Everything you need to know about the pommel horse

Artistic gymnastics is a sport that unites many disciplines. To become the champions, sportsmen perform at the top of their abilities using various apparatuses. One of them is the pommel horse, which is traditionally used by male gymnasts. This apparatus, as well as the discipline it is used for, has a lasting history. What are the most important things to know about it?

The apparatus

The pommel horse is an apparatus that consists of four metal legs and a beam made of wood or plastic. Its upper part is a little bit rounded and thus, comfortable to use. To prevent sportsmen from being injured, the beam is covered with  special non-slippery material. If necessary, it is possible to adjust the height of the legs to the height of the sportsman.

Let us take a look at the dimensions. Usually the pommel horse is 160 centimeters long and 35 centimeters wide. The handles are 12 centimeters high. They are located at a 40 to 45 centimeters’ distance. As it was mentioned previously, the height of the pommel horse is adjustable and varies from 115 to 135 centimeters.

Types of the pommel horse

In accordance with the elements that can be performed on the apparatus, three types of the pommel horse are distinguished. The first one is used to perform various swings. Its handles are oval in shape. Since these elements involve dynamic movement, the apparatus is attached to the floor with the help of a chain. This type of the pommel horse can reach 125 kilos’ weight. There are only two T-shaped legs.

Another variety of the apparatus the one that is used for jumping. This type of the pommel horse does not have any handles, which is why the amount of the elements that can be performed on this apparatus is limited. The height of the legs depends on the gender: male athletes compete on the apparatus, which height is 135 centimeters, while women use the apparatus, which height is 120 centimeters.

There is a universal variety of the pommel horse. It may have he handles, or not. It is universal because any elements can be performed on it. The height of this apparatus varies from 90 to 135 centimeters.

Elements

All the elements performed on the pommel horse can be divided into several groups.

• Swing elements involve various turns that can be modified by jumps and handstands.
• Transitions are the elements that involve changing the area of the pommel horse where the element is performed. Basically, transitions mean that a sportsman moves from one side of the apparatus to another.
• Circles are the most difficult elements that can take place in any part of the apparatus. The most difficult variations involve using only one handle to perform 1/1 turn.
• Dismounts are the last elements in the program. They can be simple or modified with various turns or handstands.

Training

The pommel horse is an extremely dangerous apparatus. If an athlete is not qualified enough to perform particular elements, he or she can be injured. This is why training involves using additional devices. One of them resembles a mushroom. This is a simpler apparatus, on which basic movements are practiced. It is a hemisphere covered with soft material. It is placed directly on the floor or on a stand, the height of which is gradually raised.

After mastering the swings on this apparatus, it is possible to switch to the full-fledged horse. In order to learn the dynamics of body movements and staging of hands during the maneuvers, beginners practice them with a suspension. This means that the legs are suspended while the arms are resting on the mushroom. This allows the body to assume a horizontal position. With the feet resting on the mushroom, the lifter performs simple handstands by moving the arms.

Another training apparatus is very similar to the pommel horse. This gymnastic apparatus is an ordinary pommel horse, but mounted on the surface of the floor without the use of a stand. Sportsmen practice basic swinging by accustoming the gymnast to the dynamics of grasping the arms. The lowered horse makes it possible to strengthen the necessary muscle group before training on the full-size apparatus.

To practice jumping, sportsmen use one more apparatus. To learn how to jump over a gymnastic horse, a safer apparatus is used at first. It differs from the classic design a little bit. Its main difference is the special shape of the surface, more reminiscent of a board. Such projectiles are shorter. Their length is usually 120 cm. In the front part the training gymnastic horse is curved downwards, which means that in case of a collision, the gymnast will not get injured. The upper part of the horse is inclined at an angle of 3 degrees, so that the athlete can see the area of contact with the surface in advance.

Competitions

There are three types of competitions. Some of them are individual, which means that each sportsman scores a particular amount of points. They determine the sportsman’s position in the tournament bracket. Team tournaments involve several sportsmen. All of them receive points for their routines. Then their points are summed to determine the position of the team in the tournament bracket. There are mixed competitions, in terms of which both individual and team scores are evaluated.

Requirements for sportsmen

There are several rules all sportsmen must follow. For example, one of them is concerned with their age. There are four categories of athletes in accordance with their age:

• Children are 7-10 years old;
• Youngsters are 11-13 years old;
• Juniors are 14-17 years old;
• Men are 18 years or older.

Their costumes must consist of long gymnastic tights and a T-shirt, as well as a pair of socks. If sportsmen take part in a team tournament, all of them must be wearing similar clothes.

International organizations

Nowadays, there are many international organizations, some of them have a lasting history. For example, the most well-known organization is the International Gymnastics Federation. Its office is located in Switzerland. At first, only three countries participated in its work, but then their number gradually enhanced. There is a European organization that was established in 1982. It is considered to be one of the biggest sports organizations in the world. Of course, almost all countries have national gymnastics organizations.

Thus, the pommel horse is an apparatus that is used by many sportsmen. It involves performing difficult elements, most of which cannot be performed without preliminary training on the training apparatus.