Clubs (rhythmic gymnastics)

Clubs are one of the five apparatuses used in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics. Along with the ball, hoop, ribbon, and rope, clubs are performed by gymnasts to show their skill, balance, and strength.

Erika Akiyama performing with clubs in 1988

In rhythmic gymnastics, performers throw and catch clubs while moving around the floor. This requires good coordination and practice. The clubs look like small rods with weights on both ends, making them spin and shine during routines.

Rhythmic gymnastics with clubs is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. It is a beautiful way to combine dance, sport, and art, and it helps build flexibility and focus.

History

Georges Demenÿ introduced wooden sticks with balls on the end for his exercises. At the same time, Indian clubs became popular in Western gymnastics. Early clubs looked different, from wires with balls to ones more like juggling clubs. Over time, they became lighter and thinner with a smaller head. In 1928, they were first used in competition in Hungary, and in 1938, a group clubs routine was included at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Concha Corrales training with an older style of clubs in 1973

Clubs were used in team portable apparatus competitions for women at the Olympics in 1952 and 1956 before the event was discontinued. Clubs became an official rhythmic gymnastics apparatus in 1973. From 2001 to 2012, each apparatus had a compulsory body group of movements; for clubs, this was balance elements.

Specifications and technique

Clubs used in rhythmic gymnastics can be made from wood or synthetic materials and come in any color, often with decorations. They must be between 400 and 500 mm long and weigh at least 150g.

Gymnasts can hold the clubs in different ways, but usually, they hold each club by its small end, one in each hand. One of the big challenges is using both clubs at the same time and making uneven moves with them. Clubs are also harder to catch after throwing because they spin in unpredictable ways.

Elements

In rhythmic gymnastics, athletes perform many tricks with clubs. They might toss one or both clubs into the air, balance a club on a tiny part of their body or on another club, and move the clubs in circles.

Some special moves include swinging the clubs in small circles with one delayed behind the other, spinning the clubs around a body part or another club, tapping the clubs together or on the floor, and rolling the clubs over the body or floor. They also do throws where they catch the clubs after one full spin in the air, and move the two clubs in different ways at the same time.