
Gymnastic Apparatus: An Overview of the Equipment Used in Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport that showcases the strength, agility, and grace of the human body. There are two main types of gymnastics: artistic and rhythmic. Each type has its own set of apparatus, which are the pieces of equipment that gymnasts use to perform their skills. In this article, we will explore the different apparatus used in both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, and how they are used in competition.
Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus
Artistic gymnastics is the most popular and widely practiced form of gymnastics. It involves six events for men and four events for women, each with its own apparatus. The apparatus used in artistic gymnastics are:
- Vault: This apparatus consists of a springboard and a vaulting table, which is a rectangular platform with a curved top. Gymnasts run towards the springboard, jump on it, push off the vaulting table, and perform various flips and twists in the air before landing on a mat. The vault is judged on the difficulty, height, distance, form, and landing of the vault.
- Uneven Bars: This apparatus is only used by women. It consists of two horizontal bars set at different heights, one higher than the other. Gymnasts swing from one bar to the other, performing various grips, releases, turns, and transitions. They also perform a dismount from the higher bar, usually involving a flip or a twist. The uneven bars are judged on the difficulty, execution, fluidity, and amplitude of the movements.
- Balance Beam: This apparatus is also only used by women. It consists of a wooden beam that is four inches wide and 16 feet long, raised about four feet above the ground. Gymnasts perform various jumps, turns, acrobatic skills, and dance elements on the beam, while maintaining their balance and elegance. They also perform a dismount from the end of the beam, usually involving a flip or a twist. The balance beam is judged on the difficulty, execution, artistry, and connection of the elements.
- Floor Exercise: This apparatus is used by both men and women. It consists of a square mat that is 40 feet by 40 feet, covered with carpet and foam. Gymnasts perform routines that combine tumbling passes, dance elements, and acrobatic skills on the floor. Women’s routines are performed to music and last up to 90 seconds, while men’s routines are performed without music and last up to 70 seconds. The floor exercise is judged on the difficulty, execution, artistry, and composition of the routine .
- Still Rings: This apparatus is only used by men. It consists of two wooden rings that hang from cables about nine feet above the ground. Gymnasts perform various strength and swing elements on the rings, such as holds, crosses, levers, malteses, handstands, and dislocates. They also perform a dismount from the rings, usually involving a flip or a twist. The still rings are judged on the difficulty, execution, stability, and control of the elements.
- Parallel Bars: This apparatus is also only used by men. It consists of two wooden bars that are parallel to each other and about six feet above the ground. Gymnasts perform various swings, supports, balances, and releases on the bars,
such as kips, dips, handstands, stutzkehres, healeys,
and diamidovs. They also perform a dismount from
the bars,
usually involving a flip or a twist.
The parallel bars are judged on
the difficulty,
execution,
fluidity,
and amplitude
of
the elements. - High Bar: This apparatus is also only used by men.
It consists of
a single metal bar that
is about nine feet above
the ground.
Gymnasts perform various swings,
releases,
turns,
and changes
of direction on
the bar,
such as giants,
tkatchevs,
kovacs,
gay
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