★Guide
What is rhythmic gymnastics?
A parent's guide, by Coach Adriana Vivas
Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport for girls that combines gymnastics, ballet and dance with five apparatus: rope, ball, hoop, clubs and ribbon. Unlike artistic gymnastics (bars, beam, vault), rhythmic is performed to music on a floor carpet, emphasizing grace, flexibility, coordination and expression.
The five apparatus
Rope
Jumps, skips and agility, usually the first apparatus little girls master.
Ball
Rolls, balances and throws that teach softness and control.
Hoop
Rotations and passes through, the most versatile apparatus.
Clubs
Rhythm and ambidexterity, small circles, mills and throws.
Ribbon
The icon of the sport: spirals, snakes and grand throws.
Benefits for girls
Research and 15+ years of coaching agree, rhythmic gymnastics develops:
Posture and elegant body control
Flexibility, coordination and strength
Focus and discipline that transfer to school
Confidence performing in front of people
Musicality and artistic expression
Friendships in a team that feels like family
What age should she start?
Between 3 and 5 is the sweet spot to build foundations through play, but it's never too late: our recreational groups welcome girls up to 12, and toddlers can start at 18 months in Mommy & Me. The only requirement is wanting to try.
Rhythmic vs. artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics centers on power, vault, bars, beam and tumbling. Rhythmic centers on grace: apparatus handling, dance and flexibility to music. For many girls, rhythmic is the gentler, more expressive path, with all the discipline and athleticism of a serious sport.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Grace, apparatus handling and dance to music
- Performed on floor carpet, no bars, beam or vault
- Expressive, artistic and deeply musical
Artistic Gymnastics
- Power-focused: vault, uneven bars, beam, floor
- Tumbling, flips and strength elements
- Technical, high-impact and physically demanding
Questions parents ask
At Miami's Stars: $105/month for once a week, $170 for twice, $210 for three times. Annual registration is $35 and the uniform $75. The first class is free.
Comfortable clothes she can move in, hair tied up, and a water bottle. No special gear needed for the trial.
Yes, it's low-impact compared to artistic gymnastics. Our classes are led by USAG-certified coaches with age-appropriate equipment and progressions.
Yes. Our USAG competitive team competes in levels 3-8 and Xcel at regional and national championships, plus our own MSG Cup each year.
Three locations: José Martí Gym in Brickell, our Coral Gables studio at 1727 SW 32nd Ave, and Blue Fury Sports Complex in Opa-Locka.
Adriana Vivas
Ex-Venezuelan national team gymnast · 2× World Gymnastics for All participant · USA Gymnastics (USAG) certified coach
Learn more →The best way to know? Try it.
Her first class is free at any of our three Miami locations.
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