Summary
A mushroom in gymnastics is a piece of equipment with a domed top, vital for developing circles on pommel horse. Six popular gymnastics mushrooms are:
- The Ultra Dome Pommel Horse Trainer
- The Aura Training Pod
- Spieth Mushrooms
- Spieth Wide Mushrooms
- AAI Training Pods
- The GYMNOVA Mushroom
My choice for best overall mushroom is the Ultra Dome, while the Spieth Mushrooms are my choice for best mushroom for advanced gymnasts.
Gymnastics mushrooms are essential training tools for gymnasts to learn circles for the pommel horse. In the USAG Men’s Development Program, gymnasts compete on the mushroom instead of the pommel horse from Level 3-5. Different brands have different types of mushrooms. Mushrooms vary in height and diameter, and some have detachable tops or allow handles. Lets take a look at various mushrooms for gym and home use.
What is a Mushroom in Gymnastics?
A mushroom in gymnastics is a piece of equipment that gymnasts use to learn circles for the pommel horse. The top of the mushroom is a circular dome usually made of a firm foam. A wooden, metal, or plastic base elevates the dome off of the floor. This gives the equipment the appearance of a mushroom, hence the name. Although mostly used by young gymnasts, high level athletes often return to work on their basic circle on the mushroom as well.
For more information about the pommel horse, check out our simple guide to understanding pommel horse.
Mushroom Products for Gymnasts
Ultra Dome Pommel Horse Trainer
- $195-$515
- Dimensions: 18” height 28” diameter
- Comes in multiple colors like tan and red. Top is marked with a cross to aid in hand placement.
- Dome top can be detached and placed on the floor for floor circles. Top also sold separately.
- Base can be used with other ultra dome tops, such as the pommel top trainer.
- Great mushroom for both gyms and home training at a good price.
- Can be found at american-gymnast.com
Aura Training Pod
- $580
- Dimensions: 18” height 25” diameter
- Leather top matches the surface of AAI pommel horses.
- Can be found at american-gymnast.com
Spieth Mushroom
- $1,000 – $1,350
- with or without a Single Pommel
- Dimensions: 19” height 23.5” diameter
- Top is made from PUR foam (polyurethane)
- Wooden base made of laminated wood.
- Can be found at spieth-gymnastics.com
Spieth Wide Mushroom
- $2,000
- Dimensions: 19” Height 39.25” diameter (48cm x 100cm)
- More forgiving on wrists.
- Wide shape encourages better circle technique, especially circle extension.
- Can be found at spieth-gymnastics.com
AAI Training Pod
- $560
- Dimensions: 18” height 25” diameter
- Detachable top
- Tac/10 cover with marked cross for circle hand placements
- Can be found at americanathletic.com
GYMNOVA Mushroom
- Available by quote
- Dimensions: (45cm x 60cm)
- Comes with a removable padded cover for wrist comfort. Non-detachable top however.
- Can purchase GYMNOVA handles separately and attach to the mushroom.
- GYMNOVA provided the equipment for the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Metal cross base for stability
Best Overall Mushroom
The Ultra Dome Pommel Horse Trainer is my pick for best overall mushroom. At an excellent price and good quality, the ultra dome is great for a gym setting or home use. With the detachable top, the Ultra Dome allows for advanced circle progressions on the floor as well, pivotal for high level pommel horse progressions. The marked cross is great for beginner gymnasts to track where they place their hands.
The Ultra Dome is not as durable as some of the more expensive options on the list, but treated well it will last many years. Likewise, the Ultra Dome lacks some stability on certain surfaces, especially as gymnasts get larger.
Best Mushrooms for High Level Gymnasts
Advanced athletes have different equipment needs than beginners, and although the Ultra Dome is still a solid choice, my pick for best mushrooms for high level gymnasts are the Spieth Mushrooms. Using both the Spieth Mushroom with the handle and the Wide Mushroom, gymnasts fine tune circle technique and work on advanced skills.
The mushroom with the handle attachment allows for single pommel progressions and circles over the handle, my favorite drill for improving circles. The wide mushroom promotes high circle quality. With a comfortable shape and material, the Wide Mushroom impacts the wrist less, which is important as gymnasts start to rack up more circle repetitions.
The biggest downside to the Spieth equipment is cost. To get both the Mushroom with a handle and the Wide Mushroom would cost over $3,000.
For more gymnastics gear information, check out my recommendations for some of the best brands of gymnastics grips.
Equipment Available on Amazon
** Disclosure: This section contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.