Gymnastic classes are an excellent way for your child to express themselves and get regular exercise at the same time. If you recently began taking your child to a gymnastics center, you may be interested in learning more about the technicalities of the sport. The guide below explains some of the vocabulary words your budding gymnast may now be using.

What Are Common Terms in Gymnastics?

1. Balance Beam

Also called “beam,” the balance beam is a standard piece of equipment used in gymnastics classes and competitive events. Students perform feats of flexibility and balance on these narrow perches. Those used in competition are a standard height of around four feet, but they can be lowered closer to the ground in beginner classes or for home practice.

2. Bar

There are many types of bars in competitive gymnastics. Female gymnasts who compete in artistic gymnastics use the uneven bars, which are two parallel bars of differing heights. Male gymnasts typically use the horizontal bar, also known as the high bar, and the parallel bars. These bars allow the gymnast to show off their swinging skills, grips, and dismounts. 

3. Floor

Also called “floor exercise,” the floor event allows gymnasts to perform dance and tumbling routines. It’s named for the apparatus used, a springy surface around 40 feet square. Floor routines might include jumps, leaps, turns, and flourishes like handsprings and flips. 

4. Vault

The vault uses several pieces of gymnastics equipment. First, a gymnast runs down a runway of about 80 feet. The gymnast jumps onto a springboard at the end of the runway, launches over the vault by touching it with their hands, and lands on the other side of the vaulting table. The vault event takes speed, grace, strength, and a skilled landing. 

5. All-Around

All-Around is a comprehensive score in competitive gymnastics. Women and girls typically compete in four individual gymnastics events: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor. Men and boys compete in six: vault, parallel bars, horizontal bar, rings, pommel, and floor. The total score of these four or six events makes up their all-around score.  

Gymnastic classes at IMPACT Gymnastics Academy can help children and teens learn the skills they need for competitive gymnastics and tumbling. Based in Phoenix, AZ, this center provides Olympic-class coaching and grants access to state-of-the-art equipment to gymnasts of all ages. Call (602) 870-7574 to learn about free trial classes or visit their website for more information.