What pit is the best option for your gym and students? Is the best choice for your athletes the In-ground bungee pit system or, the above ground pit mat? An in-ground bungee pit would need either loose foam blocks or a pit mat.
Is digging an option in your building?
Is the businesses ready to invest in a bungee pit system?
The goal of using a pit is to ensure safe skill progression for each athlete. Aerial skills can improve with more air time by increasing body awareness. The in-ground pit system increases air time while providing safety. for the athlete to advance.
Inground Foam Block Pit
In-ground foam block pits are often the most desirable choice for a training pit. If a new gym is considered, a discussion regarding the design and pit requirements should take place with the builder and/or architect. Some suggested requirements for an in-ground pit would be, pit sealing and possible water removal. If an inground pit in a pre-existing location is considered, the gym owner may need to obtain quotes for construction costs. An inground pit allows for increased safety and athletic confidence while new skills are taught and mastered.
A foam pit is a great conditioning training area. A cargo net and/or a rope can provide opportunity for multiple learning stations. Pits are a great, safe attraction for open gyms and birthday parties for less skilled athletes.
Glory and Power sells Pit kits that are state of the art. They come with a sprung trampoline bed to support the foam blocks. The continued bouncing of the bed fluffs the pit and increases the life span of the blocks. This additional safety feature deceases risk of injury to athletes. A poorly built pit without a thick bottom mat or bungee system may not keep athletes safe.
There is regular maintenance necessary for foam block pits. A regular monthly fluffing of the pit is required to keep the pit full and blocks fluffy. Continued use of blocks causes them to become mashed in. Monthly maintenance allows more room between blocks for a fuller, safer pit. After time, the blocks will begin to show signs of the foam breaking down and the athlete will not stop as quickly and safely as before. When this happens, the blocks should be replaced.
Pit Mats
Pit Mats are a great piece of training equipment in any gym setting. Learning a new skill on a soft, safe landing surface will increase the confidence of athletes. Glory and Power sells pit mats that are state of the art. When training with a pit mat, the athlete is confidently controlling the skill. Coaches can add extra landing mats for firmer landing areas.
Other Alternatives
Other options available would be an inflatable pit that inflates with a blower. If the gym has limited space, or perhaps a temporary facility, an inflatable pit might be the best option. The Air Track Catcher is connected to the end of an Air Trak or Tumbl Trak, or may be used by itself. The inflatable Air Track Catcher offers a safe landing area for the athlete. The end height of the Air Track Catcher can be adjusted for the size of the athlete by adding foam mats to its 14in high base.
Suggested steps for teaching skills utilizing a pit, blocks, and mat:
Step 1
Athletes can practice skills landing in loose foam blocks once they are able to control the skill and feel confident to practice on their own.
Step 2
The coach could add a landing mat for a contact landing surface. Utilizing a landing mat will offer a little give and will allow the athlete time to learn to perfect the skill.
Step 3
An additional landing mat may be added to the landing. This will create a firmer landing surface to prepare the athlete for the floor landing. Once the athlete is able to control the landing and has confidence in the skill, it is time to move the skill to the rod-floor or spring floor with a spotter.
Step 4
When the athlete is able to perform the skill on the rod floor or spring floor as taught in steps 1-3, the spotter can be removed.
