Gymnastics is the technical basis of numerous sports. Gymnastic apparatus and equipment allow not only to hone the technique of performing individual elements, but also provide an opportunity to improve coordination of movements, increase a sense of balance, develop flexibility, endurance.
Discipline includes primarily vaulting and floor exercises. Let's look at the types of gymnastic apparatus, let's see what they are used for.
Bars
Allocate uneven and parallel bars. The former are used for exercises by gymnasts, the latter are used by male athletes.
The projectile is made in the form of two parallel poles. The length of each of them is 3.5 m. Hardwoods: beech, ash, birch are used here as materials of manufacture. To increase fracture strength, the core of the poles is reinforced with steel rods.
The telescopic design of the bars allows you to adjust their height depending on the needs of the athlete or the requirements of the competition. Women's gymnastic apparatus of this category are fixed on stretch marks.
According to generally accepted requirements, during the competition, the crossbars of the male bars are placed at a height of 1.75 m. At the same time, the upper lintel of the female projectile is located at 2.45 m from the surface of the safety mats, and the lower - at a height of 1.65 m .
Horizontal bar
The horizontal bar and the crossbar are gymnastic apparatus, the names of which designate the same device. The design is presented in the form of a steel rod with a diameter of 28 mm and a length of about 2.5 m, which is installed on two parallel
telescopic racks. The latter are fixed on stretch marks in the form of cables or chains that are attached to the floor.
Since during operation such sports gymnastic apparatuses have extreme loads, the main structural elements here are made of high-strength spring steel. Allocate universal horizontal bars and crossbars for competitions.
Horse
Gymnastic apparatus of this category are used in the programs of women's and men's competitions. The main purpose of such an inventory is the implementation of acrobatic elements.
The horse includes an elongated plastic or wooden base, lined with elastic material, and a heavy metal stand, which prevents the displacement of the projectile. The device contains two parallel handles that serve as grips.
The length of the shell of a standard projectile is 1.6 m, the width is 35 cm, and the height is 28 cm. The latter is mounted on metal "legs" that allow you to change the position and height of the projectile. To practice the men's competitive gymnastic program, the horse is located at a height of 1.15 m from the surface of the site. If the projectile is used as the basis for repulsion when performing a vault, the racks extend to the level of 1.25 m for women and 1.35 m for men. The mass of the horse is 125 kg.
Such gymnastic apparatus is made of wood. The case is covered with rubber or felt, and then burlap.
There are several types of gymnastic horses:
- hopping - deprived of handles;
- fly - have palm rests;
- universal - contain sockets for installation of handles.
Gymnastic bridge
It is used when performing acrobatic jumps. Mounted on a flat surface in closed rooms. It consists of a rigidly connected base and a jumping platform with a curved shape. Between these elements is a spring.
The gymnastics bridge platform is made of plywood with a thickness of 15 mm and has a multilayer structure. The outer shell of the projectile is represented by an elastic pad, which prevents slipping when jumping.
Rings
They are a mobile gymnastic apparatus. Rings are suspended on special elastic, high-strength cables. Applied gymnastic apparatus in the program of the Olympic Games to work out the men's program.
According to the requirements of the International Gymnastics Federation, the cables of the device must be fixed at a height of 5.75 m from the surface of the site, and the rings themselves at a level of 2.75 m. The inner diameter of the grips is 18 cm. The distance between the rings in a calm state is 50 cm.
Log
This gymnastic apparatus - the 6th in our review - is used to perform balance exercises. Such an inventory is presented in the form of a horizontal beam 10 cm wide and no more than 5 m long. According to standards, the height of the projectile is 125 cm.
A log is made of coniferous wood. On top of the shell is covered with a shell in the form of a solid veneer. The log must necessarily contain an external cloth covering made of material, which prevents slipping during the exercise and accordingly protects the athlete from getting injured. For the same reason, the corners and edges of the timber are rounded. Such gymnastic apparatuses are mounted on two adjustable racks that contain fixed shock absorbers.
Currently distinguished: universal logs of variable height, low fixtures of constant height, as well as products with soft and hard coatings. These varieties of gymnastic apparatus are used in various types of training and competition activities.
Gymnastic carpet
It is used to work out a program aimed at performing floor exercises and acrobatic jumps. It can be used both in combination with an elastic platform and without it. To assemble the latter, plywood sections are used that contain coatings with a marking, elements with shock-absorbing qualities.
Mats
Gym mats are used as a safety tool to mitigate shock loads when performing a jump from various shells. Products of this category are made from linen, cotton fabrics, canvas. The packing here is foam rubber, cotton wool or sponge rubber. As for the outer covers, they are made of genuine or artificial leather.
There are gymnastic mats of several standard sizes: 2x1 m and 2x1.25 m. According to safety requirements, the thickness of the products should not exceed 6.5 cm.
Today, when conducting youth competitions, mats with foam padding are used. However, due to increased loads, the use of such devices is prohibited in adult competitive practice. Therefore, they resort to the operation of mats with rubber fillers.