Informative sport articles
Articles on all sports and sports equipment items and more
Featured Articles
    The Importance of Fitness
Gymnastics
    Books & Video
    Clothing
    Equipment
    Hats & Headwear
    Novelties & Gifts
    Other Gymnastics
Airsoft
    BBs
    Clothing & Protective Gear
    Guns
    Accessories
    Other Airsoft
Archery
    Arrows
    Books & Video
    Bows
    Clothing & Protective Gear
    Accessories
    Vintage
    Other Archery Items
Baseball and Softball
    Balls
    Bats
    Books & Video
    Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
    Equipment Bags
    Training Aids
    Accessories
    Vintage
    Other Baseball & Softball
Basketball
    Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
    Backboard Systems
    Balls
    Rims & Nets
    Training Aids
    Other Basketball
Billiards
    Pool Accessories

Gymnastics

Equipment

Equipment Article

To the Ancient Greeks, physical fitness was paramount, and all Greek cities had a gymnasia, a courtyard for jumping, running, and wrestling. As the Roman Empire ascended, Greek gymnastics gave way to military training. The Romans, for example, introduced the wooden horse. In 393 AD the Emperor Theodosius abolished the Olympic Games, which by then had become corrupt, and gymnastics, along with other sports declined. Later, Christianity, with its medieval belief in the base nature of the human body, had a deleterious effect on gymnastics. For centuries, gymnastics was all but forgotten.[1]

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, however, two pioneer physical educators . Johann Friedrich GutsMuth (1759 . 1839) and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778 . 1852) - created exercises for boys and young men on apparatus they designed that ultimately led to what is considered modern gymnastics. In particular, Jahn crafted early models of the horizontal bar, the parallel bars (from a horizontal ladder with the rungs removed), and the vaulting horse.[1]

By the end of the nineteenth century, men's gymnastics competition was popular enough to be included in the first "modern" Olympic Games in 1896. However, from then, and up until the early 1950s, both national and international competitions involved a changing variety of exercises gathered under the rubric gymnastics that would seem strange to today's audiences: synchronized team floor calisthenics, rope climbing, high jumping, running, horizontal ladder, etc. During the 1920s, women organized and participated in gymnastics events, and the first women's Olympic competition . primitive, for it involved only synchronized calisthenics - was held at the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.

By the 1954 Olympic Games apparatus and events for both men and women had been standardized in modern format, and uniform grading structures (including a point system from 1 to 10) had been agreed upon. At this time, Soviet gymnasts astounded the world with highly disciplined and difficult performances, setting a precedent that continues to inspire. The new medium of television helped publicize and initiate a modern age of gymnastics. Both men's and women's gymnastics now attract considerable international interest, and excellent gymnasts can be found on every continent.

Nadia Comaneci received the first perfect score, at the 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal, Canada. She was coached by the famous Romanian, Bela Karolyi. According to Sports Illustrated, Comaneci scored four of her perfect tens on the uneven bars, two on the balance beam and one in the floor exercise. Unfortunately, even with Nadia's perfect scores, the Romanians lost the gold medal to the Soviets. Nadia will always be remembered as "a fourteen year old, ponytailed little girl" who showed the world that perfection could be achieved.

In 2006, a new points system was put into play. Instead of being marked 1 to 10, the gymnast's start value depends on the difficulty rating of the exercise routine. Also, the deductions became higher: before the new point system developed, the deduction for a fall was 0.5, and now it is 0.8. The motivation for a new point system was to decrease the chance of gymnasts getting a perfect score.

Equipment Items

1 2 3 4

Search:  
6'x2"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 2" high
$94.50
Gymnastics Folding Training Low Beam
$69.00
AAI Hand Chalk 1lb Gymnastics Chalk American Athletic
$9.99
New 8 ft Suede Purple Balance Beam and Pink Folding Mat
$237.99
GYMNASTICS TRAINING MAT & BAR COMBO
$478.00
GYMNASTICS FLEXI-ROLL ROLLABLE TRAINING BEAM, 6" WIDE!
$38.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4X8x1-3/8" BRIGHT PASTEL
$168.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING MINI HIGH BAR
$358.00
8'x4"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 4" high
$159.00
Mini High Bar with 4'x8'x2" Folding Mat and Ext. Legs
$545.99
Folding Gymnastic Incline Mat Wedge Block 24x48x14 Firm
$145.99
Ausi Bed Trampoline
$1800.00
Dry Grip 6oz NO SWEATY HANDS DURING YOUR ROUTINE
$9.00
Gymnastics Folding Training Low Beam
$41.51
Tac 10 American Athletic Foam Balance Beam Gymnastic
$120.00
GMR GYMNASTICS The MUSHROOM BY GMR DELIVERY $99
$299.99
US Glove Tiger Paws Gymnastics Wrist Support (Sand)
$39.30
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4x6x1-3/8" RAINBOW COLOR
$148.00
10'x5'x1 3/8" Dollamur Flexi-Roll Gymnastics Mat
$135.00
Gymnastics Book: Gymnast Journal Scores, Goals, Dreams
$14.00
New 8 ft Suede Tan Low Profile Balance Beam
$114.99
6'x2"x4" Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, Vinyl, 2" high
$94.50
Spring Board
$150.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5X10X2" BRIGHT PASTEL RAINBOW
$298.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4x8x1-3/8" RAINBOW COLOR
$168.00
Rings Gymnastic Crossfit Fitness Training
$19.50
~Pink Polka Dot ~ 8 ft Suede Gymnastics Balance Beam
$114.99
Tiger Paw Gymnastics Handgrips
$20.00
Rosin Powder, 4 Oz. Shaker
$8.90
GYMNASTICS LOW SUEDE BEAM 8 FT WITH STEEL LEGS!
$258.00
GYMNASTICS JUNIOR TRAINING BAR FOR GYM AND HOME USE
$282.00
Gymnastics Folding Training Low Beam
$69.00
8'x2"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 2" high
$119.50
2"x4'x8' MAT for 60" ADJUSTABLE GYMNASTICS BAR
$217.00
Dry Grip 6oz NO SWEATY HANDS DURING YOUR ROUTINE
$9.00
Port-a-Pit
$600.00
8ft.--RoYaL bLuE---gymnastics FOLDING Balance Beam
$99.99
Guidecraft Balance Beam Kids Solid 1 Pc. Wood Beam NEW
$87.25
Purple 8 ft Low Profile Suede Balance Beam
$114.99
-18" HIGH- New 8 ft Suede Tan Gymnastics Balance Beam
$269.99
GYMNASTICS MINI TRAINING HIGH BAR & MAT COMBO
$468.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR bars horizontal with FLOOR MAT
$363.00
Nastia Liukin Jr. Training Bar for Gymnastics by AAI
$450.00
AAI Cartwheel / Beam Gymnastic Exercise Tumbling Mat
$5.50
Stickum Grip Powder, athletic adhesive
$7.25
Children's Gymnastics Cartwheel / Beam Training Mat
$33.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR 60" horizontal mini bars WHITE
$266.00
Carpet Bonded Foam
$450.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5x10x2", HOME & GYM USE!
$178.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR practice horizontal mini bars
$228.00
NEW Professional Athletics Bi-Fold Landing Mat 4'x6'x8"
$225.00
Trampoline 7' x 14 ' non folding frame
$3250.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4X8X2" BRIGHT PASTEL RAINBOW
$178.00
Reisport Grips - Velcro Straps
$42.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4x6x2", HOME & GYM USE!
$118.00
Vintage Sports Décor Laminated Wooden Gymnastics Rings
$69.00
New 8 ft Suede Tan Balance Beam and Folding Mat
$237.99
Nastia Liukin Foam Balance Beam AAI Gymnastic Pink
$110.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING HORIZONTAL BAR, THE JR. KIP BAR
$428.00
GYMNASTICS JUNIOR TRAINING BAR FOR GYM AND HOME USE
$200.00
GYMNASTICS GYMNAST PERSONALIZED BAG BACKPACK
$17.99
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR practice horizontal mini bars
$187.00
Children's Gymnastics Cartwheel / Beam Training Mat
$33.00
2"x3'x8' MAT for 48" ADJUSTABLE GYMNASTICS BAR
$176.00
Tumbling Incline - Great for Beginner
$75.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4X8X1-3/8", HOME &GYM USE!
$148.00
Tumble Track Trampoline
$3600.00
gymnastic grips in GREAT CONDITION
$10.00
Gymnastics AAI Adjustable Padded Tumbling Belt
$279.00
Dry Grip 6oz NO SWEATY HANDS DURING YOUR ROUTINE
$9.00
Dry Grip 6oz NO SWEATY HANDS DURING YOUR ROUTINE
$9.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5x10x2", HOME & GYM USE!
$178.00
Mini High Bar with 4'x8'x2" Folding Mat and Ext. Legs
$545.99
Purple 8 ft Low Profile Suede Balance Beam
$114.99
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5X10x1-3/8" RAINBOW COLOR
$248.00
4'x2"x4" Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, Vinyl, 2" high
$89.50
GYMNASTICS TRAINING DOWNHILL INCLINE MAT, 3'X6'X16"
$208.00
GYMNASTICS MINI TRAINING HIGH BAR WITH WOOD RAIL
$348.00
CHEERLEADING FLEXI-ROLL TUMBLING MAT 4X6X1 3/8
$105.00
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR bars horizontal with FLOOR MAT
$445.00
PVC Gymnastic Rings Crossfit Fitness Training
$28.50
Port-a-Pit
$600.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5X10x1-3/8" BRIGHT PASTEL
$248.00
New LaGurro Gymnastics Grips With Free Grip Bag
$7.95
~ PINK ~ 8 ft Suede Gymnastics Balance Beam
$114.99
8'x2"x4" Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, Vinyl, 2" high
$106.50
GYMNASTICS TRAINING BAR horizontal mini bars WHITE
$208.00
6'x4"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 4" high
$129.50
4'x4"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 4" high
$109.50
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4X6x1-3/8" BRIGHT PASTEL
$148.00
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 5x10x2", HOME & GYM USE!
$178.00
Pink Suede 8 ft FOLDING Balance Beam
$99.99
Synthetic SUEDE Gymnastics Balance Beam Fabric - 9 ft.
$49.50
GYMNASTICS TUMBLING MAT, 4X8X2", HOME &GYM USE!
$138.00
6'x4'x2" Dollamur Flexi-Roll Gymnastics Mat 2" Thick
$88.00
mini Tramp
$175.00
New Suede 8 ft Tan FOLDING Balance Beam
$99.99
4'x2"x4" Suede Beam Gymnastics Floor Balance, 2" high
$89.50
Nastia Liukin 8' Balance Beam AAI Gymnastic Pink
$215.00