Understand artistic gymnastics, clearly.

Clear explanations of the skills, apparatus, scoring and competitions behind the sport, with a UK perspective for fans, families and newcomers.

Start here Explore scoring

Illustration of a men's gymnast on horizontal bar and a women's gymnast on balance beam

Choose your starting point

I'm new to gymnastics

Learn what artistic gymnastics is, how the disciplines differ and what to watch for.

I'm a parent or carer

Find practical UK guidance on starting classes, choosing a club and getting involved.

I want to understand scores

Explore how difficulty, execution and deductions shape a final score.

I want to explore skills

Browse skill explanations and the vocabulary used to describe gymnastics.

Explore the disciplines

Women's Artistic Gymnastics

Vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Men's Artistic Gymnastics

Floor, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar.

Gymnastics Explained is an independent project by Claire McDonald, a sports enthusiast and independent web designer from Scotland. Guides are written from cited sources but have not yet been independently reviewed by a gymnastics technical expert, and corrections are welcome. Read about the site and its editorial approach.