Dimensions for Gymnastics

Gymnastics is the name given to a series of exercises practised by men and women. Emphasis is placed on strength, dexterity and artistry. The disciplines in gymnastics recognised by the Federation International de Gymnastique (FIG) and Gymnastics Australia are artistic, rhythmic, aerobic, trampoline and acrobatic.

Related topics: gymnastics

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

For all of the gymnastic disciplines, the technical specifications are available in the FIG Apparatus Norms Guide which is available on their website at http://www.fedintgym.com/rules/.

Artistic gymnastics - men and women

In artistic gymnastics, men compete on six apparatus ─ floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. Women compete on four apparatus ─ vault, uneven bars, beam and floor.

Men and women ─ floor exercises

Floor exercises consist of various ballet and tumbling movements (including jumps, somersaults and handstands) performed without apparatus. Women’s routines are performed with musical accompaniment, men’s routines without it. The standard floor perfor ma nce area is 12m x 12m. The safety zone is a 2m zone around the performance area and the border and kept totally free.

Men ─ horizontal bars

This routine is performed on a single steel bar suspended 2.8m above the floor mat. The routine requires continuous swinging motions around the bar with frequent changes in direction and in grip. In the dismount the athlete casts himself off the bar, soars through the air an d then makes a controlled landing. The landing mat is 12m x 12m.

Men ─ parallel bars

This routine is performed on two flexible parallel rails 2m above the ground and 42cm–52cm apart from each other. The routine is a series of swinging, balancing, and airborne moves. The landing mat is 11m x 4.5m.

Men ─ pommel horse

The routine is performed on a leather-covered apparatus, in the centre of which are inserted two pommels, or handles, 40cm–45cm apart. The routine consists of a series of continuous swinging and circular motions with the torso and legs, executed as the athlete travels from one end of the horse to the other, using only his hands for support. The landing mat is 4m x 4m.

Men ─ rings

The routine is performed while grasping one wooden ring in each hand, with the rings suspended from straps and hung parallel to each other 2.8m above the floor mat. The routine combines static positions with rapid movements designed to test strength and precision. The landing mat is 5m x 2m.

Men ─ vault

This discipline involves an apparatus, known as a vault, measuring 1.2m long and 1.35m high and has no pommels. The athlete runs down a runway (maximum 25m long) toward the vault, approaching it lengthwise. He then takes off from a springboard, places both hands on the surface of the vault, then completes the flight with an acrobatic airborne manoeuvre and a controlled landing. The landing mat is 6m x 2m.

Women ─ vault

Competition arena womens gymnastics The women’s routine is the same as in the men’s event, except that the vault, similar in shape and size to that used by the men, is lowered to a height of 1.2m and is approached from the side. The landing mat is 6m x 2.5m.

Women ─ uneven bars

This routine is performed on a set of two flexible bars a maximum of 1.435m apart from each other at different heights. The upper bar is 2.5m from the floor. The lower bar, parallel to it, is between 1.7m above the floor. The routine demands continuous swinging, releasing and changing of direction over, under and between the bars with a mount and dismount. The landing mat is 14m x 2m.

Women ─ beam

The balance beam is a routine performed on a single beam 10cm wide, 5m long, and 1.2m off the ground. The routine consists of continuous tumbling moves, turns, jumps and leaps. A mount and dismount are required. The landing mat is 17m x 4m.

Following is a diagram of the competition area for artistic gymnastics for men and women. The performance area is used for rhythmic, artistic and acrobatics with different dimensions.

Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which single competitors, pairs, trios or groups perform choreographed routines while manipulating apparatus ─ ball, hoop, ribbon, clubs or ribbon. Routines are choreographed to music using elements of ballet, gymnastics and theatrical dance while handling the apparatus.

All routines are performed on a 13m square carpeted floor with a 50cm border. Overall size is 14m². There is a 2m safety zone around the floor. The carpet may be lightly padded. The outer edge of the border marking is defined as out of bounds.

As high throws occur while handling the apparatus, a minimum ceiling height of 8m is required for international competitions. A ceiling height of 10m to 12m is recommended.

Aerobic gymnastics

Aerobic gymnastics is a competitive sport that combines aerobic choreography and gymnastics elements to upbeat music. The standard performance area is 7m x 7m with a 1m safety border. The floor is parquet, laminate or synthetic.

Acrobatic gymnastics (sport acrobatics)

Acrobatic gymnastics is choreographed to music and consists of dance, tumbling and partner skills. The partner skills are divided into two categories — balance and tempo. Tempo skills all incorporate flight, such as when the base partner tosses the top for double saltos. Balance skills are static holds with the base partner supporting the top. There are five events in acrobatic gymnastics:

men’s pairs
women’s pairs
mixed pairs
women’s group (trio)
men’s group (quadruples)

Acrobatic gymnastics uses the traditional sprung floor as per artistic gymnastics and equivalent to FIG specifications. The performance area is 12m x 12m with a 2m safety zone.

Trampoline gymnastics

Trampoline gymnastics or sports has three apparatus:

individual trampoline (TRP) and synchronised trampoline (SYN)
double-mini trampoline (DMT)
tumbling (TUM)

FIG Apparatus Norms and the Code of Points for trampoline, tumbling and DMT provide the equipment specifications for each apparatus. All clubs are guided by these norms. The FIG Apparatus Norms include safety platforms (end decks) and the DMT norms make reference to the fixings that are allowed to stabilise the DMT.

End decks and spotter mats must be provided in all trampoline events. One spotter mat must be provided for each trampoline, as specified in the FIG Apparatus Norms.

Lighting

The lighting at national and international competition should be at a standard of at least 1500 lux for television but not designed in a manner to dazzle the gymnasts. Otherwise the minimum lighting standard is 300 lux for recreation and training and 500 lux for competition. This is the Australian Standard for multi-purpose indoor sports centres.

Below is a summary table of surfaces of apparatus, safety zones and total surfaces:

Discipline	Apparatus	Floor area (m)	Height of hall	Height of hall (international)
Mens artistic gymnastics	floor	18 x 18	7m	8m-10m
	pommel horse	4 x 4
	rings	6 x 6
	vaulting table	3 x 35
	uneven bars	6 x 12
	high bars	6 x 12
Womens artistic gymnastics	vaulitng table	3 x 35	6m	8m-10m
	uneven bars	6 x 13.5
	balance beam	6 x 17
	floor	18 x 18
Rhythmic gymnastics	performance area	18 x 18	8m	10m-12m
Aerobic gymnastics	performance area	18 x 18	6m	8m-10m
Trampoline gymnastics	trampoline (sync)	13 x 13	8m	10m-12m
Trampoline gymnastics	double-mini tramp	3 x 35	6m	8m-10m

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