Acrobatic gymnastics is how we both first got into gymnastics - using your partner(s) as apparatus rather than rings, bars etc. Learning to balance on one another, get pitched into the air to do somersaults and land back on the supporters, and so forth. Like ordinary gymnastics, it demands a lot of training, developing balance and strength, flexibility etc but also trust in each other within the group (two or four, formally, for the guys) and developing a sixth sense of knowing how each other is thinking, confidence in being caught and landed safely, and so forth. Today's post celebrates this style, both with teams who are world champions and also groups of guys who have just got together to try something. If this second idea attracts you, good luck but always think about safety - there are standard positions to catch guys coming down from on top, for example, so seek expert coaching help. Plenty of safety mats around for new starters is an essential. But it is fun, and world champ...

Apart from a sense of balance, handstands (at least, the properly shaped ones) require good core strength. It's always a great feeling to achieve a better handstand (or planche)... Yes, there are plenty of training exercises! Perhaps not the best place to do handstands?     Finally, just check out this amazing little guy:    

In men's artistic gymnastics, you are faced with six pieces of apparatus requiring strength, flexibility, endurance - and super fitness. Which is why we so much enjoy coaching it! Let's join the lads in their various gymnasiums (or 'Turnhalle' - tumbling hall in German since Gymnasium in German means High School - don't ask us why!). Training, skills and seriously fit physiques on show today. It all takes dedication and a great deal of determination.