Section 2: Equipment
All apparatus used in FIG-sanctioned competitions must be approved by the FIG and listed on the official FIG Approved Apparatus List. Manufacturers must obtain FIG certification prior to use at any FIG event. Equipment specifications are defined in the FIG Technical Regulations and the relevant Code of Points.
Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) Apparatus
Per the FIG Technical Regulations and CoP MAG 2022–2026:
- Floor Exercise (FX): Spring floor measuring 12 m × 12 m (39.4 ft × 39.4 ft) with a safety border of at least 1 m on all sides. The total platform area is at least 14 m × 14 m. The floor surface must be covered with a non-slip carpet.
- Pommel Horse (PH): Height of the top surface: 1.15 m (3 ft 9.3 in) from the floor. Length: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in). Width: 0.35 m (13.8 in). The pommels are set 0.40–0.42 m apart (center to center). Pommel height above the horse body: 0.12 m (4.7 in). The horse body must be covered with leather or synthetic material.
- Still Rings (SR): The rings hang at a height of 2.50 m (8 ft 2.4 in) from the floor to the lower inside edge of the rings when not in use. Ring inner diameter: 0.18 m (7.1 in). The wire/strap length from the point of suspension to the top of the ring: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) total suspension height from ceiling anchor. Cable diameter: minimum 0.009 m (9 mm).
- Vault (VT): The vaulting table is 1.20 m (3 ft 11.2 in) high (adjustable). Table surface length: 1.20 m (3 ft 11.2 in); width: 0.95 m (37.4 in). The springboard (Reuther board) is placed 0–1.20 m from the front of the table. The runway is at least 25 m (82 ft) long and 1 m wide.
- Parallel Bars (PB): Bar height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) from the floor. Bar length: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in). Bar width (inside): 0.42–0.52 m (16.5–20.5 in), adjustable. The bars must be constructed of fiberglass or wood with appropriate flex characteristics.
- Horizontal Bar (HB): Bar height: 2.80 m (9 ft 2.2 in) from the floor to the top of the bar. Bar length: 2.40 m (7 ft 10.4 in). Bar diameter: 0.028 m (28 mm). The bar is constructed of special high-tensile steel. Guy wires must be set to stabilize the bar.
Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Apparatus
Per CoP WAG 2022–2026 and FIG Technical Regulations:
- Vault (VT): Vaulting table height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1.2 in). Table surface length: 1.20 m (3 ft 11.2 in); width: 0.95 m (37.4 in). Runway minimum length: 25 m.
- Uneven Bars (UB): High bar height: 2.50 m (8 ft 2.4 in). Low bar height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in). Both heights adjustable. Bar length: 2.40 m (7 ft 10.4 in). The distance between bars is adjustable from 0.130 m to 1.800 m (measured from near sides of bars). Bar diameter: 0.048 m (48 mm) for the high bar; 0.050 m (50 mm) for the low bar (fiberglass core with wood or synthetic coating).
- Balance Beam (BB): Height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1.2 in) from floor to top surface. Length: 5.00 m (16 ft 4.9 in). Width of top surface: 0.10 m (3.94 in). The beam surface must be covered with suede or synthetic leather material providing grip without excessive friction.
- Floor Exercise (FX): Same specifications as MAG floor: 12 m × 12 m spring floor with 1 m safety border. Women's floor exercise is performed to music (see Section 5).
Gymnastics Attire
Per FIG Technical Regulations, Article 5 (Clothing/Uniforms):
- Male gymnasts must wear athletic shorts or long trousers (called "longs") on all events except floor, where shorts are permitted. Shirts must cover the torso. On pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, and horizontal bar, gymnasts may wear either shorts or longs with foot straps.
- Female gymnasts must wear a leotard that is modest and appropriate. Unitards (leotard with leg covering) are permitted. Skirts are not permitted in competition.
- Gymnastics footwear (half-shoes, gymnastics slippers, or bare feet) is permitted. Shoes with hard soles are not permitted.
- Jewelry other than small ear studs is not permitted during competition (FIG Technical Regulations, Article 5.3).
- Handgrips (leather grips with or without dowels) may be worn on horizontal bar, rings, parallel bars (MAG), and uneven bars (WAG). Hand chalk (magnesium carbonate) is permitted on all apparatus.