Mats are used for safety in gymnastics, and in training new skills. They are usually a piece of foam (covered in leather) ranging from 1.5 to 28 inches thick, covered in a vinyl or plastic lining. The foam ranges in density from relatively firm to very soft.
Landing mats are usually blue but can be almost any other color. They come in various sizes, from tiny mats used on the beam to vast mats used in the foam pits.
Typically, mat use is mandatory in both competition and practice. On every event except floor exercise, pommel horse, and vault, gymnasts may use an additional landing mat without deduction, which may be adjusted for distance.