Forms of gymnastics Artistic gymnastics Artistic gymnastics is divided into Men's and Women's Gymnastics. Each group does different events; Men compete on Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars, and High Bar, while women compete on Vault, Uneven Bars, Beam, and Floor Exercise. Though routines performed on each event may be short, they are physically exhausting. Nowadays, at the international level, competitions on the various apparatus consist of two different performance categories: compulsory and optional. Each country may use compulsory and optional routines as they wish. Women's events Vault In the vaulting events gymnasts: sprint down a 25 meter (about 82 feet) runway, jump onto a beatboard, (run/ take-off segment), land on the vaulting horse or vaulting table, then spring of this platform to a two footed landing. This may include one or more multiple saltos or somersaults, and/or twisting movements. In 2001, the traditional vaulting horse was replaced with a new apparatus, sometimes known as a tongue or table. Uneven Bars On the uneven bars (also known as asymmetric bars (UK), the gymnast navigates two horizontal bars set at different heights. Gymnasts perform swinging, circling, transitional, and release moves. Gymnasts often mount the Uneven Bars using a beatboard (springboard). Balance Beam The gymnast performs a choreographed routine from 60 to 80 seconds in length consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, somersaults etc. on a padded sprung beam. The event requires in particular, balance, flexibility and strength. Floor The floor event occurs on a carpeted 12m × 12m square. Female gymnasts perform a choreographed exercise 70 to 90 seconds long. In levels 7 and up, they can choose a music piece, which must be instrumental. The routines of a female gymnast consist of tumbling passes, series of jumps, dance elements, acrobatic skills, and turns. At the compulsory levels (1-6) gymnasts are judged on a scale of 10, but as they reach the higher levels, particularly levels 9 and 10. Compulsory levels of gymnastics have choreographed routines, and all women competing at that level do the same routines. In optional level competitions, however, all routines are different and have different floor music. Men's events Floor Exercise Male gymnasts also perform on a 12m. by 12m. spring floor. A series of tumbling passes are performed to demonstrate flexibility, strength, and balance. The gymnast must also show strength skills, including circles, scales, and press handstands. Men's floor routines usually have four passes that will total between 60–70 seconds and are performed without music, unlike the women's event. Pommel Horse A typical pommel horse exercise involves both single leg and double leg work. Single leg skills are generally found in the form of scissors, an element often done on the pommels. To make the double leg work exercise more challenging, gymnasts will often include variations – mores, spindles, flares. The routines is ended with a dismount, either by swinging his body over the horse, or landing after a handstand. Still Rings Still Rings is the most physically cahllanging event. The rings are suspended on wire cable off the floor, and adjusted in height. The gymnast must perform a routine demonstrating balance, strength, power, and dynamic motion while preventing the rings themselves from swinging. At least one static strength move is required. Vault Gymnasts sprint down a runway, before hurdling onto a spring board. The body position is maintained while "punching" (blocking using only a shoulder movement) the vaulting platform. The gymnast then rotates to a standing position. Parallel Bars Men perform on two bars while performing a series of swings, balances, and releases that require great strength and coordination. High Bar (Horizontal bar) A 2.4cm thick steel bar 2.5m above the landing area is what the gymnast has to hold onto as he performs giants (revolutions around the bar), release skills, twists etc. Leather grips are usually used to help maintain a grip on the bar. Further forms of gymnastics · Rhythmic gymnastics · Trampolining and Tumbling · Display gymnastics · Aerobic gymnastics (formally Sport Aerobics) · Acrobatic Gymnastics (formerly Sports Acrobatics) * TeamGym (Floor, Trampette, Tumbling)