In Gymnastics, What Is the Difference Between Apparatus & Equipment?

In the gymnastics world, the terms “apparatus” and “equipment” are often used interchangeably. Officially, however, the International Gymnastics Federation defines apparatus as the specific device on which the gymnast performs. Equipment is everything the gymnast uses to enable or enhance her performance. Some equipment, such as the vault springboard and surrounding safety mats, is required. Other equipment, such as grips or beam shoes, is optional.

  1. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics

    • Women’s artistic gymnastics utilizes four pieces of apparatus -- the balance beam, the vaulting table, the uneven bars and the floor. Each piece of apparatus has several supporting pieces of equipment. USA Gymnastics, which governs competitive gymnastics in the United States, sets specific requirements for mandatory equipment. This includes such items as mats, which must be of a prescribed thickness and dimensions for each apparatus, as well as the vault runway and springboard. In addition, female gymnasts may choose to use certain pieces of optional equipment. For example, grips help the gymnast maintain tighter control over her uneven bars routine, while beam shoes provide additional traction on the balance beam.

    Men’s Artistic Gymnastics

    • Men’s artistic gymnastics uses six pieces of apparatus -- the pommel horse, the vaulting table, the rings, the parallel bars, the horizontal bar and the floor. Each piece of apparatus has its own mandatory equipment. In addition, male gymnasts are allowed to use optional equipment such as ring grips to maintain tighter control over their routines.

    Rhythmic Gymnastics

    • Rhythmic gymnastics has five pieces of apparatus -- the ball, the hoop, the ribbon, the rope and the clubs. Since rhythmic gymnasts perform with rather than on the apparatus, no additional equipment is mandatory or permitted. The exception is replacement apparatus, which may be placed along three of the four lines that make up the edge of the floor before the routine begins.

    Other Types of Gymnastics

    • Trampoline, aerobic and acrobatic gymnastics are also recognized by the International Gymnastics Federation. In trampoline gymnastics, the trampoline is the apparatus. Aerobic gymnastics uses the floor as its only apparatus. Acrobatic gymnastics consists of partners and groups using each other’s bodies as apparatus. Additional equipment is not required or allowed in these types of gymnastics.