Spring Boards
Buy springboards for artistic gymnastics
Springboard buying guide: Find the perfect springboard for your gymnasts in clubs and schools
Springboards are essential in artistic and apparatus gymnastics. In vault disciplines such as box vaults or jumps over the horse or vaulting table, they provide powerful take-off and boost the jump height of your gymnasts. A well-sprung board delivers the height and ideal flight phase needed for technically demanding competition routines. In children’s gymnastics, springboards are also used for playful jumping and landing exercises, helping kids train coordination, body control and motor skills.
In our Sport-Thieme buying guide, we show you the key criteria for choosing the right springboard:
- Areas of use
- What are the differences between springboards?
- Type of spring
- Spring action
- How important is body weight for a springboard?
1. Areas of use
Springboards are available for apparatus gymnastics in school sports, club training and competitions. For competitive gymnastics, you need FIG-certified competition springboards with high take-off power and minimal energy loss. Premium competition boards also offer a consistent rebound across the entire board, even at high approach speeds.|
Area of use |
Typical requirements |
|
School |
robust construction, easily controllable spring behaviour, safe for everyday use |
|
Club |
more precise response, suitable for regular intensive use, versatile for methodical training |
|
Junior training |
appropriate dynamics, well matched to body size and skill level |
|
Competition-oriented training |
defined take-off, consistent response, high load capacity |
2. What are the differences between springboards?
The main differences between springboards are in design, spring strength, size and area of use. There are softer, safer models for children, schools and beginners, as well as firmer, more responsive boards for club and performance gymnastics. They also differ in take-off dynamics, surface (with non-slip padding), stability and, in some cases, adjustability. It is crucial that the springboard matches body weight, performance level and intended use so that take-off, control and safety work together perfectly.By the way: All manufacturers distinguish between springboards for children, beginners, advanced users and artistic gymnasts. Both jumping experience and the gymnast’s body weight and height are decisive here.
3. Type of spring
Springboards are available with pure wooden springs, metal springs or a trampoline bed. Models with metal springs have the advantage that the springs can usually be replaced. This allows you to adjust the stiffness of the board. Springboards with a trampoline bed make it easier on the joints when learning new jumps.A good springboard should retain its shape, be well finished and withstand daily use. Especially in schools and clubs, it is worth looking closely at the quality of the tread surface, the workmanship of the underframe and its suitability for frequent everyday use. In springboard gymnastics, it’s not just about dynamics, but above all about reliable, repeatable performance.
4. Spring action
The spring action comes from the pre-tensioned wood and the metal springs. These are installed between the wooden spring and the base of the board. On springboards without metal springs, the spring action is generated solely by the wooden spring. Spring action is classified as 1 (low), 2 (medium) and 3 (strong).By the way: Our comparison table for springboards shows whether a springboard is suitable for gymnasts with no, limited or advanced jumping experience. Springboards for elite athletes are ideal for experienced jumpers and top performers.
5. How important is body weight for a springboard?
It is vital to match the springboard to the gymnast’s body weight, as this directly affects the spring behaviour. A board that works well for lighter gymnasts can react very differently with heavier users. Conversely, a very stiff board may offer too little rebound for children or light beginners. Use the recommended age and/or body weight as a guide. For children up to 40 kg, always choose a special junior springboard. In schools and clubs, a model that covers a wider user range is ideal, without making the take-off behaviour too imprecise.
Choose the right springboard for your target group. In the Sport-Thieme online shop you’ll find competition springboards such as original Reuther boards for artistic and performance gymnastics in clubs, high-quality training springboards for apparatus gymnastics in schools, and special springboards for children’s gymnastics.