Welcome to the Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) page on the CHP. We here at the CHP believe that RG is the most beautiful sport ever created. It involves expressive, dynamic movements of the body, and of an apparatus. But, the apparatus is not what most (artistic) gymnasts think of when speaking about an apparatus. In rhythmic gymnastics, the apparatus is a small rope, hoop, ball, ribbon, or pair of clubs. The rhythmic gymnast must have excellent hand-eye-coordination to perform complex movements with the apparatus. The apparatus are often thrown high into the air and caught in risky positions, which requires an extremely high ceiling in the gym for competition.

RG was first recognized by the International Gymnastics Federation in 1962, and the first World Championships was held the following year. It was not until 1984 that RG was accepted as an Olympic sport for the games in Los Angeles. Up to two rhythmic gymnasts per country can qualify for the Olympics if they place high enough in qualifying competitions.

To reach the elite levels of RG competition requires physical conditioning that very few athletes can comprehend. Rhythmic gymnasts require a complete mastery of body control. They must have the strength to jump high, and to contract any muscles necessary to redirect their motion. They must be flexible enough to move effortlessly through positions that would be impossible for most people. They must also have the grace, musicality, balance, and expressiveness of a ballet dancer, combined with the hand-eye-coordination of a juggler. Rhythmic gymnasts are without question among the most highly trained athletes, and deserve every bit of the respect and admiration that we pay them here at the CHP.

The flexibility training techniques that are used in rhythmic gymnastics have taken the principles of contortion, dance, and acrobatics ... and expanded upon them. We show below some amazing examples of how flexibility training is being implemented among elite rhythmic gymnasts.