Everyone has an opinion on women’s gymnastics uniforms, but did you know there isn’t just one type?
We break them down into three different buckets: the classic leotard, the full body unitard, and then the in-between “shorts leotard.”
The leotard and its counterparts are popular in women’s gymnastics to allow for freedom of movement. The snug fit allows judges to see lines and posture, properly evaluating technique.
What is a gymnastics leotard?
When you think of women’s gymnastics uniforms, you probably think of the leotard. This is the most common uniform worn today.
A leotard is a skin-tight, one-piece garment that covers the torso and extends into a brief-cut bottom. It can be long sleeve or short sleeve.
The leotard is named after Jules Leotard – a French acrobatic performer from the 1800s.
What is a gymnastics unitard?
The unitard is on the opposite side of the spectrum from the leotard. It has the top of a leotard but extends into a legging-like bottom that covers the legs to the ankles.
German gymnasts are known for wearing unitards, although they don’t always choose to do so. For example, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sarah Voss and Pauline Schaefer-Betz wore unitards while teammate Helen Kevric wore a leotard.
What is a shorts leotard?
The in-between option that balances the leotard and unitard is best described as a shorts leotard.
2025 world floor champion Aiko Sugihara has designed a version of this and dubbed it the “Aitard.” Sugihara felt comfortable wearing the leotard when she was younger, but as she has gotten older, photos of her wearing leotards receive sexual comments. So she set out to design something that she feels more comfortable wearing.
Are all three uniform types legal in competition?
The short answer: yes. The long answer is more nuanced.
At the international level, within the scope of World Gymnastics rules, all three types of women’s gymnastics uniforms are approved.
The shorts leotard is approved by WG as long as the leg length is “no more than 2 cm (a little less than an inch) below the base of the buttocks.”
USA Gymnastics rules are a little less specific but seem to align with World Gymnastics rules. They allow of leotards, unitards, and shorts leotards. In addition, tights (capri length or longer) and shorts may be worn under OR over a leotard. They have to be black, match the leotard, or skin tone.
NCAA gymnastics rules don’t mention unitards or shorts leotards, per se, but they state that athletes can wear spandex shorts or long leggings during competition, assuming that the team, as a whole, is wearing a leotard uniform.
Why do gymnasts choose different uniform styles?
Reasons vary for why gymnasts opt for the different styles of women’s gymnastics uniforms. It can be for comfort, body confidence, religious and/or cultural reasons, or just personal preference.
Fisk alum and current Gymnastics Now contributor Naimah Muhammad received special permission to wear leggings under her leotard before NCAA rules changed ahead of the 2025 season.
“In terms of my gymnastics, I’ve grown up practicing Islam and started wearing tights since club gymnastics, first, for solely religious reasons,” Muhammad said. “But it also made me feel less exposed and way more comfortable than just a leotard, so I wanted to continue in college and have the choice to cover up more.”
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