A Quick History of Gymnastics

When people think “aerobics” they think of a typical scene from the 1980’s-women dressed in leotards and leg warmers sweating in gyms to a semi-sadistic trainer. The sport of aerobic gymnastics, however, combines the best of aerobics’ strength building and dynamic bodybuilding with the beauty, flexibility and agility of gymnastics. Here is a brief history about gymnastics if you are looking to join your local gymnastics in NH class but want a little more information first:

History

Aerobic gymnastics was invented in the 1980’s. The sport evolved from traditional aerobics classes, combining almost dancelike routines designed to increase strength, coordination and flexibility with high energy, fast paced music. In aerobic gymnastics, the gymnast must choreograph his or her own routines with music, incorporating the seven aerobic basic steps and make certain the performance is smooth, continuous and flows well. The seven steps of marching, jogging, skipping, lifting, kicking, and lunging must be included. The gymnast may use a combination of all floor exercises, all exercises using apparatus, or can combine the two. Team routines are often made more difficult, both to impress the audience and to gather a higher score from the judges. Team routines often incorporate lifts and difficulty elements.

Oxygen

“Aerobic” literally means “with oxygen”. Aerobic exercise is a form of exercise that uses oxygen to produce energy. The exercise must last for about 20 minutes in order for the heart muscle to strengthen and the participant to achieve target heart rate. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and lungs, allowing the muscle to pump more blood to parts of the body with fewer heartbeats.

Championships

Championships are held once every two years, such as the Aerobic Gymnastics European Championships, where people from all over Europe practice their sport. In 1994, the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique organized world championships and structured aerobic gymnastics. The FIG Congress hopes to one day include the sport in the Olympics.

If you're looking to enroll a child in gymnastics, or maybe you're interested in trying it out for yourself, check out the Nashua School of Gymnastics. Sports to get you active have never been easier to find and enroll in than gymnastics in NH. Call them today at 603-880-4927 or stop on by at 30 Pond Street, Nashua, NH.