520 Leather Artistic Gymnastics Shoes - Black

Which of the three kinds of gym shoe is right for you?

For school sports or gentle gymnastics on hard, cold floors, we recommend wearing canvas gym shoes with a semi-stiff sole that will insulate you from the ground.

For artistic gymnastics, you need to be able to feel the floor or apparatus underneath your feet. This is why gym shoes with a supple microfibre sole are best.

For rhythmic gymnastics, toe shoes are recommended to protect the tips of your toes.

Why wear artistic gymnastics shoes?

A lot of gymnasts do artistic gymnastics in bare feet to be more comfortable and so that they can feel the floor more easily.

However, it is a good idea to get used to wearing gym shoes from a young age. Hygiene is the number one reason for this.

Grip is another: gym shoes will not slip, unlike socks.

Gym shoes will also prevent you developing Sever's disease, which occurs as children are growing.

What is Sever's disease?

Because gymnasts' feet suffer repeated impacts with no cushioning, micro injuries can form in the heel and lead to pain that prevents them from training.

This issue appears as children are growing but it is not serious, and will go away if rested.

Nevertheless, the best way to prevent Sever's disease is to wear gym shoes with a heel protector that will cushion landings and prevent it occurring in the first place.