legs come apart. Helps with awareness in skills
Tumble Pro X Ankle Straps – Tumbling Trainer Aid
Can hear when Velcro comes apart - helps with awareness in skills
Tumbl Trak Sticky Toes
Workout
1.5 lbs is great training weight for height in jumps
RitFit Ankle Wrist Weights (1 Pair) Adjustable
Great for Balance and Core - essential for training flyers
Yes4All Wooden Wobble Balance Board, Trainer
Resistance training helps with strengthening and can use for flexibility as well
londys 59 Inch Non-Latex Resistance Bands
My tumbling instructors used these in so many workouts with my athletes.
GalSports Yoga Ball, Anti-Burst Stability Ball
This helped create a variety in practice. My team responded to workouts better when they were varied and random. Also put workouts on popcicle sticks and color coded them so they can pick a blue (core), green (arms), yellow (legs), purple (glutes), o...
Puredrop Gymnastics Training Aid Cards: Drills
Throwing these up high against the wall or sitting back to back with another athlete and twisting handing off the ball. These are two of our favorite workouts with the medicine balls
BalanceFrom Weighted Medicine, Wall & Slam Ball
Yoga helps with flexibility and pilates helps with the core muscles needed for tumbling. This combo was always a great active recovery day workout
Gentle Yoga Plus Pilates DVD: Abs, Core, Flexibility
Stunting
Great for building core muscles and helping flyers practice Balance
Sportneer Wooden Balance Board, 15.7'' Black
This is a great stunt stand especially for Twisting and OLE stunts
STUNT STAND® Cheerleading Stunt Training - Black
Help with flyer body alignment for stunts
Juperbsky Stunt Training Stand, Cheer Balance Trainer
Women's Shorts - favorite workout short for practice
Nike Pro Women's 3" Shorts
Nike Pros were my athlete's favorite practice wear. Also, during sideline, could be worn under uniform skirts easily.
Nike Pro Big Kids' (Girls') 4" Shorts
No show socks - required for my team for competing
Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned Women's Training Footie Socks (3 Pairs)
I always recommend rolling after an intense practice or workout
321 STRONG Foam Roller - Medium Density Massager
Better than BioFreeze - best hands down
CryoDerm Cold Therapy 3 oz Roll On (2 Pack)
This set has all of the tools needed for post workout recovery
Foam Roller Set - High Density Back Roller, Stick
With tumbling - this helps with any soreness in back and legs. Do not use directly on spine or neck
BOB AND BRAD Q2 Mini Pocket-Sized Muscle Massager
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
First Steps to Creating a Successful Team
Always had my rising seniors read this - as they become the leaders on the team. Teaches different ways to lead positively.
Captains - 7 Ways to Lead Your Team
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
Teach Attitude First: Developing Gratitude
Read this as a team - nice and short but it was a great discussion topic
Life Lessons for Athletes: Ten Key Lessons
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
The Impact of Trust
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
Confidence: Help Build a Confident Athlete
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
Team Building Through Positive Conditioning
These booklets were so impactful on my teams. I also would select sections to not only help my coaching but to highlight in practice and teachable moments.
Motivational Strategies for Coaches
Great for traveling or if you have multiple uniforms
5-Star Compatible Ink 40 Inch Garment Bag
This is a really cute idea
Lapetale Fashion Medal Hanger Holder Display
Great to keep personal hygiene items or makeup in book bag/duffel bag
ZJXHPO Cheer Coach Zipper Pouch Makeup Bag
These are comfy
2 in 1 Womens Flowy Athletic Shorts with Pocket
My team always appreciated bags with Shoe Compartments
Stanley 36 oz. AeroLight IceFlow Bottle with Fast Flow Lid
Great brand and keeps water cool
Hydro Flask Flex Sip 20 oz. Bottle
Great for traveling and getting ready after school or at competitions
CUBETASTIC Travel Makeup Bag, Large Capacity
Having an organizer was great for competition days. I also used to bring one as a coach with extras, first aid, feminine products, hair ties, athletic tape, and lots of odds and ends that were helpful for my team.
