What is gymnastics?

We explain what gymnastics is and what types of gymnastics exist. In addition, the origin of this discipline and its health benefits.

1. What is gymnastics?

Gymnastics is a sports discipline in which systematic sequences of physical exercises are executed where different body skills are developed  , such as strength or elasticity. Etymologically the word gymnastics comes from the Greek word  γυμναστική  and has its translation into Spanish as “athletic sports fan” .

Gymnastics is a practice whose origin dates back thousands of years before Christ, with the Romans. At first the Romans then practiced gymnastics practices , such as horse riding or gait; having as reference and influence the exercises performed by the Greeks in circuses.

From these Greek exercises they took the most violent aspects to consequently recreate the fighting between gladiators. Later, in the middle ages, only jesters practiced it , until they were claimed by characters like Luther.

Today gymnastics has several modalities, and can be practiced for pleasure as well as for competitive , educational and even therapeutic purposes (the latter specially designed for health treatments).

2. Types of gymnastics

Currently, gymnastics is governed and professionally organized by the International Gymnastics Federation . In this way, Gymnastics is composed of different disciplines:

• Rhythmic : It is distinguished from the others, because it incorporates elements of dance and ballet. It has background music and you can use accessories such as ball, ribbon, string, hoop, among others. In a competition they are evaluated in two types of categories, individually or together .
• Acrobatic : It is practiced in a group and in addition to artistic or gymnastic movements, it includes acrobatics in which they are promoted as a group. Therefore it requires strength, coordination , precision and a lot of confidence.
• Aerobic : Its movements come from aerobics, so the execution of the movement pattern includes intensity variations. It is more intense.
• On trampoline : This one runs on trampolines or similar.
• Artistic : It looks like some of the previous ones, since it has choreographies and movements that are performed at high speed. It is an Olympic sport .

3. Benefits of gymnastics

Like all sports, it is highly beneficial for health , but also due to the type of discipline, other skills are developed such as elasticity, speed, improves reaction capacity, improves reflexes, allows more coordination, there is greater body control that in other sports , it helps strengthen bodybuilding and articulation, among many other advantages.

Psychologically it also has certain benefits, allows you to work on self-confidence ; and if it is a group, it improves the ability to work in a team or as a couple, allows more and better concentration and attention. Also, in competitive fields, it favors overcoming, tolerance to frustration, perseverance and fighting spirit.