Foam cubes are no longer the first choice. What happened, and what is the best alternative today? 

We have seen the change happening. Each month, we visit gymnastics facilities all over the world that want to switch from foam pits to airbags. We ask them about the change, and they all give the same answer: Foam pits are a thing of the past. 

The truth is that gymnastics is evolving, and so is the technology to improve an athlete’s performance. Foam pits were once the standard for training, but today, airbags offer a safer and simply better alternative. 

The question now is: Why are foam cubes becoming outdated? Well, let the statistics speak for themselves. 

1. Foam Cubes Need Frequent Replacement

We constantly hear complaints from gymnastics facilities about how quickly foam cubes wear out. Due to the constant compression and breakdown of the foam, a typical foam pit replaces 10% of their cubes every year.  

Not only that, but from day one, the cubes become less and less effective at absorbing impact. In reality, once a cube loses its structure, it becomes more of a risk than a safety feature. 

2. Foam Pits Are Dust Traps

For athletes constantly jumping into a foam pit, they know the issue very well. Dust comes from all over the place, to the point that even your throat can itch. It is no secret that foam cubes are known for trapping dust, chalk, and other debris. Many gymnasts consider them a health hazard, and athletes, operators, and coaches completely hate this issue. 

According to our Bagjump north american CEO and gymnastics industry expert Brent Poulsen, he has heard gymnastics coaches complain that sometimes foam pits even contain blood, urine, and other types of disgusting fluids. 

3. Hygiene Issues: Foam Cubes Absorb Everything

There is something some people don’t know—foam cubes aren’t just dirty; they are impossible to clean. They absorb every type of fluid they come into contact with, and as we mentioned in the previous point, moisture, sweat, and even bodily fluids can be found inside them. 

This is a serious hygiene problem, especially in busy gyms where hundreds of athletes of all ages use the same pit daily. 

4. Athletes Spend More Time Climbing Out Than Training

Perfection in gymnastics is all about repetition. The more times you can practice a skill, the faster you improve and the better you become. That is just a fact. Unfortunately, when we compare the time between repetitions for an athlete using a foam pit and the same athlete using an airbag, the numbers are shocking—foam pits just slow everything down. 

Once an athlete lands in a foam pit, they have to crawl their way out. This is especially difficult for younger athletes or athletes recovering from an injury. 

5. Foam Pits Are a Fire Hazard

Fire safety has been dominating the news lately, and foam pits are at the center of attention. Foam cubes are highly flammable, and in the event of a fire, they burn quickly and release very toxic fumes. 

France is one of the first countries to identify this issue. There, new regulations are forcing gyms to reconsider their use, making it difficult to comply with safety standards. 

6. Airbags Provide More Reliable Landings

No athlete wants an unpredictable landing. They are dangerous and can lead to unnecessary injuries that could cost a career – and let’s not forget about the long-term wear and tear on the body. Unfortunately, with foam pits, unpredictable landings are the norm. Foam cubes shift, compress, and create uneven surfaces that simply cannot be avoided. Coaches we talked to have seen ankle rolls, awkward falls, and even more serious injuries that could have been prevented with an airbag. 

Foam pits are not only making training less consistent but also more dangerous for athletes. 

The Future of Gymnastics Training 

Foam cubes had their time. We won’t deny that they played a big role in the development of gymnastics, but the future of the sport is moving forward, with cleaner, safer, and more competitive alternatives available. 

The reality is simple: Gymnastics facilities are seeing more negative impacts from having a foam pit than from offering other alternatives. The era of the foam pit has come to an end, and now the time of the airbag has arrived. 

Bagjump offers a modern, durable, and cost-effective alternative that keeps athletes safer while also improving their performance. The question now is: How long will it take until we see only airbags in every single gym around the world?