Men’s Artistic Gymnastics is for boys and men of all ages. The six apparatus in MAG requires the skilful combination of flips, balance, stretch, spin and landings. Gymnasts are invited into this stream once the talent has been identified. If a parent believes their child has the talent for this stream, an assessment can be organised with the Program Supervisor.
Athletes progress through a levels-based program gradually increasing with skill difficulty. Emphasis is on execution of routines as cleanly as possible showing strength, control and flexibility. The Australian Levels Program has 10 levels with the foundation levels being level 1 and 2.
At NGSC we currently offer a level 1 class training 1.5 hours per week, a level 2 class training 2 hours a week and a level 3 to 5 class training 3 hours per week.
There are six competitive apparatus in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG):
Floor – an exercise in pure acrobatics, alternating between powerful tumbling series and the composure necessary for balance and strength elements.
Pommel Horse – routines mostly involve circles of the legs together and pendulous, scissor swings with the legs split, spectacularly combining these movements while turning and travelling along the horse.
Rings – difficult combination of strength and swinging elements requiring control, strength and balance in the forward and backward swings and strength holds.
Vault – a 25m sprint creates the necessary power to explode from the board before the dynamic push off the table, to generate greater height for rotations and flight before landing on the other side.
Parallel Bars – routines require swinging above and below the bars with acrobatic flight, changes of directions and precise balances, ending in a dramatic dismount off the side or the end of the bars.
Horizontal Bar – a spectacular apparatus, largely due to the combination and variation of giant swings, acrobatic releases and re-grasp flight elements. The high dismounts from the bar allow the gymnast to show his acrobatic talents and landing prowess.
Here at Nunawading Gymnastics and Sports Club, we offer MAG Development which feeds into National MAG program Levels 1 – 7.
The primary aim of the National program is to produce athletes that are capable of qualifying for the Victorian Team to compete at the National Championships and potentially to make the Open Levels Tour as a level 9 or 10 athlete.
