Gymnasts use a wide range of equipment and apparatus across all the main gymnastics disciplines. In artistic gymnastics, women compete on four pieces of equipment, while men perform on six. Acrobatic gymnasts simply use the floor area and each other to perform their skills and rhythmic gymnasts use a variety of hand-held equipment. In each of the disciplines, the International Gymnastics Federation, or FIG, has set specifications for competition-standard equipment.
Floor Area
The floor is the most used piece of equipment in all forms of gymnastics. In artistic and acrobatic gymnastics, the competition floor measures 39 feet by 39 feet and has a sprung base and foam matting with a carpet top layer. Acrobatic gymnasts perform in pairs and groups on the floor, filling the area with group balances, dynamic skills, tumbles and choreography. An artistic gymnast performs her tumbles from corner to corner and adds dance and spins between. Rhythmic gymnasts use a larger, 42.5 feet by 42.5 feet smooth low-friction carpet laid on top of a base, which allows more control for their catches and spins.
Women's Artistic Equipment
In addition to the floor, women perform on three different pieces of equipment. The beam, which is 16.4 feet long by 5 inches wide, tests a gymnast’s balance. 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 fast aerial skills. The surface is about 3 feet by 3 feet and a vaulting board is used in conjunction with the table to assist in takeoff for skills. Women use the uneven bars, made from a steel frame and fiberglass bar, to perform sequences of swings, turns and releases.
Men's Artistic Equipment
There are two bar events in men's artistic gymnastics. Like the uneven bar for women, the parallel bars consist of a steel frame and a wood-covered fiberglass bar. The bars are placed side by side and the gymnast performs his skills in the center. The high bar is made from steel and the gymnast demonstrates giant swings, handstands and aerial skills. The pommel is a similar structure to the vault, made from a metal body covered with foam rubber and leather with handles, or pommels, which the gymnast grips as he performs on the apparatus. The rings consist of two wood or synthetic rings which the gymnast grips. The rings are suspended by free-moving cables from a metal frame.
Trampettes and Trampolines
Gymnasts use trampolines, and smaller rebound equipment such as trampettes, to learn and perfect aerial skills. The gymnast is given more time in the air to perform the skill because of the added bounce from the equipment. Both are made from strong woven fabric stretched and attached to the frame by springs, which is what provides the bounce. Most gymnasiums use competition-standard trampolines, which are rectangular and approximately 14 feet by 7 feet in size.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Equipment
A rhythmic gymnast uses a variety of hand-held equipment which she throws, spins and catches while performing dance and gymnast skills. She chooses to perform her routine with the rope, hoop, ball, clubs or ribbon. The type of throws and catches depend on the equipment used during the routine. She may also choose to wear specially adapted leather gymnastics shoes without heels to assist her in spinning on the floor.
Safety Equipment
Safety mats, pads and blocks protect the gymnast when learning new skills in all disciplines. Landing mats are placed around the apparatus to ensure a safe landing area in training and competition. Both are commonly made from layered foam, covered in PVC or leather. The mats absorb the impact of high-level skills and can vary in density depending on the purpose they serve. Gymnastics equipment manufacturers design and sell a large variety of equipment to assist in practicing gymnastics safely, from covers and rigs to hand grips and smaller versions of apparatus.
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