Calling anyone who knows about gymnastics and kids...

[SashaAlabaster]

I know zilch about gymnastics!

In your experience, would an at-home practice balance beam get the use out of it by a keen 6-yr-old (or will it gather dust after the novelty wears off?)

If yes, would this one be a decent investment or are there better versions around the same price point. £31.99. Some I've looked at are extortionate.

I will run the idea past her Mum, but wanted to get a few knowledgeable opinions on here first so I don't sound like an idiot...

TIA 🙂

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gymnastics-Beam-Kids-Equipment-Children/dp/B0CXN1S65Z/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.r9rgvER4zmR64pEEBoREz8JOqan0rMsPyZkYlQmX2qPNJr-hnkrZEZLADpHesM3y4hXD2YANFSChnmMoSUsw0wYQhSJ46_atBSTU9zDduj0HZPYSGV81BxXVLLu-MPNhsSKXxvTM1xnkprQvWeQQb6tFlDz9Y1BP4qn3_ZQRrNQtiPL5net8hWDKaRW9MLazrnyIaO3303zeme4OgzxOFJ3mFfrbRGqlB5Ii7mlEgN6FkHy2CEK0oJJOYf1yfMZxCNODAHkZM6EHM3d1jqRYYmKqtjHAyZKSDJMZg1sBc1s.IvKEVzh6doUqzciCU17a_nnXqn8l8MRAnRjTBiTGjpI&dib_tag=se&keywords=gymnastics%2Bbeam%2Bfor%2Bhome&qid=1732172248&sr=8-8&th=1

Depends on the kid ours gets used in the summer in the garden only. It’s too long to do anything on it much in the house, ie cartwheels on it. A folding crash mat gets more use in the house but again you need space.

No, i doubt it

Ours isn't used. There's nowhere spacious enough in the house and our garden isn't flat enough so the beam just isn't stable enough to do anything interesting on it.

If they have a massive house and a room big enough to put the beam where the child won't crash into furniture if a cartwheel goes wrong then it might be good.

My kid did advanced gymnastics for years- most of lessons didn't involve balance bar much- so I think not.

I have bought one on Facebook marketplace for my daughter for xmas. Normally over £100, paid £40. Sturdy and off the ground so more like a real one than the on the ground ones.

An off the ground one would be better but then you have the space issue. I got DD a foldable one and she did use it but it wasn't easy to recreate what she did at gym as it wasn't that stable and the width was different.

A really good mat would be a better idea for floor. I got DD one last year which is between a floor mat and crash mat depth which she is constantly on. I can put it against a wall for storage. amzn.eu/d/d5ECwWa

Or a new leotard/crop set always went down well with D/D. She could never have enough.

A pull-up bar that goes in a door frame got used a lot great for core strength but mine were older when that went up.

Agree that a good mat is better. My dad was in squad and had a beam like that but as others say it’s not overly stable. This mat however is used daily and has been for years!https://amzn.eu/d/8R9wO9s

Mats will be more useful especially if you have hard floors.

Oh, thank you all so much for everyone's input. I'm really glad I asked now!

Seems a crash mat is the way to go.

I shall check with her Ma that nobody else is buying one for her. Luckily, they DO have house space.

Cheers again.

This got much more use in our house than the floor beam.

Ours did, for years, but we have a big enough lounge for dd to use it properly.

We also have a gymnast at home and can confirm that we have several of the same IKEA plufsigs mats that got used a lot and we have the exact same balance beam. She used it some years quite a lot, then less when she was 11/12 but now she's 13 and learning her routine for the new season she brought it out again. So I think both the mat and the beam are actually ok.
My daughter would have loved an airtrack but those I've always found overpriced/too big. She further uses hand leathers for the bar. A good suit is also always appreciated (as can be pretty pricey)