Uneven Bars

The uneven bars are used in women’s gymnastics. It is an apparatus utilized to carry out different acrobatic acts. This apparatus, especially with Olympic uneven bars, include two congruent bars that measure 2.40 meters in length. The height of each bar can be 2.45 meters and 1.65 meters. The distance between the two bars should fall between 1.30 to 1.80 meters. Materials used for an uneven bar vary from steel or metal frame. It can also be made of composite materials, plastics or wood.

It is important for gymnasts to choose durable bars in order to perform uneven bars routines properly. There are seven women’s uneven bars moves which can be portrayed in a gymnastic presentation.

Using an uneven bar, the gymnast will have to launch on top of the bars. The gymnast will start her launch on the low bar. ‘Mount’ is the term being used for this act. The reverse of mount is called ‘dismount’ where a gymnasts’ landing takes place. It usually denotes the end of the gymnastics uneven bar routine.

Other uneven bars routines include losing contact with the bars while in-flight. This is being referred to as the ‘release moves’. Whenever a gymnast tries to switch from one bar to the other, she is exercising the ‘transition moves’. In addition to the above-mentioned bar routines are the ‘giants’ and ‘stalders’. There is a definite method of holding the bars in giants as the gymnast swings. Alternatively with stalders, the swinging of the gymnasts’ body is piked with straddled legs.

Some of the famous routines in gymnastics uneven bars have been outdated. Beats, Radolcha somersault and Hecht dismount are some good examples of these. According to some reports, such routines have gone extinct because the levels of difficulty are so high that they can sacrifice safety. While some uneven bars routines have gone extinct, others were suspended. Static hold movements are prohibited. This may be due to the danger it poses since a gymnast will have to use up a great deal of weight. Another bar act which have been prohibited is the ‘Korbut Flip’. This routine is considered an exceedingly difficult stunt.

Routines are not the only movements that matter whenever someone performs in uneven bars in gymnastics. There are instances that surpassing difficulty is not the main reason why someone wins. The artistic positioning of the gymnast while in bars displays substance. Such positioning may include the bearing of the legs and the hands and how they are being released, transitioned and controlled.