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When we hear about gymnastics, we traditionally think about gymnasts flipping around on the bars, beam, vault, and floor while doing acrobats that seem impossible to the average person. But have you heard about the elegant and acrobatic sport, Rhythmic Gymnastics?
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines the art of gymnastics coupled with dance along with the artistic and skillful use of hand-held apparatuses including a ball, hoop, ribbon, clubs, or rope.
Rhythmic Gymnastics was officially recognized for the first time as Modern Gymnastics in 1961, it later became and has remained known as Rhythmic Gymnastics. The first World Championship for the sport was held in 1963 and was added to the Olympic competitions in 1984 as an individual sport. In the 1996 Summer Olympics, a group competition category was added.
As of 2007, rhythmic gymnastics remains a sport primarily participated in by women. However, recently, some countries have developed a male-based interest in the sport. Whether performing as an individual or a group, gymnasts must utilize one or more hand-held apparatuses used in the sport. Competitors combine various elements of gymnastics and dance while simultaneously manipulating an apparatus.
Rhythmic gymnast competitors are scored based on a twenty- point scoring system. The scoring system has changed since its initial inception, which began as a ten-point scoring system much like artistic gymnastics. Though the scoring system is always subject to change at the discretion of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the international governing body of the sport, they adapted the twenty-point scoring system in 2005. The primary values in the scoring system are based on three elements of the routine – technical, artistic, and execution.
During competition, a rhythmic gymnast may perform any combination of dance moves with gymnastics. The gymnasts are scored on their execution of specific moves and their ability to handle their chosen apparatus using their creative and artistic expression. As with other competitive sports that use music such as figure skating, their routines must be carefully choreographed and practiced an indefinite number of times to achieve a level of perfection. Much like competitive gymnasts, participants in rhythmic gymnastics typically start at a very young age. Many begin the sport after being introduced to gymnastics but may also develop an interest because of dance.
IGM Gymnastics is one of a very few gymnastics training centers that offer Rhythmic Gymnastics classes. If your daughter has an interest in dance elements and likes the excitement of gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics just might be the perfect sport for her. Feel free to bring her to a FREE Trial Class to see if Rhythmic Gymnastics would be a good fit for her. Click the button below to schedule her Trial Class. We can't wait to see you at the gym!
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