Brittney asks: My daughter is still shy of the locker room at our local gym. Is it ok if she is changing into her leotard at home and I take her to practice already wearing it?
Whether or not you change at home before you go to gymnastics varies by team. On many teams younger gymnasts do change into their leotard at home. You can wear sweats over top of it for the drive to practice, or if its warm outside, just ride in the car in only your leotard.
Typically as girls get older they are less likely to get into their leotard at home. The time with friends in the locker room as they change before practice is a good time to catch up and bond. The bigger thing is showering after practice. It can be a lot easier to change into the leotard at the gym, then your street clothes are there and ready for after your shower.
While we are on the topic of getting changed, if you’re a younger gymnast you may still want panties under your leotard. The sooner you give them up the more comfy your leotard will feel. Leos are meant to be worn without panties for maximum ease of movement. Its fine to be panty-free by 8 or 9 years old and many teams require you to stop wearing panties by the age of 12.
Younger gymnasts don’t need bras either. Leotards will hold you fine at the training bra and A cup stage. Most girls can wear just a leotard even with they are B cup size. Often girls who are C or bigger wear a bra under their leotard. Make sure to get a bra that the leotard will cover so you don’t lose point deductions for your bra strap showing.
And moms, if you are working on helping your gymnast transition to not wearing panties under her leotard, having her change at home may help. Then you can gently check in the privacy of your own home to make sure she isn’t wearing anything under the leo. Once shes used to wearing it properly, she can graduate to changing with her friends in the locker room.
