For the most serious of athletes, practicing and taking skill classes (even additional Private Lessons) alone are most likely not enough to help in achieving where they would ideally like to be athletically.
While proper nutrition and sleep are huge components for developing athletes, practice on our own away from the gym is super important as well.
Though there are certain exercises which can be done without the use of additional equipment (pushups, running, etc.), there are definitely items that could be helpful if we were able to find a way to get our hands on them and use them at home while working out.
Here are some examples of simple pieces of equipment that may go a long way toward helping to practice at home:
Soft Mat: Find an extra piece of mat, like the ones at the gym (the gym may even have an extra run of mat that they could lend out to you). This mat will serve as a cushion to practice your tumbling and keep you safer than working out on the bare ground itself.
Spotting Blocks: These are soft, cushioned blocks which can be stacked at different heights to assist with learning and perfecting specific tumble skills. They provide support and can be adjusted based on your skill level.
Air Barrels: An air barrel is an inflatable, cylindrical cushion that helps with practicing rolls, handstands, and other tumbling maneuvers. It’s a versatile tool for developing balance and control.
Cheese Blocks: A cheese block is a wedge-shaped piece of foam or cushioning material. Athletes use it to practice and perfect various skills, such as rolls, handstands, cartwheels, and back handsprings. The incline of the cheese block aids in skill development, offering a supportive surface for learning and refining techniques.
Air Track: An air track is an inflatable mat or track used for tumble training. Air Tracks are typically made of durable materials and filled with air to create a bouncy and supportive surface and come in a variety of lengths. Air tracks provide a cushioned and safe environment for practicing tumble skills.
Resistance Bands: Incorporating resistance bands into your exercises can help improve strength and flexibility, which are important aspects of successful tumbling. Feel free to ask a tumble or strength coach as to how these may be able to be incorporated into exercising at home.
Jump Rope: Grab a jump rope for a fun warm-up. Jumping rope helps you get ready for working out in general and also can keep you active on days when your workouts may not be as intense.
Cones or Markers: Use colorful cones or markers to create a series of paths on the floor that you can run different agility workouts through (ask a coach for some suggestions as to specific exercises).
Video Camera/Phone: Recording yourself while practicing allows you to review your form and technique, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Although these are just a fraction of the possible ideas of simple equipment that you can use to help work out at home away from the gym, there are dozens more possibilities if you were to stop and think about it.
How many others can you come up with?
