Marta Kulesza

In rhythmic gymnastics competitors perform with one or two pieces of appartaus: -clubs -rope -hoop -ball -ribbon When rhythmic gymnastics started, gymnasts had to practise with wooden clubs. It was difficult to exercise with them because they were heavy, they broke easily and competitors often had splinters in their hands.

Wooden clubs

In the course of the development of gymnastics manufacturers invented more practical and safer clubs made of plastic.

Plastic clubs were more durable than wooden ones but they still broke and it was rather painful to be hit with them during a performance. As a result, producers introduced rubber clubs. Such apparatus was technologically better and less dangerous for the competitors but more difficult to control. If they slip off the gymnast’s hand, they bounce from the mat and it is hard to predict where they will fall.

Rubber clubs

The best technological solution so far have been clubs made of the mixture of rubber and plastic.

All kinds of clubs have been invented and developed in Russia because it is the country where the level of rhythmic gymnastics is the highest and their competitors most often become the world champions. The main companies producing apparatus for rhythmic gymnastics are: -Pastorelli -Sasaki -Chacotta

A modern club is built along an internal rod, providing a base on which a handle made of plastic is wrapped, providing an airspace between it and the internal rod. This airspace provides flex, cushioning impact, making the club softer on the hands. Foam ends and knobs further cushion the club. Multi-piece clubs are made in both a thin European style or larger American style and in various lengths, generally ranging from 48 to 53 cm. The handles and bodies are typically wrapped with decorative plastics and tapes. The size of clubs used by a given gymnast depends on the age group of the competitor.

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