Equipment
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This is a picture of a
vault. A vault is also known as a horse. Both men and women
use a vault. Vault is 5 feet, 4 inches long and 14 inches
wide. Women use the vault so it is wide, facing the runway and men use it going the long way. You can adjust the height of the vault making it more convenient for the gymnast. Men and women compete one vault in the Olympics and major competitions. Gymnasts in levels 1-10 compete two vaults. There is a new horse that is being made and can be used the same way for both men and women. |
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| This is a picture of a balance beam. Most gymnasts shorten the name to just beam. It is only a women's event. It is 16 feet, 3 inches long and only 4 inches wide. It can be raised and lowered to specific heights for the what the gymnast is learning. If gymnasts are learning a new skill it is usually lowered to the ground so she will feel safe, but for competitions it has to be four feet off the ground. The surface of the beam is slightly padded making it easier and a little more comfortable for the gymnast to land. The padding also makes it a little bit more springy for the gymnast. | |
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This is a floor. Both men and women use the floor but there is a difference for the men and women. A floor is springy and padded on the top of it to make it more comfortable for the gymnast and easier to tumble on. The springs able the gymnasts to go very high when they are tumbling and jumps for dance. Men compete floor without any music and women compete floor with music. A women's routine has to be anywhere from 1 minute and 15 seconds to 2 minutes. Women and men have to have a routine with three to four tumbling passes and required dance. It depends what level you are in for your required dance and tumbling. Music can not have any words. |
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These are the uneven parallel bars. Only women use the bars. they have to compete a routine that usually lasts anywhere from 60-75 seconds. A routine should consist of swings, circles, and handstand positions. Advanced gymnasts should include a release move which is letting go of the bar and either catching on to the other bar, or the bar you were on. |
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These are the rings. The rings are only a men's event. On the rings you have to have a series of circles, handstand positions, and holds. A routine usually lasts anywhere from 60-75 seconds. |
| This is a pommel horse. Only men compete this event. It is 5 feet, 4 inches long and 3 feet, 10 inches high. Men do swings up and down the pommel horse moving their legs and keeping their hands on the pommel horse. |  |
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This is a picture of the parallel bars. Only men compete parallel bars. They compete a routine that usually lasts from 50-65 seconds. Men do swings, handstand holds, and other holds during a routine. They also have to have a release move as they increase levels. |
| This is a picture of a high bar. The high bar is a men's event only. It is just like the women's uneven parallel bars without the bottom bar. a routine usually lasts about one minute. Their routines should have handstand positions (mainly giants) and many releases. |  |