The Rhine Wheel is an unusual sports equipment that was originally used to train a sense of balance for pilots of high-speed fighter aircraft. Even a few minutes of training with this projectile help to improve the vestibular apparatus, coordination and sense of balance.
Rhine Wheel: Design
By now, we are all familiar with gymnastics and have some idea what it is, but have you heard of gymnastic wheels? An interesting branch of gymnastics, which has not yet gained due popularity around the world. Wheel gymnastics is still largely concentrated in his native Germany, where the Rhine wheel was invented.
This is the same gymnastics, but instead of performing various tricks on the ground, gymnasts perform them on a wheel that consists of two circles connected by six knitting needles. Inside there are two platforms with special clamps for the feet. Opposite are two handles for grabbing hands.
It is difficult to believe that this little design was invented and independently assembled by a little boy. And he did this in order to ride from a hill, which was not far from the forge of his father. The young inventor has perfected his creation for years and even carried out a kind of test. This was no longer a children's toy, but a real sports equipment.
A bit of history
German inventor and gymnast Otto Fake invented the Rhine wheel in 1925, and on November 8, 1925, he patented it as a “wheel-gymnastic and sports equipment”. In 1936, it was even shown at the Berlin Olympic Games, but was not presented as an Olympic discipline. The World Sport Wheel Championship is also taking place in Switzerland. Gymnastics using the Rhine wheel is already quite complicated in itself, but it is also sometimes performed on ice or even in the air, which increases the difficulty several times.
Wheel gymnastics from Germany
Wheel gymnastics is a form of gymnastics that originated in Germany. Leading gymnasts do exercises on large wheels, known as the Rhine wheels. In 1995, the International Wheel Gymnastics Federation was founded and the first world championship was held.
In this exercise, gymnasts use their bodies to make the wheel spin and oscillate. The diameter depends on the height of the gymnast, because he or she should be able to rest against the structure while in a position with outstretched arms and legs. Most wheels usually have a diameter between 130-245 cm and weigh 40-60 kg.
Non-traditional sports
Of course, there is an entertaining story about how a ten-year-old named Otto Fake invented unusual sports equipment, which now even hosts world championships. This sport is not traditional in the direct sense of the word, it is also not widespread outside of Germany and surrounding countries. The wheel gym center remains mainly in Germany. However, in America, the city of Cincinnati also hosted the World Cup, where gymnasts competed in their mastery of this unusual sports equipment.
Fixed Rhine Wheel Training
You can start the exercise by swaying to the right or left. Whatever (whether stationary or not) the Rhine wheel, skills training should be accompanied by professional support. When learning new tricks, you must provide assistance and insure the gymnast. If the equipment is fixed, then the help will look as follows: the trainer stands side or front and, if necessary, helps to rotate the wheel rim. he also insures the gymnast and monitors the fastening of the feet. You must always be ready to stop the rotation with a special stopper and keep the novice gymnast from a possible fall.
Rhine-wheel riding requires prior training and frequent exercise. For starters, you can try to practice on stationary equipment. There is a traditional execution technique, according to which 10 turns to the left and 10 turns to the right are performed. In this case, the wheel swings and comes into rotation. The end of the exercise occurs at the moment when you manage to go vertical with your head, that is, roll upside down.