Tag: Bars
The Ideal Composition for a Level 8 Bar Routine
This post has been updated to reflect the 2022-2026 Code of Points. What goes into a Level 8 bar routine? It’s a little more involved than Levels 6 and 7! Level 8 is the first level that includes composition deductions, and Level 8 gymnasts are required to perform more difficult skills than the previous levels. […]
How to Perfect Your Level 2 Bar Routine
The Best Gymnastics Grips You Need In 2023
When gymnasts start to get ready for competition, there are a lot of new things to learn. New skills, new routines, new attire. One thing that can be confusing about the attire is gymnastics grips for bars. When does a gymnast need them? What are they used for? Which ones are the best? Let’s take […]
Xcel Bars: Platinum and Diamond
This post has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points. What’s the best way to get my Xcel Platinum bars score up? How about Xcel Diamond? There are many more considerations in these divisions, compared with Bronze, Silver, and Gold. And of course, there are intricacies specific to each […]
6 General Deductions You’re Probably Getting
What are the “intangibles” that can elevate your routine to the top? Every optional gymnastics routine is evaluated, at the end, on several general categories. These categories can result in general deductions for the routine, if there are deficits in these areas. Most routines receive a deduction in at least one of these areas. But […]
Xcel Bars: Bronze, Silver, and Gold
This article has been updated to reflect the changes in the 2022-26 Xcel Code of Points, and updated again July 20. 2023. Xcel gymnastics. These levels used to strike fear into the hearts of judges, when they were first being developed. The rules were so different from J.O. that some judges said they wouldn’t even […]
How to Perfect Your Level 5 Bar Routine
How to Perfect Your Level 4 Bar Routine
This post has been updated to reflect changes to the 2021 compulsory routines. The Level 4 bar routine comes with some big changes, compared to Level 3. Kips! Jumping to the high bar! These new, big skills can present quite a challenge to a new Level 4 gymnast. When I first competed at this level, […]
How to Perfect Your Level 3 Bar Routine 2022
This post has been updated to reflect the 2021 compulsory updates, and the updates from the 2022 minutes. Where I live in Ohio, Level 3 is often the first level gymnasts compete. For many Level 3 gymnasts, learning to swing bars can be really tough! Bars requires a lot of upper-body strength along with good […]
