It’s that time of year again! The time to decide our top 10 favorite Region 5 Leotards, which is never an easy task. Especially because that means I have to make a list and if you have followed along with the Region 5 Insider you should all be well aware by now I cannot make a list without including extras. This year was an exceptionally difficult year as there were so many great leotards out on the competition floor. However, after many photos taken, lists made and votes gathered I was able to get it together enough to pick my top 10 favorites plus a few extras. So sit back, relax and enjoy Part II of our top 10 (or more) favorite Region 5 Leotards with Leos 5-1, plus a few honorable mentions, and find out which Leo earned the Top spot in 2026!
5. Excel Gymnastics (KY 1st Yr)
Excel’s leotard is stunning, eye catching and incredibly different. As soon as this athlete walked into media at Regionals I was in love with this leo! It reminds me of a Figure Skater [or Rhythmic Gymnasts] outfit all she needs is a black skirt and she is ready to hit the ice and there is nothing wrong with that! I love to take inspiration from Figure Skaters and Rhythmic outfits when designing my own leotards, they are not afraid to be different, over the top and take risks and I love that. I also love that with this leotard Excel did it right and matched the mesh areas to the athletes skin tone, which for me is huge.
4. Gym Kinetics (IL 2nd Yr)
This leo caught my eye because it is very different than the leos Gym Kinetics has had in the past. As soon as they walked into Regionals this leo caught my eye! It reminds me of a suspension bridge between night and sunset. This is almost a leo that a Michigan gym should have or a San Fransisco gym. This of course may not be the intention of Gym Kinetics when designing their leotard, but I absolutely love it. I also really love the criss cross back design along with the jewels that remind me of stars.
3. Flying High (IL 1st Yr) & Mid Michigan (MI 2nd Yr)
I had an extremely hard time deciding between these 2 leos, at first I had them in separate spots then had to put them together because I just could not decide which I loved more. These 2 leos are the same but different, at first someone might think they are the same leo design, and I can see how someone who has not spent countless hours (more than I probably should) analyzing both these amazing leos. When I saw both of them at different points in the season they each caught my ear for different reasons. Flying High’s was absolutely the back I loved it as soon as I saw it, then I saw all the jewels on the front and it just hit different. Again this is one of those leos that looks like a shield and I love it. The leo is classic, elegant and strong! When I first saw MMG’s leo I instantly loved it! It is one of my favorite leos they have had in a long time. I love the white to black ombre mixed with the blue, it is definitely different for MMG who traditionally has gone with darker leos accented with a jeweled design. The “V” in the front gives it a great shape and makes it look great on all body types. As my own teenage athletes would say it makes you looked “Snatched” plus give me a high neck and a key hole back any day!
2. BIG (IL 3rd Yr)
What I always have loved about BIG is they are not afraid to push the envelop on them, they like lots of jewels, an intricate back and their signature color. Their leos stand out on and off the competition floor at all levels! You cannot help but watch when they twist, turn, tumble or walk by. They also look great in photos, which of course is very important. The leo is so stunning that there just are not enough words to describe the beauty and how much I love it. It is simply spectacular!
1.Phoenix Gymnastics (MI 1st Yr)
I have loved this leo since the first moment I saw it at the 2024 GOTG meet in Grand Rapids. However, there are rules for the list, I literally was waiting for Phoenix to have a level 9 at Region 5 Championships to be eligible for the list and this year they were there! What I love most about this leo is that it embodies their name PHOENIX, depending on how you look at it you can see a Phoenix in the design on the front as well as the progress of flames as it moves from blue to yellow. The jeweled flames on the arms are also a great added detail, the same with the back it is not just solid color straps criss crossing, there is depth and color representation. This leo simply has been my favorite since I first saw it and the only place on this list that it could be is number 1.
Honorable Mentions:
Not only is the top 10 insanely difficult, but so are the honorable mentions there were so many amazing leotards out on the competition floor this year, I wish I could include everyone, but I am not the only one deciding on this list. I really value the input from others to help me decide, especially when it comes to the honorable mention list.
Midwest Training Center (IN): When this young lady walked into Media for Level Eastern Qualifiers at Regionals I instantly LOVED this leotard, but even more I absolutely LOVED this athletes hair style and matching bow! It definitely made this leo stand out even more for me, the jewels on the sleeves and throughout also added catching shine to this red and black leotard.
Cincinnati (OH): Cincinnati never disappoints in the leotard department and is no stranger to this list, having made the list in one way or another almost every year! It actually took me 7 years to realize they get a new leo every year! What I love most about this leo is the jewel pattern on the front, it kind of reminds me a sparkly shield and the white/pink ombre just adds al ittle something extra. I can wait to see what CGA comes up with for the 2026-2027 season because I am sure it will be beautiful!
FLYTZ (OH): A lot of gyms have used this leo design in one way or another, I had it mocked up for my own gym at one point, but knew it was going to be very popular so I went a different way. However, I really love how FLYTZ did it with the all black and royal blue accent, it really made the leotard stand out on the competition floor.
Vortex (MI): Vortex is a new gym in the state of Michigan and they are coming out of the gates swinging in their first year with this leotard. I love the all black with the purple and gold accent colors, this leo stands out for me because it is different in design and color scheme and we all know I love different. Actually this gyms tank leo they wore prior to their long sleeve is amazing as well! I cannot wait to see what the next few years of leos brings for this club.
Thank you for another great year of Region 5 Leotards! I cannot wait to see what the this coming season holds for beautiful leotards, I am sure it will again be impossible to only pick 10! In case you missed Part 1 Click Here to check out 10-6 along with a few HM’s.
Disclaimer: To be eligible for the Region 5 Top 10 Favorite Leo list at least one athlete must compete at least one event at the Level 9/10 Region 5 Championships. Reminder: The Region 5 leotard list is opinion based, 100 non-affiliated individuals are also polled to help in the selection process.
