USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics, says the number one reason to enroll kids in gymnastics is because it's fun. Parents don't have to worry about age restrictions. Children can start gymnastics as soon as they begin to walk. They can pursue the sport simply for exercise and social reasons, or they can get more serious and go into competitions that could one day land them a spot in the Olympic Games.
USA Gymnastics
The U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation have designated USA Gymnastics as the sole national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the U.S. The organization claims more than 110,000 athletes and professionals as members. It selects and trains competitors for the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships, and it serves as a resource center for athletes, fans and gymnastics clubs across the country. The rules it sets for competitions are posted on the organization's website.
Levels
Gymnasts compete at 10 levels before attaining elite status, with each level building on skills attained in the previous level. The first four levels are considered developmental levels and are generally non-competitive. Rules differ slightly for men and women, but the middle levels feature compulsory competitions, where athletes perform a set routine. In the upper levels, called optionals, gymnasts are given more freedom to choose the skills they want to showcase, though certain skills and difficulty levels may be required.
Events
Artistic gymnastics are showcased at the Olympics every four years. Women can compete in four events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. Men can participate in six events: floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. Both men and women can compete in four trampoline and tumbling events, which are newer in gymnastics competitions. Trampoline didn't make its debut as an Olympic sport until 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Rhythmic gymnastics are choreographed to music and make use of a rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Acrobatic gymnastics combine dance, gymnastics and synchronization in pair and group competitions.
Teams
Gymnasts can compete in a number of ways. Many gymnasts get their start in local clubs and compete at regional and state-level meets. Gymnasts may also pursue competition through high school and college teams. Athletes at the elite levels may try to compete for a spot on the national team that represents the U.S. at the Olympics and in World Championships. International competitions are run by the International Gymnastics Federation. Gymnasts compete for individual and team honors.
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