This part of our guide covers gymnastics, a sport involving physical exercises that require balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance.
The roots of gymnastics go back to Ancient Greece, where it was part of physical education and military training. The term is derived from the Greek gymnazein, which translates to "exercise naked," as the practice was to exercise unclothed in gymnasiums.
The sport was first included in the Olympic Games in 1896.
Gymnastics includes several disciplines or forms.
The most well-known is artistic gymnastics, which features routines on apparatus such as the floor, vault, uneven bars, and balance beam for women, and floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar for men.
Rhythmic gymnastics, on the other hand, is a mesmerizing display of grace and coordination. It involves routines with apparatus like ribbons, hoops, balls, clubs, and ropes, with an emphasis on the beauty and fluidity of movement.
In trampoline gymnastics, athletes perform acrobatic moves while bouncing on a trampoline, showcasing flips and twists.
Acrobatic gymnastics involves teams of gymnasts performing routines that include balance, lifts, and dynamic elements.
Aerobic gymnastics involves high-energy routines set to music, combining strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness.
Generally, gymnastics scoring is based on two main components: the difficulty score and the execution score. The difficulty score begins at zero and increases based on the complexity and risk of the elements performed. For women, the eight most difficult elements are counted, while ten elements are considered for men. The execution score starts at 10, and deductions are made for errors such as falls, steps on landings, and form issues like bent knees or flexed feet. The final score is the sum of the difficulty and execution scores minus any neutral deductions for rule violations.
Gymnastics is a physically demanding sport with inherent risks. Common injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, and injuries due to overuse. Learning and maintaining correct techniques to minimize the risk of injuries is essential, along with enhancing strength, flexibility, and endurance to protect joints and muscles.
While retail websites selling gymnastics supplies or equipment would be best placed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category, other topics related to gymnastics are appropriate this section of our guide.
Recommended Resources
Bright Raven Gymnastics is an established gymnastics facility in Rochester, New York. In business since 1969, Bright Raven is one of the longest-running gymnastics centers in the area. It offers a variety of programs for people of different skill levels and ages, from recreational to competitive teams. Its history, location, and an introduction to the facility is set forth, along with class information, schedules, events, competitive teams, and contact data.
https://brightravengym.com/
The site is intended for gymnasts, coaches, and others who want to learn about gymnastics skills. It offers different viewpoints and ideas on how to learn a skill. Readers are invited to comment or add content to the website. A skills index is featured, alphabetically displaying men's and women's events. There are sections for floor, rings, vault, pommel horse, parallel bars, high bar, beam, uneven bars, trampoline, conditioning, stretching, definitions, positions, and WOD.
http://www.drillsandskills.com/
Available by subscription in print and digital versions, Inside Gymnastics features athlete interviews, event coverage, video segments, photo galleries, and news from the gymnastics community. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including profiles of today's superstars, inspiring articles, and updates on major competitions like the Olympics and NCAA Championships. Several past issues may be viewed for free. Other topics include issue previews and a coach's resource guide.
http://www.insidegymnastics.com/
The IGC is a well-known residential camp in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. The camp offers a unique experience for gymnasts of all levels, from beginners to elite athletes. It provides a variety of programs designed to enrich campers' love for gymnastics, develop social skills, and foster lasting relationships. The camp offers both week-long and mini-camps. The facilities include multiple gyms, a 200-foot waterslide, and arts and crafts areas.
https://internationalgymnastics.com/
National Gymnastics Association
The NGA is a non-profit organization founded to provide competitive gymnastics in a simplified format with unified rules and deductions. It intends to provide a positive and healthy competitive program for gymnastics that focuses on inclusion, wellness, and education. Membership types, governance, rules and regulations, NGA competitions, competition sanctions and forms, NGO logo branding, NGA official merchandise, travel services, and sponsorships are highlighted.
https://nationalgym.org/
USAG is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. It sets the domestic rules and policies that govern the sport, promotes and develops gymnastics on the grassroots and national levels, and serves as a resource center for members, clubs, fans, and gymnasts. The USAG also selects and trains the United States national teams for the Olympic Games and World Championships. Its disciplines, schedules, events, member services, and a classified section are included.
https://usagym.org/
