Characteristics of a gymnast
rhythmic gymnastics ribbon
Rhythmic gymnasts master movements such as jumps, rotations, balances, and push-ups.
Compared to other sports disciplines, rhythmic gymnastics practitioners lead short and demanding sports lives starting at an early age. In general, they have fast and robust bodies, ideal for the symmetry of movement and combining three virtual instances: the beauty of the activities, mastery over the apparatus and musical coordination.
In general, rhythmic gymnasts are expected to master a set of movements, such as:
Jumps. They are movements in which the gymnast acquires a specific flight, holding artistic poses similar to ballet and dance. These jumps must always be in coordination with the apparatus used.
Rotations. They are turns made on the body axis, leaning on points or some part of the body, to achieve at least a 360 ° movement. During the turn, the gymnast must maintain a graceful and robust body, often holding the rest of the limbs in the air.
Balances. They are postures the gymnast holds for a few seconds, usually on one leg, either on pointe, half pointe or flat foot, coordinating the body posture with the apparatus in use. One can speak of passé, grand écart, and arabesque, depending on the figure held.
Push-ups. They are body movements that test flexibility and body coordination, performed on the support of a foot or any other body part.
Most important rhythmic gymnastics competitions
rhythmic gymnastics hoop
The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships have been held since 1963.
The most outstanding competitions in rhythmic gymnastics are the following:
The International Olympic Committee organized the International Olympic Games held every four years.
The World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, organized annually by the International Gymnastics Federation since 1963 (except in Olympic years).
The European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, organized annually since 1978 by the European Gymnastics Union (UEG).
The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, organized by the International Gymnastics Federation since 1983, is biannual.
Other types of gymnastics
In addition to rhythmic gymnastics, there are other gymnastic disciplines, such as:
General gymnastics. Also known as “gymnastics for all”, it is the only non-competitive gymnastic discipline; that is, it is performed for the pure enjoyment of exercise and physical well-being. People of all ages can participate, and it consists of executing movements in a synchronized manner, generally in groups of between 6 and 15 gymnasts.
Artistic gymnastics. It is an Olympic discipline that performs high-speed and demanding choreographies through body movements performed on different gymnastic devices, such as the rack, bar, and rings.
Aerobic gymnastics. Also known as “sports aerobics”, it is a gymnastic discipline that consists of executing different sequences of high-intensity movements derived from traditional aerobics in a minute or a minute and a half.
Trampoline gymnastics. It is an acrobatic gymnastic discipline which uses trampolines and other elastic devices so that the athlete can perform different jumps, pirouettes and body exercises.
Acrobatic gymnastics. Also known as “acrosport”, it is a group gymnastic discipline (in duets, trios, quartets or more) in whose collaborative practice the body of one athlete serves as an instrument for another and vice versa, to perform human pyramids, jumps figures and choreographies.
