Elements
Introduction
Aerobic Gymnastics elements are classified into one of four groups: Dynamic strength elements (such as pushups, explosive pushups, explosive supports and leg circles), Static strength elements (including supports and planches), Jumps and leaps (including those landing in split or pushup positions), and Balance and flexibility elements.
Aerobics would not be what it is without the seven basic Aerobic steps: The march, the jog, the skip, the knee lift, the kick, the jack and the lunge. These steps, combined with arm movements, appear frequently in exercises.
Though not counted as Aerobic elements, lifts are an important part of Aerobic routines. At least one lift, where a gymnast is fully supported by his or her partner or teammates and lifted to shoulder level or higher, is compulsory for routines in Mixed Pair, Trio and Group. Lifts can be quite creative, much to the delight of the crowd.
About Aerobic Gymnastics
Flairs
A skill in which the gymnast alternates balancing the torso between either arm while swinging his or her legs beneath in continuous circles. Neither the legs nor feet touch the ground during the flair. A few gymnasts can even do flairs while rotating their torso around the vertical axis of their body mid-flair.
Support variations
Supports are tests of upper body strength in which the gymnast, often beginning in a sitting position, lifts his or her hips, legs and feet off the ground, supporting the body only with the hands. The best gymnasts can rotate in two full circles while supporting their bodyweight and changing their hand placements. All support elements must be held for at least two seconds.
HighVSupport
An element in which the gymnast starts in a sitting position with hands on the floor behind each hip and one leg bent toward chest, then kicks upwards, lifting the body off the floor until the back is parallel with the thighs. This element may be done with a twist at the end.
Balance turns
Elements in which the gymnast, propelled by momentum from the legs and arms, rotates on one foot along the vertical axis. The free foot in a turn can be in various positions, including passé, scale, or most spectacularly, held above the head.
Leaps and jumps
Leaps and jumps both make up an integral part of Aerobic routines. Leaps take off and land on one foot, while jumps showing the tuck, pike, split or straddle positions with twists are common. Unlike in other Gymnastics disciplines, however, both can often end not standing up, but in a pushup or split position.
Illusion turn
A special turn in which the working leg aligned with the torso while a 360 degree spin is executed as while the torso pivots down and then back up at the hip simultaneously.
Planche
A support element also seen in Artistic Gymnastics in which the gymnast balances on his or her hands with the rest of the body horizontal and parallel to the floor. This element, which requires both strength and balance, gives the impression that the gymnast is floating on air when done well. Planches can be performed in a number of positions, and the best combine it with a Wenson pushup, thereby increasing its Difficulty value.
Off axis jump
A spectacular jump with a one footed takeoff in which the gymnast kicks their free leg upward diagonally. While airborne, the body inclines backward, out of axis with longitudinal rotation(s) in a tuck or straight position, and the arms held close to the chest. The gymnast lands either on one foot or in a split.
