Gymnastics is an international sport and one of the most popular Olympic sports. It requires great agility, strength and physical fitness. Most children take part in gymnastic activities at school, combining exercising with having fun and improving their coordination. There are opportunities for children to become involved in gymnastics, under proper supervision, throughout the UK.

PRE-SCHOOL GYMNASTICS FOR UNDER FIVES

Children under five years of age can learn to use a range of different apparatus. They can learn to stretch, jump, balance and roll.

TYPES OF GYMNASTICS

There are seven different types of gymnastics (click on 'Disciplines' on the side of each of the seven links below for more detail):

General Gymnastics is the form of gymnastics commonly practised in schools and follows the British Gymnastics badge programme.

Women's Artistic Gymnastics uses four pieces of apparatus, vault, bars, beam and finally the floor exercise, which combines artistic choreography with gymnastic and tumbling skills.

Men's Artistic Gymnastics is technically demanding, using six pieces of apparatus, the floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bar and horizontal bar.

Sports Acrobatics is practised by girls and boys and links dance, balancing and acrobatic tumbling skills. It also involves trampoline.

Sports Aerobics is a mixture of fitness, dance and gymnastic skills.

Rhythmic Gymnastics is for women of all ages. The gymnasts turn, flex, jump and balance using ropes, hoops, balls, clubs or ribbons.

Trampolining comes under the gymnastics umbrella. Your child may want to do it for fun or follow the proficiency awards scheme and earn badges. Contact the British Trampoline Federation for more information on .

BAGA CLUBS

There are over 170 gymnastic clubs associated with British Gymnastics (BG) throughout the UK. Each club will have BG approved coaches. BG provide a list of associated clubs . BG also have details of their membership on their website. Your local authority will also have a list of gym clubs in your area. BG has an award scheme for people of all ages.

REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

BG should have advice on regional contacts that can provide information about gymnastics in your area.

GYMNASTICS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

Disabilities Gymnastics provides opportunities for disabled people. If you feel your child would benefit from taking part in gymnastics contact the Special Gymnastics Association ) to arrange a meeting with the head of coaching. Disabled participants are, wherever possible, included in mainstream classes but where this is not possible one to one classes can be organised. Further details about the centre and the benefits of gymnastics can be found on their website.

The contact details for the charities and organisations dedicated to sport for disabled children throughout the UK can be found in our section on Leisure for Disabled Children.

ORGANISATIONS

British Gymnastics is the governing body for gymnastics in the UK.
European Union of Gymnastics (UEG)
Federation of International Gymnastics is the world gymnastic governing body.
The British Trampoline Federation

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family.