A brief history
Gymnastics has ancient roots that go back to classical Greece, where it was part of physical and military training. As a modern sport, however, it began to develop in the 19th century in Central Europe, especially in Germany and Sweden, with organised training systems and apparatus such as the bars and the vaulting horse.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) was founded in 1881 and is the oldest organisation in world sport. Since then, the FIG has regulated and expanded the official disciplines, integrating artistic, rhythmic and acrobatic events and, later, more modern activities such as parkour.
Official disciplines recognised by the FIG (2025)
Artistic Gymnastics (men's and women's)
This is the best-known discipline and has been part of the Olympic Games since Athens 1896. It involves performing routines on different apparatus, combining strength, technique, balance and expression.
Men compete on: floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar. Women compete on: floor, vault, uneven bars and balance beam.
Finally, judges assess the difficulty of the routines, the technical execution and the overall presentation.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
This discipline combines dance, technical precision, body expression and handling of apparatus such as the rope, hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.
At present it is exclusively for women at the Olympic Games, although men's competitions already exist at other events. Judges score body difficulty, apparatus handling, artistic expressiveness and technical execution.
Trampoline
In this discipline, gymnasts perform acrobatic jumps in the air using a trampoline bed.
There are individual events and synchronised pair events, where two gymnasts perform the same movements at the same time. There is also a double mini-trampoline event, a smaller and more dynamic version of the trampoline.
When scoring, height, the difficulty of the acrobatics, precision in the turns and stability on landing are all assessed.
Trampoline is an Olympic discipline, but only in the individual event.
Acrobatic Gymnastics
A form of gymnastics practised in pairs or groups (from 2 to 4 gymnasts), it combines balance elements, throws and choreography, and demands great strength, trust and coordination. Each member has a role: bases (those who carry or throw) and flyers (those who are lifted or perform the figures in the air). Although it is regulated by the FIG and has international competitions, it is not part of the Olympic programme.
Aerobic Gymnastics
This is a discipline based on high-intensity movements of considerable technical complexity, performed to music. It can be competed individually, in pairs, or in trios or groups. Routines are performed on a special sprung floor. Although it is not an Olympic sport, aerobic gymnastics is officially recognised by the FIG and holds world and continental championships.
Gym for All
This is the only non-competitive discipline of all of them, aiming to encourage gymnastics as physical activity at every age and, above all, to support inclusion and different technical and skill levels. The goal of this discipline is therefore not to compete but to promote values such as diversity. International events and festivals are held, such as the World Gymnaestrada, organised by the FIG. It is not an Olympic discipline.
Parkour
Parkour is the most recent discipline to be officially incorporated by the FIG, since 2022. It is a sport that involves moving from one point to another as quickly and efficiently as possible, overcoming all kinds of obstacles through jumps and agile movements using only the body.
The FIG organises international parkour events focused on speed and style on urban courses. It is divided into two disciplines: Speed-run (a race against the clock) and Freestyle (judged on creativity, difficulty and style). Although it has gained great popularity and World Cups and FIG Championships are being organised, it is not yet part of the Olympic programme.
Which disciplines does the Royal Spanish Gymnastics Federation (RFEG) include?
The RFEG, which is aligned with the FIG, includes all the official disciplines and also promotes other practices that are not recognised by the FIG but have their own development in Spain:
- Group Aesthetic Gymnastics (AEG): Although it has its own international federation (IFAGG), it is not recognised by the FIG, but it is recognised by the RFEG. It is not part of the Olympic Games, although it has its own circuit of international competitions.
- Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics: It is not yet official in the FIG, but it is developed in national championships in Spain and in other pioneering countries such as Japan.
- Other programmes: Although they are not disciplines, the RFEG also coordinates other categories and training levels that are key to the growth of the sport, such as Schools and Base (schools focused on initiation) and Promotion and Technique (aimed at identifying talent and refining skills).
Did you know...?
- The FIG is the oldest international sports federation in the world, founded in 1881.
- In acrobatic gymnastics, a single routine can include up to 4 people forming human figures more than 2 metres high.
- The World Gymnaestrada can bring together more than 20,000 gymnasts from around the world at a single non-competitive event.
- Rhythmic Gymnastics was the first exclusively female sport included in the Olympic Games, debuting in 1984 with individual routines and adding group routines in 1996.
- The youngest gymnast to compete at an Olympic Games was only 11 years old: Dimitrios Loundras, at Athens 1896. Today, the FIG sets a minimum age of 16 for senior international competitions.
Conclusion
Gymnastics is not a single sport but a wide range of disciplines that combine art, strength, precision and creativity. Whichever discipline you choose, they all share the same essence: a constant challenge for body and mind.
