Abstract: A device for assisting a person to learn a gymnastic feat includes a board, a pad secured to the board for protecting the person's body from contact with the board, a pole being secured to and having a portion extending beyond the board, the extending portion first being angled rearwardly then extending generally parallel to the board, and a harness for the person to wear the device. The portion of the pole extending beyond the board may have either a plurality of weights slidable thereon or a pair of hand grips that are held by a "spotter" or coach who is assisting the person to learn the gymnastic feat. The device is particularly useful for learning any routine in which the planche position is assumed.