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What you must know before buying your FIG certified Rhythmic Gymnastics apparatus
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In this post
In this post, we will answer the following questions:
- What are the various pieces of equipment required for Rhythmic Gymnastics?
- Should they be FIG certified, and why
- How to recognize a FIG-approved apparatus?
- What are the main requirements to be FIG-approved?
Rhythmic Gymnastics is a versatile sport that combines dance, calisthenics, and gymnastics. It is performed using various equipment such as hoops, balls, clubs, ropes, or ribbons. It is vital for athletes participating in FIG sanctioned competitions to use only FIG certified equipment.
Using non-FIG certified Rhythmic Gymnastics equipment can result in disqualification of the team.
We understand that it can be challenging, even confusing, to find genuine FIG-approved Rhythmic Gymnastics equipment. That is why we’ve created this complete guide. It covers everything you need to know—what equipment is used, their features, how to identify whether it’s FIG-approved or not.
What are the various R.G. hand apparatus?
The FIG lists six hand apparatuses for Rhythmic Gymnastics:
- Rope
- Hoop
- Ball
- Clubs
- Ribbon
- Ribbon sticks (aka ribbon cane)
What is FIG, and why does it matter?
FIG stands for Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique. It is also known as the International Gymnastics Federation. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, it is the governing body for gymnastics worldwide. As such, it regulates and sets the rules for all official competitions for Rhythmic Gymnastics and all other types of gymnastics. One of the many things that the FIG does is set standards for the apparatuses used during competitions.
Remember
- If you don't have FIG-certified apparatuses, you will not be able to participate in competitions sanctioned by the FIG.
What brands make FIG-approved R.G. apparatus?
Brands that sell Rhythmic Gymnastics equipment for competition purposes need to be FIG approved. After earning the FIG certificate, brands can then affix a “FIG-approved” logo onto their equipment.
The four main brands that make FIG-approved equipment are SASAKI and CHACOTT from Japan and PASTORELLI and VENTURELLI from Italy. Athletes use equipment from all four brands during individual and group competitions, but SASAKI seems to be the preferred brand for athletes in recent years.
SASAKI is a Japan-based sports equipment manufacturer. Over the years, SASAKI has grown from being the official brand for the Bulgarian team to teams from other countries as well. During the last Tokyo 2020 Olympics, several teams proudly sported equipment from SASAKI.
With almost 50 certified references, SASAKI has the largest FIG-approved catalog among all brands.
Remember
- Choose a brand certified by the FIG and who follows the FIG apparatus norms, like SASAKI from Japan.
How do I know if an apparatus is FIG-approved or not?
That's an easy one because, well... the logo will be on the product! All FIG-certified Rhythmic Gymnastics equipment must have the “FIG-approved” logo on them. The latest requirement is that the logo should be fixed (removable stickers are not allowed anymore) so avoid purchasing equipment with the old removable stickers.
If you’re unsure what the official “FIG-approved” logo looks like, we’ve included a picture:
When you buy from us at NISHOHI, you do not need to worry about sub-standard equipment or non-FIG-approved apparatus as we sell only original, certified SASAKI products - each with the genuine, latest, “FIG-approved” seal.
Remember
- Ensure the FIG Approved seal on the apparatus that you buy, not a removable sticker.
How to recognize if a SASAKI product is FIG-approved?
For SASAKI, all FIG-approved products have a model name that ends with "-F". For example, an "M-207M-F" ball will be FIG certified but an "M-21C" will not. An "MJ-715-F" ribbon is FIG approved but an "M-714" is not. So that's the meaning of the "-F" at the end of SASAKI model names.
When you’re purchasing competition-worthy apparatus, please check for the “-F” at the end of SASAKI model names.
What are the FIG rules for the R.G. apparatus?
For each of the hand apparatuses, here are the requirements from the FIG:
BALL:
- Material: Rubber or soft plastic. Antistatic
- Weight: 400 g. min.
- Diameter: 18 ~ 20 cm for both Senior and Junior gymnasts
- Color: Optional but bright colors are preferred.
CLUBS:
- Material: Wood or synthetics
- Length: 40 ~ 50 cm for both Seniors and Juniors
- Weight (unwrapped): 150 g. min. per club
- Shape: Bottle shape
- Head Diameter (the ball at the end of the club): 30 mm max.
- Color: Optional but bright colors are preferred
- Can be wrapped as long as the "FIG approved" logo stays visible
- The head of the clubs must be fixed to the neck of the apparatus and shall not rotate
HOOP:
- Material: Wood or synthetic material
- Weight (unwrapped):
300 g. min. for Seniors
260 g. min. for Juniors - Inner diameter (interior diameter):
80 ~ 90 cm for Seniors
70 ~ 90 cm for Juniors - Color: Optional but bright colors are preferred.
- Can be wrapped as long as the "FIG approved" logo stays visible
RIBBON:
- Material: Satin or similar
- Total Length:
6m min. in one piece for Seniors
5m min. for Juniors - The part at which the ribbon is attached to the cane is doubled in a length of 1 m ± 0,1 m
- Weight (without the cane):
35 g. min. for Seniors
30 g. min. for Juniors - Width: 4 ~ 6 cm
- Color: Optional but bright colors are preferred
- Must have 2 FIG-Approved logos, one at the beginning (stick's side) and one at the end of the ribbon
RIBBON STICK (RIBBON CANE):
For the cane:
- Material: Wood, bamboo, fiberglass, aluminum, or synthetics
- Length: 50 ~ 60 cm
- Diameter: max. 10 mm at the thickest point
- Shape: cylindrical or conic. A grip made of anti-slip material is allowed on the handle with a length of 10 cm max.
- Colour: Optional
For the fixture (swivel):
- Material: cord, nylon thread or similar item, or moveable ring like a metallic swivel attached to the cane.
- Length: 70 mm max.
ROPE:
- Material: Hemp or similar suitable material
- Length: Optional for both Seniors and Juniors
- Thickness: Uniform or reinforced in the center
- Shape: Both ends can be with or without knots. No wooden handle. Can be wrapped with a thin nonslip material in a length corresponding to the width of a hand
- Color: Optional but bright colors are preferred
To learn more about FIG's rules, you can visit FIG's website here: https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/rules/.
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