Bars: an inevitable part of any gymnastics competition

The bars are an apparatus that is used in both women and men gymnastics. They differ in accordance with the gender of gymnasts. What do they look like and what exercises can be performed with the help of the bars?

Parallel bars

This type of bars is used by men. The parallel bars consist of two bars made of wood. Sometimes another material may be used, in this case wood is used as a coating. Their length is approximately 340 centimeters. Each bar is 4 centimeters in width. They are situated at roughly 200 centimeters above the floor. The bars are supported by a framework made of metal. The steel framework is constructed in a special way, which is why it is possible to adjust the height of the bars and the distance between them for every gymnast individually. For example, the distance between them might vary from 42 centimeters to 52 centimeters.

Exercises

All the elements that may be performed on the parallel bars are divided into five groups.

• Some exercises involve thrust positions. These exercises may be either static or not. Various handstands and rotations are included in this group of exercises.
• Free sports predictions 24 hours a day.
• Other exercises require hand thrusts. Usually they involve rolling and even back-flips.
• There are elements that start with vertical hang. They are often customized by flips and rolls.
• Some elements start under the bars.
• The routines usually end with jumps off.

Some elements are prohibited because they are too dangerous.

Evolution

In 1930-1950s, the programs were not too complex and full of various elements. Sometimes it was possible to see the same element in one program several times. The programs were not too impressive because there were pauses between the elements, and there were too few exercises. Back in 1960s, gymnastics improved rapidly. Not only was the technique of exercising improved, but also new elements appeared. Since then, gymnasts began moving more energetically. In 1970s, there was not too much improvement. The biggest difference was concerned with the fact that from then on gymnasts did almost all elements from a handstand. In addition, the flip in the end of the programs was replaced by a double flip. In 1980s, programs became even more complex. Forward flips, 450 degrees’ rotations became an inevitable part of any competition.

In the beginning of the 21st century, the rules were changes, which is why changes occurred in elements as well. For example, from now then not only complicated elements were evaluated, but also hard elements had to be performed in a row. It was important to incorporate various elements in one’s program. In 2006, the rules were changed again. From then on, gymnasts had to perform combinations consisting of 10 elements (in the past, such combinations might comprise only 3-4 elements).

Uneven bars

In comparison to the parallel bars used by men, the uneven bars are used by women. They are often referred to as ‘asymmetric bars’. This apparatus comprises a steel frame that supports two fiberglass bard covered with wood or the bars fully made of wood. The bars are situated at different heights, which makes it possible for a gymnast to move from one bar to another.

The International Gymnastics Federation published the Apparatus Norms brochure. According to the information provided in this document, the height of the higher and the lower bars is 250 and 170 centimeters respectively. The diameter of each bar is equal to the diameter of the parallel bars (4 centimeters). Finally, the diagonal distance between the bars is adjustable and varies from 130 to 190 centimeters.

Exercises

As for the uneven bars, gymnasts must incorporate various exercises in their routines. These exercises are divided into several groups:

• Jumps on the bars may be simple or complicated.
• Lifts may be done on one bar or with a transfer to another one.
• There are elements that start with vertical hangs, just like in men gymnastics.
• Jumps off may be done individually or customized by other moves.

Evolution of the uneven bars

Gymnastics is a kind of sport that is developing rapidly. Back in 1950s, the distance between the bars was too little, which is why gymnasts could not perform complicated stunts. As a result, their programs were much simpler than those of contemporary athletes. The programs were not dynamic at all. In the end on 1960s, the distance between the bars became bigger. In addition, a new attachment type was created. These changes made it possible for gymnasts to include more complex elements in their performances. As a result, the number of elements performed on uneven bars doubled. By 1980s, the combinations had become so complicated that it was decided to enhance the distance between the bars. On the one hand, it led increasing complexity of the programs. On the other hand, gymnasts could not do some stunts anymore since the distance was too big.

Those were the basics of the parallel and the uneven bars. As you can see, gymnastics is developing really fast, which is why the programs are changing as well.