| Gymnastics is an international sport practiced by | | | | feet down and 1.6 feet apart. The gymnast is in sole |
| many. Gymnasts train hard and prepare for their | | | | control over the movement of the rings. Swing, |
| competitions well in advance. Whether they are | | | | strength, and hold elements are used to perform the |
| young kids participating in beginner gym classes or | | | | routine.o Beam - The balance beam is performed by |
| they are experienced adults, they use flexibility, | | | | females only. It is a made of wood and covered in |
| strength, agility, balance, and coordination. When a | | | | leather. The beam's height is about 4 feet, it's length |
| well trained gymnast steps onto the mat or jumps | | | | is about 16 feet, and it's width is about 1/3 of a foot. |
| up on the beam, their focus and determination shines | | | | It sits above the ground and is used for handstands, |
| through gracefully in their routine. | | | | dance poses, walkovers, and handsprings.o Uneven |
| To help viewers understand the many skills and | | | | Bars - The uneven bars are used by females only as |
| aspects of gymnastics, I have compiled a list of the | | | | well. The bars are 4 centimeters in diameter and 8 |
| basics. These are the different apparatuses used in | | | | feet long. They are made of made of fiberglass or |
| gymnastic events.o Pommel Horse - The horse is | | | | wood. A metal frame holds them about 8 feet and 5 |
| used by men only. It is about 5ft long by 12 inches | | | | feet from the ground. The woman gymnasts |
| wide and sits 3.8ft above the floor. It is made out of | | | | perform routines swinging around the bars and |
| a metal frame, a wooden body, and a leather cover. | | | | completing circles, kips, beats, and wrap. Their |
| The horse has plastic handles on top for gymnasts to | | | | dismount is also included in their score.o Parallel Bars - |
| grasp. It is used for mounting, dismounting, | | | | The parallel bars are the male version of the uneven |
| handstands, scissors, and more.o Vault - The vault is | | | | bars. They are 11 feet in length and sit 1.5 ft apart, |
| built like the horse but used by males and females. | | | | about 6.5 feet from the ground.o High Bar - This |
| The difference is that it does not have the plastic | | | | metal bar is extended about the ground by cables |
| handles. The vault sits parallel to the run for men and | | | | and stiff vertical supports. It is used by men for a |
| perpendicular for women. The vault is considered the | | | | routine of large swings, release and re-grasps, and a |
| most dangerous event and went through some | | | | final dismount. The men are required to wear grips |
| adjustments in 2001. Now a vault table, referred to | | | | for this event.o Floor Routine - The floor is used for |
| as a tongue, is commonly used.o Rings - The rings | | | | a number of gymnastic skills, including twists, |
| are another event performed by men only. It takes | | | | handsprings, flips, cartwheels, tumbles, rolls, and |
| extreme upper body strength to master. It consists | | | | dance routines. It is typically 40 feet by 40 feet, |
| of two rings, about 7 inches in diameter, hanging 9.8 | | | | consisting of wood, springs, composite, and padding. |