The World of Gymnastics

When kids walk into their first day of gymnastics you never know what they may wear. I have seen children come into the gym for class wearing things that not only make you laugh inside, but attire that makes it impossible for them to participate.

When it comes to gymnastics here are some things you shouldn’t wear to class. Do not wear jeans. You can’t move well in jeans, plus they have buttons and zippers that will scratch and chip the gymnastics equipment. Loose baggy shirts are also a no no. They can be dangerous because the gymnast could get caught up in the loose tee-shirt while tumbling. It is also very dangerous for the coach if they are spotting gymnasts with loose clothing. My co-worker spotted a gymnast on a back handspring and her finger got twisted in the gymnast’s baggy tee shirt which broke her finger in three places.

Don’t wear socks, they make you slip. All jewelry (except stud earrings) should not be worn. Believe me; getting a hoop earring caught and ripped out is not fun! If you are allowed to wear shorts at your gym make sure they are fitted and PLEASE wear undies under them! Way too many times my teenaged gymnast forgot to (or just chose not to) wear undies, and that is not a pretty sight. Another thing young children seem to wear are tights and skirts. These both are prohibited. It is very hard for a coach to spot a gymnast who is wearing a skirt or tights; this makes it is very slippery and it gets in the way of both, the gymnast and coach. Do not leave your hair down. Not only will your hair dangle in your face and get annoying but it can also be dangerous. If your hair is down it can get yanked out by your own hands while tumbling. Or even worse I have heard of girls getting their hair stuck in the trampoline springs, ouch!! Make sure you use only a ponytail holder in your hair. If you wear clips they will break and poke you when you do skills such as backward rolls, handstand forward rolls or even dive rolls.

If you follow these few simple attire rules you will be a much safer gymnast!

All about Women’s Gymnastics Balance Beam

In women’s gymnastics there are four apparatuses; the balance beam, vault table, floor exercise, and the uneven bars. Each of theses apparatuses have a different criteria and specific guidelines.

Women’s gymnastics balance beam is a very hard apparatus that is only used and competed by women. The balance beam takes a lot of concentration, balance and courage. The beam is a piece of equipment that is raised off the floor and is covered by tan leather to keep the gymnasts from slipping. The beam is sixteen feet four inches long and a mere four inches wide. Each gymnast is required to perform a routine on the beam without falling off. Beam is extremely hard because if a gymnast pauses in the slightest way during her routine the judges will deduct points from her score.

If a gymnast is at a compulsory level they have a specific choreographed routine they must compete. Every gymnast in America based on their level, will also compete the same exact routine (yes this does get a little boring if you are a coach or a judge). If the gymnast is an optional level they have their very own choreographed routine. Each women’s gymnastics balance beam routine has a specific time limit depending on the gymnast’s level. If the gymnast does not complete their routine within the time limit, they get a .10 deduction whether they go one second over or sixty seconds over. Every women’s gymnastic beam routine starts with a mount and ends with a dismount. Each beam routine is not performed to music but to silence, that way the gymnast can focus staying on the beam. Women’s gymnastics balance beam routines not only consist of many gymnastics skills but also a great amount of gymnastics dance.

Another important thing to know about beam is you may use a panel mat or spring board to mount if the beam is too high. The mat or spring board must be moved as soon as the gymnast mounts the beam or the gymnast will receive a deduction. On a score sheet women’s gymnastics balance beam is represented by the capital letters BB.