| Gymnastics is a popular sport that involves a | | | | garment. There are others that are crew-necked |
| sequence of movements performed by skilled | | | | or turtle-necked and close at the back of the |
| gymnasts. It requires considerable strength and | | | | neck with a zipper or snaps. There are also |
| flexibility. Gymnastics as a sport developed from | | | | sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved |
| the fitness exercises of ancient Greek soldiers. | | | | varieties of leotards. |
| Leotard is a garment worn by gymnasts that | | | | There are several types of gymnastics, such as |
| enables easy workouts. It was made famous by | | | | the artistic, rhythmic, trampoline and tumbling and |
| the French acrobatic performer, Jules | | | | sports gymnastics. Leotards are designed for |
| Léotard who apparently called the | | | | different types of gymnastics. Gymnasts usually |
| garment a maillot. | | | | wear a different leotard for each routine. The |
| Gymnasts require a very comfortable garment to | | | | leotard has to fit with the color of the apparatus |
| perform their skills. The leotard is an ideal | | | | and the style of the music. Leotards are made of |
| skin-tight, one-piece garment that fulfills this | | | | elastic material, such as lycra or velours. |
| purpose. It is a standard uniform of gymnasts | | | | There are a number of sportswear companies |
| around the world and is designed with many | | | | that manufacture leotards with extensive designs |
| attractive patterns and colors. It is similar to a full | | | | and styles. They conduct extensive research on |
| piece swimsuit. Made from a stretchable material, | | | | the requirements of gymnasts before designing |
| leotards are helpful in performing jumps and | | | | them. These companies offer premium quality |
| various other sequences that involve flexible | | | | leotards at prices that are affordable. Many |
| movements. It covers a gymnast's torso and | | | | companies also offer an online ordering service for |
| body, and generally leaves their legs free for | | | | leotards with discounted rates. |
| flexible movements. A variation of this garment is | | | | Over a period of time, leotards have undergone |
| the unitard that covers the legs. Trained men and | | | | many changes in their style, color and pattern. |
| women gymnasts regularly wear them in | | | | The material used in the making of leotards is |
| gymnastics practices and competitions. The | | | | today more comfortable than used in earlier |
| leotard is an important part of a gymnast's gear | | | | times. There are new and attractive designs of |
| that helps them compete professionally in national | | | | gymnastic leotards in various ranges and this |
| and international events. | | | | allows a gymnast to experiment with various |
| There are different designs of leotards. | | | | styles before finally settling on a leotard design |
| Scoop-necked leotards have wide neck openings | | | | that suits them best. |
| and are held in place by the elasticity of the | | | | |