Ambassador
Innovator
- Competitive Gymnastics Coach
- Master Clinician
- Gym Owner
- Biomechanics Specialist
- Mentor to Doug Davis, Founder of Tumbl Trak
One of the sport's most celebrated innovators, Leonard pioneered the concept of teaching gymnastics with progressions rather than spotting. This idea, revolutionary for its time, was enormously influential on Doug Davis, Tumbl Trak founder and one of Leonard's mentees. Through their close relationship, Leonard helped develop some of Tumbl Trak's most important products, including the Laser Balance Beam and Pit Pillow!
1986. Leonard in hat, Doug sitting on right
Master Coach Leonard Isaacs is an important cornerstone to the foundation of Tumbl Trak. In the 1970’s it was Leonard and his unique at the time coaching style who inspired and mentored Tumbl Trak founder, Doug Davis to manufacture gymnastics equipment that would support Leonard’s progressional approach to teaching skills.
A coach since 1967, Leonard has developed numerous national team athletes, mentored coaches and club owners, and was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Region 5 Hall of Fame.
2024. Doug and Leonard (L-R)
In 2013, when Tumbl Trak introduced the Laser Beam to the world, people were instantly curious about its features. “What are the lines and numbers for?”
The concept of having lines and numbers originates from Leonard’s focus on athlete’s beam performance as viewed from the end of the beam. Leonard studies balance and movement recognizing that skills rarely track down the exact center of the beam. Using the lines and numbers to correct balance is an invaluable skill for an athlete to understand.
Leah Parent, Tumbl Trak Ambassador and former athlete of Leonard’s, explains the concept in our Virtual Event, Laser Beam Technique: It's so much more than just lines, linked HERE.
Long before the Laser Beam and Pit Pillow made their way to the Tumbl Trak equipment line, the early versions of those products were used at the American Academy of Gymnastics in Chicago, Illinois by inventor, Leonard Isaacs.
“Go get your friend and bring them over here." That’s a phrase that athletes heard often in Leonard Isaacs gym. Immediately following that direction you’d see kids grab a soft, lightweight, “flop friendly” mat entering the drill area. Leonard called the original Pit Pillow the kids’ “friend” because the mat was always there to help them out when they needed it!
The Pit Pillow had to be thick enough that athletes could feel confident when landing on their stomach or back. Leonard was a master at setting up drills that allow athletes to do the skills on their own with little to no spotting involved. This required soft matting to land on. Enter the Pit Pillow.
When Tom met Tumbl Trak...
Tom Forster began his relationship with Tumbl Trak long before the Forster Bar was invented and not long after the Original Tumbl Trak debuted in the early 1990s. Tom was among the short list of coaches who purchased the first Tumbl Traks as our Founder, Doug Davis recalls.
Doug visited Tom’s gym many times after that first visit, sharing equipment ideas and training techniques. Tom was a significant part of testing many Tumbl Trak products before they emerged on the market.
“When Tom’s order for a 9-ft Tumbl Trak came in, I was so intrigued I had to see what he was up to! I drove to his gym in Colorado to see it in action. Sure enough, the 9-ft Tumbl Trak led into his innovative truck bay pit where athletes were able to fly high and land safely. He was so creative in his setup - he was always thinking of inventive ways to help athletes learn skills.”
~ Doug Davis, Founder of Tumbl Trak
The Laser Beam Family has evolved to 4 different versions of this iconic product!
Doug and Leonard celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Tumbl Trak in 2018!
Leonard teaching at Victory Academy, always eager to help attentive athletes.
The Pit Pillow is your 'Friend!'
Despite coaching many high level athletes, Leonard always knows how to keep it fun!
Leonard at National Congress: discussing gymnastics, memories and his innovations.