Gymnastics shorts: a colour and size guide for boys, men and girls
Gymnastics shorts are a small part of a gymnast's kit, but they matter: boys and men wear them over their leotard on floor and vault, and many girls slip a pair of training shorts over their gymnastics leotard at the gym. Startner is a family workshop that has been making gymnastics leotards and kit in Marseille, France, since 1968, and has equipped more than 400 clubs. Here is our simple guide to choosing the right gym shorts, colour and size, whether for training or competition.
In short
Boys and men wear gymnastics shorts over a leotard on floor and vault, and long trousers (often called longs or a sokol) on pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar. Girls and women usually train in a gymnastics leotard alone, but high-waisted training shorts and a crop top are popular for practice. Pick a colour that matches your leotard or your club colours, measure before ordering, and check your club's guidance for competitions.
Gymnastics shorts for boys and men
In men's artistic gymnastics, shorts are part of the standard kit. Our gymnastics shorts are designed for floor and vault:
- Elastic waist: keeps the shorts in place during jumps and tumbling.
- Rounded split sides: leave the legs completely free to move.
- Light, breathable fabric: comfortable for long training sessions.
- Made in our Marseille workshop, with the Startner logo printed on the front.
They come in kids' sizes from 4 to 14 years and in adult sizes. See the full range of gym shorts, and pair them with one of our boys' and men's gymnastics leotards.
Red, navy, white or orange: choosing the colour
Bright gym shorts are popular because they stand out on the floor and match club kit easily. Our gymnastics shorts are available in red, navy, white, orange and turquoise (availability varies by size).
- Red gym shorts: a classic that goes with any leotard featuring red in its design.
- Navy or white: easy to match with most club colours.
- Orange or turquoise: for a bolder look in training or for clubs with those colours.
For competitions, many clubs ask gymnasts to wear the same colour. Ask your coach before you buy, and check your governing body's rules if you are unsure.
Shorts or longs: which apparatus?
Male gymnasts switch between shorts and long trousers depending on the apparatus. As a general guide:
| Apparatus | Usually worn |
|---|---|
| Floor | Gymnastics shorts |
| Vault | Gymnastics shorts |
| Pommel horse | Longs (sokol) |
| Rings | Longs (sokol) |
| Parallel bars | Longs (sokol) |
| High bar | Longs (sokol) |
Our gymnastics longs have a straight, stretchy cut and a split hem at the ankle that makes them easy to put on. For younger boys in recreational classes, a leotard and shorts are often all that is needed: your coach will tell you when longs are required.
Training shorts over a leotard for girls
Many girls like to wear shorts over their gymnastics leotard for training, especially in older groups. Our black training shorts are high-waisted, with the Startner signature on the leg, in a stretchy, breathable and lightweight fabric. They match our training crop top, so they can also be worn as a two-piece training outfit. See the full range of crop tops and leggings.
For competitions, girls normally compete in a leotard without shorts: follow your club's instructions.
Getting the size right
- Kids: our gym shorts come in sizes from 4 to 14 years. Measure the waist and hips rather than going by age alone.
- In between sizes: for a growing child, the larger size usually lasts longer, as long as the waist stays secure.
- Exchanges: if the size is not right, you can exchange unworn items free of charge.
Choosing a leotard as well? Read our guide to finding the right fit for a boys' gymnastics leotard.
Caring for gym shorts
Gym shorts are worn and washed several times a week, so a little care goes a long way. Wash them inside out at a low temperature, with similar colours, and avoid the tumble dryer: the elastic waist and the colour will last longer. Shake off any chalk after training before putting the shorts in the kit bag, and keep a spare pair if your gymnast trains several days in a row.
Delivery to the UK and Christmas dates
Delivery to the United Kingdom is free on orders over €100. For delivery before Christmas, order by 14 December. Not sure of the size or colour? Our gift card (€30, €50, €80 or €100) is sent by email, valid for one year and can be used over several orders; it is available until 24 December.
Ordering for a whole club? We make custom club leotards from 6 pieces per club order, with free quotes: see custom club leotards.
Frequently asked questions
Do boys wear shorts over their gymnastics leotard?
Yes. In men's artistic gymnastics, shorts are worn over the leotard on floor and vault, and longs on the other apparatus.
What colour gym shorts should I buy?
Choose a colour that matches the leotard or the club kit. Red, navy and white are the most versatile. Ask your coach if the club has a set colour.
Can girls wear shorts for gymnastics?
Many girls wear training shorts over their leotard for practice. For competitions, follow your club's guidance.
What are gymnastics longs?
Long, stretchy trousers worn by male gymnasts on pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar. They are also called a sokol.
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