Is Rhythmic Gymnastics a good choice?

Whether you are considering signing your kiddo up for a gymnastic class for fun, or already on the path of competitive advancement, today we take you on a deep dive into Rhythmic Gymnastics as a youth sport and an extracurricular activity.

In this post, you will read about the distinction between artistic gymnastics (traditional gymnastics) and rhythmic gymnastics, competitive leveling, and the time and effort investment versus any competitive edge your kid will gain in the context of college application. 

Artistic gymnastics (traditional gymnastics) vs. rhythmic gymnastics

Artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics are distinct disciplines within the gymnastics sport. 

Artistic gymnastics emphasizes strength, power, and precision, with athletes performing routines on apparatus like Floor Exercise, Vault, Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bar, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and more.

In contrast, rhythmic gymnastics blends dance, flexibility, and apparatus manipulation. It highlights artistic expression as athletes perform choreographed routines with ribbons, hoops, or balls. 

While both sports demand high levels of skill, artistic gymnastics is centered on technicals, whereas rhythmic gymnastics prioritizes elegance and coordination.

Today’s content focuses on rhythmic gymnastics only. For artistic gymnastics, stay tuned for future posts.

Competitive Levels

Level 2

This is the introductory level. It focuses on teaching athletes a floor routine and two apparatus routines. It will develop essential rhythmic gymnastics techniques and body skills while learning, performing, and competing.

Level 3

This is the first competitive level in the Junior Olympic program. Athletes build their confidence and develop new techniques as they compete in a floor routine and 2 apparatus routines. Ballet lessons begin at this level.

Level 4

Level 4 athletes compete in a floor and 2 apparatus routines at in-house events and are ready to attend travel competitions. Ballet training is required at this level. Level 4 competes in the Junior Olympic format.

Level 5-6

Level 5-6 gymnasts compete in a “floor” routine and 3 apparatus routines in the Junior Olympic format. At this level and maturity, Athlete responsibility, sportsmanship, and self-discipline become more important.

Level 7-8

These levels’ gymnasts are to be scored using a modified version of the FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) code of points.

Level 9-10

At this elite competitive stage, the gymnast must master difficult body skills and risk tossing maneuvers. Each individual competes in 4 apparatus events choreographed specifically for them. Gymnasts earn Level 10 status based on rank at the USA National Qualifying Competition.

Elite Level

The top 12 athletes (junior and senior) in the all-around competition at the USA National Championships.

National Level 

The top 12 athletes in the Elite Finals at the USA National Championships (junior and senior) are members of the U.S. National Team. View current national team members.

Commitment

Average hours/week: 25-40h

Cost: $800-1500/month depending on levels

NCAA sport: No

Key aptitudes: flexibility, coordination

How does it contribute to my kid’s college application, you may ask. 

A national championship will certainly be a spectacular highlight of the extracurricular activities section, but that’s about it. Because it’s not among the NCAA sports, a rhythmic gymnast won’t be recruited, instead they have to apply through a common app. Itt may also be challenging to continue the level of training once they enter college due to the limit of support. The commercial value of this particular sport is not perceived high among other sports in this country.

On the contrary, artistic gymnastics is in a different situation. Subscribe to #howigotin newsletter to read more: https://www.howigotin.fyi/subscribe