Forms Of Gymnastics

Many people do not realize that there are several different forms of gymnastics. In competitive gymnastics, gymnasts either perform in all the categories or in specific events.

The form of gymnastics that people are most familiar with is artistic gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics is divided into women’s and men’s competitive events. Men artistic gymnasts compete in the high bar, pommel horse, floor exercise, parallel bars, vault and the rings. Women compete in the uneven bars, floor exercise, balance beam and the vault. Years ago, in other countries, women also competed on the parallel bars, rings and the high bar. Routines that are performed by artistic gymnasts are short, usually ranging from thirty to ninety seconds. Even though the routines are short, they are exhausting both physically and mentally. Each routine in each separate event is designed to push the limits of the gymnast’s endurance, strength and flexibility.

Rhythmic gymnastics is a form of gymnastics that was only introduced for women gymnasts a few years ago. Recently, a new version of this type of gymnastics is being formed in Japan. Rhythmic gymnastics consists of five separate performances that involve the use of rope, clubs, ball, ribbon and hoop which the gymnasts has to handle with grace throughout the performances. This type of gymnastics emphasizes on acrobatic feats. In this event, gymnasts can earn a maximum of twenty points. The music used by the rhythmic gymnast can only be instrumental music, without vocals or words.

Aerobic gymnastics which was formally known as sport aerobics is a discipline of gymnastics that involves the performance of routines of several different people at once. Routines may be performed by an individual, pair, trio or a group of six people. This type of gymnastics places the greatest emphasis on aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. The aerobic routines last up to ninety seconds and they are performed on the floor area.

Trampolining or gymnastics trampoline is a form of gymnastics that consists of four events. The four events are double mini, trampoline, synchronized and individual. The individual gymnast’s routine usually has a beginning phase in which the gymnast jumps several times to achieve great heights followed by leaps and aerial tumbling. In this event, a gymnast can score a maximum of ten points.

Sports acrobatics which is now known as acrobatic gymnastics is a group gymnastic discipline that both women and men can compete in. Acrobats, in groups of no more than four people, perform routines by joining hands and feet with each other. Each discipline of gymnastics is unique in its own way.