Tumbling Gymnastics

What Is Tumbling Gymnastics?

Tumbling Gymnastics is a high-energy discipline within the sport of gymnastics that focuses on performing continuous acrobatic movements — such as flips, twists, handsprings, and somersaults — along a 25-metre sprung track known as a power track.

Unlike artistic gymnastics, tumbling does not involve apparatuses like beams or bars. Instead, it emphasizes speed, power, and precision as athletes execute a series of connected skills in a straight line. These sequences, called passes, typically consist of up to eight elements and are judged based on difficulty, execution, and form.

Tumbling routines showcase:

• Explosive strength and momentum
• Dynamic aerial skills
• Controlled landings
• Fluid transitions between movements

It is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) and is part of Trampoline Gymnastics in official competitions. While tumbling is not currently an Olympic event, it features prominently in the World Games, European Games, and other international competitions.

Tumbling is ideal for gymnasts who enjoy fast-paced, acrobatic movement and want to focus on floor-based skills without the complexity of multiple apparatuses. It’s also a foundational discipline that supports development in other gymnastics areas.