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Original poster

Gymnastics bar for 5yo

14 replies

Snoodley · 09/07/2025 15:40

DD is almost 5 and we're thinking of getting her one of those fold away gymnastics bars for her birthday.

She's very active and loves spinning over the bars and hanging upside down at the park and using her friend's gymnastics bar to do the same. She does go to a gymnastics club but it's very much recreational and they rarely get the bars out, so I don't think she'd be doing "proper gymnastics moves" on it.

I have seen some comments online that they're not safe - is this just advice for actual gymnasts? I don't really see why it would be more unsafe for a child than using the bars at the park 🤔

Any advice or recommendations welcome!

OP posts:
Original poster
Snoodley · 09/07/2025 16:31

Little bump

OP posts:
ThatHardyMember · 09/07/2025 17:24

My daughter had one with brackets that screwed into the door frame. The bar could be removed. Was very secure I think. Only danger was me forgetting it was there and hitting my head off it. 🤷

rainbowsinthestorm · 09/07/2025 17:37

We got my girls one when they turned 6, they use it all the time, the height changes so you can make it safer, and just buy a mat to go under it. I think she will be fine, just teach her to know her limits

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ThatLoudBear · 09/07/2025 17:39

My girls have had since they were 2. Ours stays up, but is height adjustable. They've never had an accident and it helps with their hyperactivity (both have ADHD and are Autistic).
They're mainly self-taught, but it has helped them become/stay strong and athletic.

SpicyGlitch · 09/07/2025 17:42

I'd be inclined to look at a gorilla gym.

Youngest always loved being being upside down and climbing, she used the gorilla gym every day for 4 years till she was too big for the space we had.

Now she has a full calisthenic station.

123ccc · 09/07/2025 18:11

My daughter is 9 and although she has progressed to a bigger bar now she had the smaller foldable one for years. She does gymnastics and bars are her forte so she flings herself round on them, just keep an eye for when she gets too big it might start to tip with her weight but you will probably have 2/3 years before that's an issue. Just get a gymnastics mat (IKEA do cute ones) to cover the base so if she falls she doesn't hurt her feet on the metal!

Original poster
Snoodley · 09/07/2025 18:14

ThatHardyMember · 09/07/2025 17:24

My daughter had one with brackets that screwed into the door frame. The bar could be removed. Was very secure I think. Only danger was me forgetting it was there and hitting my head off it. 🤷

Thank you. Could you still close the door? It would have to be in the doorway to the living room so might be a bit of a pain!

OP posts:
Original poster
Snoodley · 09/07/2025 18:15

SpicyGlitch · 09/07/2025 17:42

I'd be inclined to look at a gorilla gym.

Youngest always loved being being upside down and climbing, she used the gorilla gym every day for 4 years till she was too big for the space we had.

Now she has a full calisthenic station.

Thank you - would you mind giving an example (link) of what you mean? Was it free standing or did it fix to the door/wall?

OP posts:
ThatHardyMember · 09/07/2025 18:16

Snoodley · 09/07/2025 18:14

Thank you. Could you still close the door? It would have to be in the doorway to the living room so might be a bit of a pain!

Show quote history

No, it was on her bedroom door, but can be removed from the brackets and brackets can be height adjusted. She got it at about 5 and has wanted it on recently (she's 14 😆).

Annoyedmillennial · 09/07/2025 18:42

Maybe find a different gymnastics club? At the age of five I was doing bar work at my local club which was a feeder to local, national and ultimately Olympic teams for people. We did all the core disciplines (floor, bar, beam, vault) from about that age onwards. I personally wouldn’t be using it at home without all the relevant crash mats etc. I would encourage at home more floor work personally.

Original poster
Snoodley · 09/07/2025 19:54

Annoyedmillennial · 09/07/2025 18:42

Maybe find a different gymnastics club? At the age of five I was doing bar work at my local club which was a feeder to local, national and ultimately Olympic teams for people. We did all the core disciplines (floor, bar, beam, vault) from about that age onwards. I personally wouldn’t be using it at home without all the relevant crash mats etc. I would encourage at home more floor work personally.

Thanks but neither she not we as her parents are really interested in "serious" gymnastics

OP posts:
Grybas · 10/07/2025 07:37

We got ours a bar from Cannons UK when she was about 4 - she is 7 now and still uses it. It's really sturdy and height adjustable. Ours doesn't fold down, but they do do foldable ones too: and crash mats, padded protectors, etc. They are expensive, but you'll often find people selling them second hand too 🙂

purpleme12 · 10/07/2025 07:40

@Snoodley my child is 11 and I got her a 2nd hand foldable bar. Should have got her it years ago really!

She also does gymnastics sessions. But hers are not 'serious' as you put it. Just recreational gymnastics. Hour and a half a week. No competitions

sashh · 10/07/2025 08:09

They look too dangerous to me.

Gymnastics gyms wave loads of crash mats, a foam pit etc.

A head first fall can maim or kill.

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