Artistic gymnastics equipment

Have you ever wondered what equipment your gymnast is using while practicing? Olympic.org is where all the equipment used is listed, and how each piece is used.

Still rings-

Two parallel rings 50cm apart, suspended from a cable and straps. One ring in each hand, for a series of exercises in men’s artistic gymnastics. This particularly requires stillness of the body. They are also called the “rings”.

Uneven bars-

An apparatus used in women’s artistic gymnastics. They have a top bar that is 2.4m above the floor, and a lower bar 1.6m above the floor. They are used for a series of grip changes, releases, new grasps and other complex moves.

High bar-

A bar standing 2.75 meters high, used in men’s artistic gymnastics; also called the “horizontal bar”.

Parallel bars(artistic)-

An apparatus consisting of two wooden dowels on uprights, adjustable in height and used for swinging, vaulting and balancing exercises.

Pommel horse-

A solid apparatus 115 centimeters high with two handles, or pommels, on top that men in artistic gymnastics use for a series of maneuvers. Defined by complex hand placements, and body positions, while holding themselves above the apparatus.

Plane-


An imaginary surface where moves are performed, i.e. lateral, frontal, horizontal or diagonal.

Diagonal Plane-

An imaginary surface at less than a 90-degree angle to the floor, where moves are performed.

Horizontal plane-

An imaginary surface, level with the ground, where moves are performed.

Lateral plane-

An imaginary surface to the side of, and parallel to, the body, where moves are performed.

Safety platform-

A large, thick mat that sits on the floor at each end of the trampoline to cushion the impact if anyone falls.

Vault-

A solid apparatus similar to the pommel horse, but lacking handles, and used in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics for a variety of handsprings from a running approach.

Beatboard-

The springboard used in the men’s and women’s vault.

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