This glossary was created to explain and define important vocabulary related to gymnastics. The purpose of this glossary is to help students better understand the key terms, movements, skills, and equipment used in the sport. Gymnastics includes many technical words that can sometimes be confusing, especially for beginners or people who are new to the sport.
I made this glossary to organize the most important gymnastics terms in one clear and simple pace. It can be used as a study tool, a reference guide, or a way to improve understanding during training or class discussions. By learning and reviewing these terms, readers can build confidence, improve communication, and deepen their knowledge of gymnastics.
Back handspring
noun
A back handspring (or flic-flac) is a fundamental gymnastics and cheerleading skill where a performer jumps backward from a standing position, lands on their hands in a handstand shape, and then snaps their feet down to land on their feet.
Example: She has an amazing back handspring.
en: Saut de mains arrière
Backflip
noun
A backward somersault done in the air with the arms and legs stretched out straight.
Example: I can do a backflip on a trampoline.
en: Saut périlleux arrière
Balance
Noun
An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.
Example: The gymnast showed excellent balance while performing her routine on the beam.
en: Balance
Balance beam
noun
A mechanical weighing instrument used to determine the mass of an object by comparing it to known standard masses.
Example: She is on the balance beam.
en: Poutre
Cartwheel
noun
A circular sideways handspring with the arms and legs extended.
Example: I am going to do a cartwheel.
en: Grande-roue
Chalk
noun
A soft white limestone (calcium carbonate) formed from the skeletal remains of sea creatures.
en: Magnésie (or craie)
Dismount
noun
A move in which a gymnast jumps off an apparatus or completes a floor exercise.
Example: She had a perfect dismount.
en: Sortie
Flexibility
noun
The quality of bending easily without breaking.
Example: That girl has a lot of flexibility.
en: Flexibilité
Floor
noun
Floor gymnastics (or floor exercise) is an artistic gymnastics discipline performed on a meter spring-loaded floor mat. Athletes execute routines combining tumbling passes, flips, leaps, and dance, showcasing strength, agility, and flexibility.
Example: She did an amazing routine on the floor.
en: Sol
Handstand
noun
An act of balancing on one's hands with one's feet in the air or against a wall.
Example: She is doing a handstand.
en: Chandelle
Landing
noun
The final, controlled phase of a skill, dismount, or routine where the gymnast brings their body to a complete halt, absorbing impact through their knees, hips, and ankles.
Example: She performed a perfect landing.
en: Atterrissage
Parallel bars
noun
A pair of parallel rails mounted on posts, used in gymnastics.
Example: The same goes for U.S. gymnast Sunisa Lee on the parallel bars.
en: Barres parallèles
Pommel horse
noun
A vaulting horse fitted with a pair of curved handgrips, used for a gymnastic exercise consisting of swings of the legs and body.
Example: The gymnast showed great control on the pommel horse.
en: Cheval d'arçons
Rings
noun
A men’s artistic gymnastics discipline requiring immense upper-body strength, stability, and control.
Example: The gymnast showed a strong position on the rings.
en: Anneaux
Routine
noun
A gymnastics routine is a choreographed, continuous sequence of movements, skills, and tumbling passes performed on a specific apparatus or floor, lasting a set duration.
Example: She performed a well-executed routine.
en: Routine
Split
noun
An act of leaping in the air or sitting down with the legs straight and at right angles to the upright body, one in front and the other behind, or one at each side.
Example: She has her split.
en: Grand écart
Trampoline
noun
A piece of equipment consisting of a strong fabric sheet connected by springs to a frame, used as a springboard and landing area in doing acrobatic or gymnastic exercises.
Example: The trampoline is in the yard.
en: Trampoline
Tumbling
noun
perform acrobatic or gymnastic exercises, typically handsprings and somersaults in the air.
Example: The gymnast went tumbling across the mat with impressive speed and control.
en: acrobatie
Uneven bars
noun
The uneven bars, or asymmetric bars, are a Women's artistic gymnastics apparatus consisting of two horizontal steel-framed bars, typically coated in wood or fiberglass, positioned at different heights. Gymnasts perform continuous swinging, circling, and release moves between the bars, with the lower bar used for support and the higher bar for dynamic, aerial maneuvers.
Example: She performs well on the uneven bars.
en: Barres asymétriques
Vault
noun
An athletic event in which competitors vault over a padded wooden block.
Example: The gymnast performed a powerful vault and landed perfectly.
