Rhythmic

Rhythmic is a sport which became competitive in 1940 and then first introduced at the Olympics in 1984, initially just for individual gymnasts, with group events added in 1996.

Rhythmic gymnasts perform with rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon on a 13×13 sq metre carpet individually or in a group of 5 and always accompanied by music.

The sport combines gymnastics elements, dance and apparatus handling and with scoring based on balances, leaps and jumps, rotations, apparatus handling and execution, difficulty and artistry.

Rhythmic gymnastics at present is predominantly a female sport in most countries and at elite level competitions. However male Rhythmic gymnastics is emerging and growing, especially in Spain and Japan, so it is only a matter of time before male Rhythmic gymnastics becomes more widely available and recognised. In the UK male rhythmic gymnasts can train and gain access to a few non NDP competitions.

Rhythmic gymnastics is a unique combination of sport, dance and art, where personality and self-expression can be nurtured. The discipline combines the dynamics of gymnastics, techniques from dance and ballet and the manipulation of hand held apparatus (ball, rope, hoop, clubs and ribbon) to create breath taking performances where gymnasts amaze audiences with their astonishing skill.

Gymnasts from the age of 4 can start their Rhythmic gymnastics journey with us in a recreational class learning gymnastics elements fundamental to the sport alongside apparatus handling and dance. Rhythmic gymnastics teaches strength, flexibility, agility and improves hand eye co-ordination, posture, balance and boosts confidence.

Our gymnasts bond over their love of the sport and have built strong friendships inside and outside of the gym, creating long lasting memories through training and competing as part of a team.

Rhythmic gymnasts at Horizon can train for fun or train to compete, with the competition pathway being easy and in gradual levels that increase in difficulty. We tailor each gymnasts learning experience and as talent emerges gymnasts have the possibility of extra training hours where they will learn more advanced skills, expand their gymnastics potential as part of our development training plan and participate in higher level competitions.

Rhythmic gymnasts of all levels in the club can also earn awards with the British gymnastics Rise gymnastics programme, compete in our club competition and may be invited to participate in camps and extra competitive training.