Gymnastics Training Bars With Extensions

Many gymnasts begin training very young. It is important to have training equipment scaled for the younger athletes. Gymnastic training bars are available with extension kits that allow you to scale the equipment up for growing athletes. Basic training bars allow novice gymnasts to practice basic static positions and rudimentary drills for the high bar, uneven bars and parallel bars.

Training Bar Dimensions

Gymnastic training bars intended for home use vary in size. A typical arrangement is two adjustable uprights supporting a single bar of a single length. The miniature high bar sold at matsmatsmats.com is adjustable for height of 38 to 58 inches. The Beam Store offers a mini bar with a height adjustable from 40 to 60 inches. The bar diameter is typically 1.5 inches to accommodate the smaller hands of junior gymnasts.

Dimensions with Extensions

The Beam Store bar comes with height extensions that increase it to a 96-inch height. Training bars from other manufacturers can be extended with third-party kits. Extensions will give you more leg clearance in exercises requiring a full hang from the bar, particularly if you are a growing young athlete. The additional height can also accommodate the attachment of gymnastics rings. Some explosion exercises, such as kips or hip circles, may require bolting the training bar to the floor.

Exercises Possibilities with Bars

You can use a bar to practice basic skills that require upper body strength. Pullup exercises provide a starting point. You can also perform front and back lever exercises, in which you grip the bar and hold your body parallel to the floor. Other static exercises include l-sits, in which your hang vertically from the bar and hold your legs parallel to the floor, challenging the strength of your core. L-sits can progress to hanging leg lifts for a dynamic component to your core training.

Exercise Possibilities with Rings Mounted to Bar

Mounting rings to the bar allows you to perform many of the same exercises you can do just with the bar. The addition of the rings, however, increases the stability demands of any movement . Pullups performed on rings can reduce the stress on your elbows as the rings rotate to a more natural angle. Rings enable exercises such as dips, in which you support yourself between the rings, dip down until your hands are even with the rings, and press yourself back upright.