How to Build Gymnastics Springboard Yourself

Build a Gymnastics Springboard

A good gymnastics springboard will cost you at least $ 500 USD, but you can build one yourself, which is a lot cheaper. Of course I can't take any responsibility for using this springboard blueprint. So if your self-made springboard shoots you to the moon, not my fault :) I've been to a couple of gymnastics gyms in South America and Asia, where they had self-made springboards just like this one, and I've never had a problem with them. In this lesson I will show you how to build a wooden gymnastics springboard with 6 metal springs. You can also build the same springboard with a metal-frame. 100% wooden springboards are a bit harder to build. Instead of metal springs, you can also use elastic rubber blocks . That's a very good solution if you don't want your springboard to be that bouncy => Ideal for wushu training. Also check out our gymnastics instructions at gymnastics main.

What you will need

  • 2 long pieces of wood: 120 x 20 x 2.5 cam
  • 2 shorter pieces of wood: 60 x 20 x 2.5
  • 16 wood screws: 5 cm long
  • 6 steel plates: Diameter 120 to 150 mm, 5 to 10 mm thick - 11 mm bores in the middle
  • 3 steel springs: Diameter 100 mm, 3 - 5 mm thick, about ~150 mm high
  • 3 steel springs: Diameter 100 mm, 3 - 5 mm thick, about ~90 mm high
  • Six 50 to 60 mm metal screws
  • 2 rubber blocks: About 20 x 3 x 5 cm (triangular)
  • 4 more screws to connect the bottom and the top through these rubber blocks.
  • A very strong rounded board (layered material - ask a local carpenter for help): 130 x 60 x >3 cm
  • 1 - 2 mm rubber pieces to protect the bottom of the top-board
  • A very strong sling to hold your springboard together: 120 x 10 cm
  • 5 mm foam layer: About 50 x 100 cm
  • Carpet layer: 130 x 60 cm

Springboard Blueprint

  • Start with the 2 long pieces of wood. Put them 20 cm apart.
  • Then take the shorter ones and place one at the end and one in the middle.
  • Use the 5 cm wood screws to screw the 4 parts together.
  • Then place the 6 metal plates on top (where you want your springs later).
  • Make sure your plates already have 11mm bores in the middle. Bore through the wooden bottom (10,5 - 11mm).
  • Weld your springs onto the plates. Of course you don't "HAVE" to keep the plates on the wooden bottom part while you weld. The 3 bigger springs in front, the shorter ones in the middle. You can actually put your top-board on top after finishing the front springs, and check how long the springs in the middle have to be. The springs in the middle should touch the top all the time. For the bigger springs in front it's ok if there is 1 cm of free space.
  • Finally screw the spring/plate thing onto the bottom piece.
  • Glue the 2 elastic rubber bocks onto the boards like shown in the illustration.
  • Before you screw the top of your springboard onto the bottom, make sure the area where the springs will touch the top-piece is protected with a thin rubber layer. Again, there can be 1 or 2 cm of space between the springs and the top-board.
  • The (red) sling is very important to keep your construction together. Without it, the power of the springs can tear your springboard in pieces after the first jump. Make sure this sling is very strong. Glue it onto the top piece from the middle, and the pull it down on the sides. You can screw or nail the ends into the bottom.
  • Then glue your foam layer on top. This is very important to protect your feet when you jump.
  • When you put the carpet piece on top of the foam layer, make sure there are no screws where you will jump off.
  • Before you new springboard is ready to be used for your first gymnastics or wushu jumps, make sure you add a few rubber pieces at the bottom. This is to protect the gymnastics floor and to make sure you don't slide away and break your neck on your springboard when you try your first jump.

Advice

  • Ask a local carpenter for his advice. You will need extremely strong and flexible wood.
  • Check out our gymnastics instructions.
  • Again: We don't take any responsibility for this construction plan. You are free to modify our springboard blueprint.
  • For wushu training, rubber or foam blocks are just as good. Using rubber blocks also makes construction easier and usage of a self-made springboard safer.