Aerobic Gymnastics – energy to burn
Aerobic Gymnastics is perhaps the most dynamic and energetic of all the gymnastic disciplines. Finding its roots in the group fitness and aerobic classes of the late 80’s, Aerobic Gymnastics is a recent addition to the stable of gymnastic disciplines and boasts a growing number of enthusiasts throughout the UK.
Immediately recognisable for its high energy and heart pounding routines set to lively ‘up-tempo’ music, Aerobic Gymnastics is popular with both males and females and offers opportunities for participation as individuals, mixed pairs, trios and groups. Unlike any other discipline, gymnasts wear aerobic trainers.
An aerobic routine is performed on a 7 x 7 m sprung wooden floor area (for individuals) and a slightly larger 10 x 10 m area for Mixed Pairs, Trios and the Groups.
Aerobic Gymnastics last up to 1 minute 30 seconds.
The perfect sport for those who are looking for a great way to keep in shape, have a good ear for music and a willingness to take their cardio-vascular fitness to new levels, Aerobic Gymnastics is gaining a solid foot hold in the UK.
Aerobic routines are not only great fun to train and compete but also to watch. The upbeat music constantly keeps the audience alert and involved with the gymnast, whose aim is to captivate with enthusiasm and dynamism.
The first thing that blows away audiences watching Aerobic Gymnastics is the speed and cardio-vascular nature of the routine, closely followed by the synchronisation, interactions, lifts and ever changing aerobic movement patterns of pairs, trios and groups.
The basis of all aerobic routines lies in the performance and combination of seven basic aerobic movements involving both the arms and legs: March, Jog, Skip, Knee Lift, Kick, Jack and Lunge. Mastering these movements is often the focus of introductory aerobic gymnastics programmes.
As gymnasts improve their co-ordination and speed of movement they sequence together counts of continuous complex and high intensity movement patterns to ‘up-tempo’ music.
A winning routine will typically show clean and balanced movements with perfect technique. The routine will include at least one element from the 4 element groups of dynamic strength, static strength, jumps/leaps and flexibility/balance with a maximum of 10 elements (for Individuals) or 12 elements (for Mixed Pairs, Trios or Groups).
If you’ve got energy to burn then Aerobic Gymnastics is the sport for you. Why not Join a gymnastics club today and get started.