What is Acrobatic Gymnastics?

Acrobatic Gymnastics, often called "Acro," is an elegant and thrilling discipline that combines dance, tumbling, and breath taking partner skills. Unlike traditional gymnastics, which often focuses on individual routines, Acro is all about teamwork, trust, and timing. Athletes perform in pairs or groups, executing routines that showcase balance, dynamic skills, and artistic expression, all set to music.

There are three main types of partnerships in acrobatic gymnastics:

• Women's Pair (two females)

• Men's Pair (two males)

• Mixed Pair (one male, one female)

• Women's Group (three females)

• Men’s Group (four males)

Each partnership type brings unique dynamics to the floor, from the graceful lines of women’s groups to the powerful throws of men's pairs.

Skills in Acrobatic Gymnastics

In competition, routines are made up of three types of elements:

• Balance Skills involve strength, poise, and stability. You’ll see athletes holding handstands on top of each other, forming intricate pyramids, or balancing in elegant poses.

• Dynamic Skills are the “wow” moments — throws, somersaults, catches, and flights through the air. These skills demonstrate explosive power and incredible timing.

• Combined Routines bring together both balance and dynamic elements, along with a strong focus on artistry, choreography, and musical interpretation.

Tumbling elements like round-offs, flicks, somersaults, and handsprings are often woven between partner skills, making routines flow smoothly across the floor.

Grades and Progression

Acrobatic gymnastics is structured to allow athletes to progress through levels, gaining skills and experience along the way. In the UK, for example, athletes often start at Grade 1, and can work their way up through Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, and into the FIG (International Federation of Gymnastics) Levels such as Age Group, Junior, and Senior for elite athletes.

Each grade has specific skill requirements that build progressively harder. For instance:

• Grade 1 might include basic partner balances and simple tumbles.

• Grade 3 could involve handstands, cartwheels on partners, and small throws.

• Grade 5 and above require more complex skills like double somersaults, intricate pyramids, and one-arm handstands.

Athletes are judged on the execution of their skills, the artistry of their routines, and the difficulty level of their elements.

A Sport of Trust and Teamwork

At its heart, acrobatic gymnastics is about trust. 'Flyers' or 'Tops' (those on top) must have complete confidence in their bases (those supporting them), and vice versa. Success isn’t just about athletic ability; it’s about communication, timing, and working as one.

Whether performing graceful lifts or daring throws, acrobatic gymnasts captivate audiences with a unique mix of strength, beauty, and courage.