Gymnasts use a wide range of equipment and apparatus in training and competition. The International Gymnastics Federation, FIG, has set specifications for competition standard equipment. Women compete on four pieces of equipment, while men perform on six. Most other gymnastics disciplines simply use variations the floor area or hand-held equipment.
Floor
The floor is the most used piece of equipment in gymnastics. Competition gymnastics floors measure 39 feet by 39 feet and have a sprung base, foam matting and carpet top layer. The gymnast performs her dynamic tumbling elements from corner to corner of the floor. Dance, spins and leaps are added using the whole floor area. Acrobatic gymnasts and cheerleaders use the same floor equipment, while rhythmic gymnasts opt for a 42.5 feet by 42.5 feet smooth low-friction carpet laid on top of a sprung subbase.
Beam And Vault
The beam used in women's artistic gymnastics is 16.4 feet long by 5 inches wide and supported by a two-legged base. FIG competition standard beams are covered in a smooth, suedette material and made to absorb the impact of jumps and leaps performed by the gymnast. The vault is a flat, shock-absorbing, cushioned table used to perform aerial skills. The surface is about 3 feet by 3 feet and varies in height for men and women. A vaulting board is used in conjunction with the table to assist in takeoff for skills.
Bars
Artistic gymnastics includes three bar events. Women perform routines on the uneven bars and men use the high bar and parallel bars. The uneven and parallel bars consist of a steel frame and a wood-covered fiberglass bar. The high bar is made from steel, and constructed the same as the uneven bars using steel posts and cables. Gymnasts perform sequences of giant swings, handstands and releases in all three events.
Pommel And Rings
Only male gymnasts compete on the pommel and rings due to the intense strength required for both events. The pommel is a similar structure to the vault, made from a metal body covered with foam rubber and leather with additional handles--the pommels--that the gymnast grips as he performs on the apparatus. The rings consist of two wood or synthetic rings suspended by cables from a metal frame. The FIG states the frame must be a minimum of 19 feet high and the cables are attached 1.6 feet apart. The cables allow movement in all directions and the gymnast must use strength to control the movement of the equipment while performing swings and static holds.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Equipment
Rhythmic gymnasts use five pieces of hand-held equipment. Instead on performing on the equipment, she performs her routine with the equipment, choosing to use the rope, hoop, ball, clubs or ribbon. Young rhythmic gymnasts also compete using just the floor area in early levels of the discipline.
Safety Equipment
Safety mats assist when learning new skills in all disciplines. Landing mats surround the apparatus to ensure a safe landing area. Both are commonly made from layered foam and absorb the impact of high-level skills, and can vary in density. Gymnastics equipment manufacturers design and sell a large variety of equipment to assist in practicing gymnastics safely.
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