Men's Artistic Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a breath-taking sport that develops strength, speed, power, coordination, flexibility, spatial awareness, a strong work ethic and discipline.

Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) is a discipline of artistic gymnastics in which athletes perform routines with different skills on 6 different apparatuses, combining strength, power, speed, coordination and flexibility.

The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), which assigns the Code of Points used to score performances and regulates all aspects of elite international competition.

Gymnasts will have opportunity to compete at State, National and International levels depending on their progress and their abilities.

Men's Artistic Gymnasts compete on six different events or apparatuses: 

• FLOOR: the 12x12 metre sprung floor area allows gymnasts to reach incredible heights following a series of explosive and powerful acrobatic and tumbling skills. A floor routine can include movements that demonstrate strength, flexibility and balance. Routines combine moves such as somersaults, twists and hold elements.  
• POMMEL HORSE: routines on this apparatus are characterised by circular movements of the body with legs together (circles) and pendulous swings with the legs separated (scissors). Gymnasts also show a spectacular combination of these skills called flairs (circles with legs apart). Throughout the routine the gymnast performs smooth combinations of these movements, turning and travelling along the horse. All parts of the horse are utilisied, while maintaining an extended body line and straight legs.  
• STILL RINGS: this apparatus is known for it's difficulty of strength and swinging elements. The free moving quality of the rings makes it difficult to remain stationary during held elements, where any movement of the rings incurs a penalty. During his performance, the gymnast should demonstrate control, strength and balance in the presentation of forward and backward swings and strength holds parts. The gymnast's dismount allows him to show his aerial abilities prior to landing.
• VAULT: the gymnasts during their twenty-five meter approach to the vault must develop the necessary power to complete all their aerial skills before landing. Upon take-off from the board the gymnast explosively propels himself upwards, dynamically pushing off the table to generate greater height and distance in the second phase of flight . This enables a higher level of acrobatic skill and extension to be performed prior to a stable landing.
• PARALLEL BARS: a predominately swinging apparatus, that is interspersed with only a few held or strength elements. Swings are completed above and below the bars and consist of acrobatic flight elements, changes of direction and swing types. The gymnast's routine ends in a dramatic dismount off the side or the end of the bars.
• HORIZONTAL BAR: this is a very spectacular apparatus, largely due to the acrobatic releases and re-grasp flight elements. The routine is based on swinging parts without stops, and includes extended forward and backward giant swings, combined with near bar elements, changes of direction and grip, as well as the release and re-grasp movements. The high dismounts from the bar allows the gymnast to show his acrobatic talents and landing prowess.

Classes and Squads

Beginning as young as 5 years old in our MAG Rec class, a fun skill focused class where boys will get to jump on MAG equipment and learn the basic elements associated with each. This class acts as an identification pathway for the competitive squads, without the pressure of competitions or massive training commitments. 

From this class above, or any of our recreational classes, the boys can move into our MAG competitive squad groups. Athletes continue to build their skills as they increase the intensity and frequency of training and begin to compete in competitions both locally and nationally, creating endless possibilities and opening countless doors as they continue their journey in the sport.

MAG REC (not competitive): 1.5 hours per week

JUNIOR 2 (level 0-1): up to 4 hours per week

JUNIOR 1 (level 1-2): up to 9 hours per week

INTERMEDIATE 2 (level 3-4): up to 9 hours per week

INTERMEDIATE 1 (level 4-5-6): up to 14 hours per week

SENIOR 3 (level 6-7-8-9): up to 20 hours per week

SENIOR 2 (level 8-9): up to 20 hours per week

SENIOR 1 (level 8-9-10-Snr): up to 22 hours per week

Why choose gymnastics? What are the gymnastics benefits?

Gymnastics prepares your body for any kind of sport or physical activity.

Increase flexibility as you start engaging in some specific stretching exercises, your joints and muscles become more flexible, reducing the risk of injuries.

Burn Calories with strenght exercises and increasing the heart rate.

Tones and Build Muscles engaging and strengthening the joints and muscles in your arms, legs, back and shoulders.

Because gymnastics helps promote a healthy body, adding it to your daily or weekly routine can help to prevent some diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and muscle atrophy.

In addition it helps to build personal discipline. A gymnast need to be diligent and self-discipline while learning new exercises and new skills because sometimes the learning process could be hard, painful and discomfortable. 

This sport will make you stronger and gain greater coordination that will improve day by day, giving benefits for other parts of the life.

Want to try Men's Artistic Gymnastics? Book a free trail in one of our classes.