The balance beam is an artistic gymnastics apparatus, as well as the event performed using the apparatus. Both the apparatus and the event are sometimes simply referred to as "beam". The English abbreviation for the event in gymnastics scoring is BB.
The beam is a small, thin beam which is typically raised from the floor on a leg or stand at both ends. The balance beam is only performed by female gymnasts. Beams are usually made of leather like material.
Balance beams used in international gymnastics competitions must conform to the guidelines and specifications set forth by the International Gymnastics Federation Apparatus Norms brochure. Several companies manufacture and sell beams, including AAI (USA), Jannsen and Fritsen (Europe) and Acromat (Australia).
Most gymnastics schools purchase and use balance beams that meet the FIG's standards, but some may also use beams with carpeted surfaces for practice situations. While learning new skills, gymnasts often work on low beams that have the same dimensions and surface of regulation apparatus, but are set a very short distance from the ground. They may also work on practice beams, mini beams, road beams, or even lines on a mat.
Originally, the beam surface was plain polished wood. In earlier years, some gymnasts competed on a beam made of basketball-like material. However, this type of beam was eventually banned due to its extreme slipperiness. Since the 1980s, beams have been covered in leather or suede. In addition, they are now also sprung to accommodate the stress of high-difficulty tumbling and dance skills.
Other articles related to "balance beam, beam, balance":
... The Balance Beam in the original version of American Gladiators was a horizontal beam approximately 6 inches wide between two platforms ... During Season 1, the balance beam was the second obstacle ... During the second season, the balance beam became the third obstacle ...
... born February 22, 1992 in Huangshi, Hubei) is a Chinese gymnast who is especially strong on balance beam ... in Stuttgart, Germany, where she also medalled on the balance beam ... Li Shanshan managed to win the silver medal in the beam event despite falling during a full spin, incurring an automatic 0.8 deduction, because her start value (A-score ...
... where a designated agile person would use the log bundles to climb on top of a balance beam ... to pull a second key along a rope twisted around the balance beam while remaining on top of the balance beam ...
... The balance beam is one of the woman’s competitive events in gymnastics ... with a Johan Christoph GutsMuths’ "horizontal laying, totally round pine tree trunk..." to balance on ... on high bar, parallel bars and vault, but no gymnastics on beam ...
... She is the 2008 Olympic balance beam gold medalist and team, all-around and floor exercise silver medalist ... Champion on balance beam and floor exercise, the 2008 U.S ... Champion on floor exercise and silver medalist on balance beam, she is a three-time U.S ...
Famous quotes containing the words beam and/or balance:
“How can one beam alone support a house?”
—Chinese proverb.
“The hero is a mind of such balance that no disturbances can shake his will, but pleasantly, and, as it were, merrily, he advances to his own music, alike in frightful alarms and in the tipsy mirth of universal dissoluteness.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)