Home How to Build a Gymnastics Balance Beam SUGGESTIONS to make / Build a Gymnastics Balance Beam Check here for creative styles and instructions to build your own Gymnastics Balance Beam. Here is where our customers can share a photo & specifications of their projects. Feel free to send us yours! NEW D.I.Y. STICK IT! Raised Beam Instructions! #1. 8 feet long x 4 inches wide x approx. 5 inches deep. Top is approx. 18 inches high from ground. The balance beam was laminated (glued) from six, 8 foot long pieces of 1 by 6 inch pine. The actual thickness of a finished I inch pine board is ¾ inch. In order to have the beam come out 4 inches wide, it will be necessary to plane down two of the boards to a ½ inch thickness. As an alternative, use four boards and two pieces of ½ inch plywood or any other ½ inch stock on hand. Laminating the beam out of several boards insures a stiff beam that won’t sag. I used Titebond III glue which is waterproof. If the beam is to be kept indoors, use any good wood glue. It may be necessary to smooth the top of the beam once the glue has set. This can be done with a plane or belt sander. Support Stands: Made from 6 feet of scrap 2 by 4’s. (Actual 2 by 4 dim. are 1 ½ by 3 ½ inches) The two vertical posts are 12 inches long and made up from two pieces of 2 by 4 glued together. Attach the vertical posts to the bottom of the beam using two 4 inch heavy galvanized angles for each post. The posts should be 10 to 12 inches from the each end of the beam. Attach a 24 inch piece of 2 by 4 to the bottom of each vertical post at right angles to the beam. Install three 10 inch long 2 by 4 braces on each vertical leg as shown in the photo. Use 2 inch #8 flat head wood screws for all attachments. It will take 28 screws to build and attach the stands plus whatever screws are used to attach the galvanized angles. Beam is covered with Synthetic Suede. The height of the beam and its length can be altered to suit individual needs. -End- **NOTE ** SUGGESTIONS** There are several websites selling wood/suede covered gymnastics balance beams online. I suggest looking at some of these websites and seeing the photos of similar beams to help you with your project... Actual 4 x 4's are not a full 4 inches wide...always measure. Some plane the edges and corners of the wood beam and feet. Staple Yoga mats to the beam pad to pad it before covering with suede. Some apply suede to the bottom of the supports to keep the balance beam from scratching the floor. This can be a very basic beam or a more creative project...its up to you! REGULATION BALANCE BEAM is 16'5" length. 4" width HomeHOME*These instructions were provided as a courtesy and are in no way intended to be official or endorsed by anyone other than the particular parent who has made the beam. By using these suggestions you agree not to sue should any stubbed toes, bruised egos or other such injuries that may occur when kids walk/ play or tumble or a raised plank of wood. Kids may fall... Kids may get injured...it is part of the sport of gymnastics. Be responsible. Use at your own risk... Use while supervised...Use common sense... Good luck on your project... Send us a photo with your completed project and any suggestions and we will post it here!... I hope to have this become a useful resource for this type of project! |
Peel away backing and apply
adhesive side of loop along length of
beam.
Staple occasionally along length
to further secure adhesive strip
to the wood.
adhesive side of loop along length of
beam.
Staple occasionally along length
to further secure adhesive strip
to the wood.
Apply any STICK IT! Balance Beam
along the top of the loop. It will
immediately grab and secure to the
beam.
along the top of the loop. It will
immediately grab and secure to the
beam.
ENJOY your "slightly cushioned"
balance beam... Try this with an
ELITE SUEDE Beam!...It's
AWESOME!
balance beam... Try this with an
ELITE SUEDE Beam!...It's
AWESOME!
