Wheel gymnastics facts for kids
Wheel gymnastics is a cool sport that started in Germany. It's a type of gymnastics where athletes perform amazing moves inside a big, round wheel. This special wheel is often called a Rhönrad, a gym wheel, or a German wheel.
Gymnasts do different kinds of exercises. There are three main types: straight line, spiral, and vault. Each type involves unique ways of moving with the wheel.
How Wheel Gymnastics Started
The idea for wheel gymnastics came from a man named Otto Feick. He was the son of a blacksmith in Reichenbach, Germany. When Otto was a child, he loved to roll down hills inside two wagon tires. This fun childhood activity later inspired him to create the first gymnastics wheel.
He invented wheel gymnastics between 1920 and 1922. Over the years, the sport grew and changed. In 1974, the wheels got a new design with a special PVC coating. This made the wheels even better for gymnasts.
Where It's Popular
Today, wheel gymnastics is a competitive sport. Athletes from many countries practice it. You can find wheel gymnasts in places like Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, and the United States of America.
Types of Exercises
In wheel gymnastics, athletes perform different kinds of routines. The three main types of exercises are:
- Straight Line: In these exercises, the gymnast and the wheel move mostly in a straight line. The wheel might roll, or the gymnast might balance inside it while it moves.
- Spiral: For spiral exercises, the wheel rolls in a circle or a spiral shape. The gymnast uses their body to control the wheel's movement, making it spin and turn.
- Vault: Vaulting is when the gymnast jumps out of the wheel while it's moving and then lands back on their feet. It's a very exciting and difficult part of the sport!
See also
In Spanish: Rueda alemana para niños
