Floor Exercise Archives - American Gymnast and Ninja

New Floor and Vault Gymnastics DVD with Paul Hamm

amgym — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:12:10 +0000

Olympic champion, Paul Hamm, is the featured coach in a brand new gymnastics DVD instruction for Floor Exercise and Vault.

Titled “Essentials for Floor Exercise and Vault,” this is a 3 disc DVD set that has a running time of 4-1/2 hours. Here’s a sample clip of what you can expect.

More details from the DVD Producer:

This comprehensive three-DVD set is a must-have resource for both female and male gymnasts and coaches at any level. The program provides personal lessons from World Champion and a three-time Olympic medalist, Paul Hamm.

The DVD set is designed to teach the essential skills, drills and progressions for floor exercise and vault. Paul starts with the basics and then moves on to more advanced and elite level gymnastics. Paul shares with you all of the tips and tricks that helped him become one of the top gymnasts in the world.

Another feature of this DVD set is detailed video analysis, using voice over, drawing tools and slow motion. This method of teaching is extremely beneficial and will help you develop a deeper understanding of the complicated techniques in gymnastics.

Purchase DVD>>

About Paul Hamm:

Paul Hamm is the most accomplished male gymnast in the United States history. He has a total of eight World and Olympic medals. In 2003, Paul became a World All-Around Champion and also a World Champion on the Floor Exercise. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Paul became the first American to win the coveted All-Around gold medal. Paul has spent his life dedicated to mastering the complicated techniques in gymnastics. He has coached all levels from beginner to elite. Paul was quoted as saying, “The use of technology and video analysis was a tremendous tool that greatly benefited my training.”; Paul now coaches gymnasts throughout the country utilizing state of the art video analysis technology. To receive online lessons and video analysis from Paul Hamm, please visit his website at http://www.paulhamm.com.

The post New Floor and Vault Gymnastics DVD with Paul Hamm appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

Recent Upgrades on American Athletic Equipment

amgym — Thu, 12 May 2011 03:02:14 +0000

From time to time, there are instances when an AAI product can be made even better, or revised so that a gymnast can use it to their best potential and increase their skill level. That being said, a few changes have been made in the last year on some of the AAI products.

New washers added to the Stratum Vault Board

AAI’s Stratum Vault Board is a staple in most gyms across the country. It was found that some of the springs were starting to cut through the wood boards at the top, while tearing the rubber bumber off. To prevent the wearing, 2 washers and a t-nut have been added to the board. By adding these, the spring will now rest on the washers and not wear in the board. Any Stratum Vault boards currently in production are now made with this upgrade.

New International Ring Assembly

Many of you are aware the Ring Tower is the tallest gymnastics apparatus and can be one of the most difficult to adjust. If the rings are not level with each other it is very difficult to get them adjusted without taking down the full system. Now at AAI we have added an adjustment on the ring cable assembly to help alleviate the frustration. We have added an adjustment collar above the swivel so you can adjust the ring length by a twist of the wrist. This addition will take effect in the next 3-4 weeks in production, and will be sent out on all orders for new Ring Towers.

ELITE Spring Deck Nylon Floor Strap Improvement

Currently, AAI’s Elite Spring Deck accessory package includes aluminum channel brackets and 13 durable nylon straps, with 26 hooks to hold the floor assembly. In this assembly, one end of the hook has 2 D rings to help hold the strap tight and prevent loosening. It was brought to our attention that athletes noticed a lump where the D rings laid on top of the floor. To ensure athletes have the best equipment, we have removed the D rings and designed a new hook that has 2 slots where you can intertwine the strap, similar to the D ring to keep it taunt. With this adjustment, it removed the lump in the floor and provides a cleaner appearance. This change will take effect in the next 3-4 weeks in production; therefore, all accessory packages after this will be sent out with the new version of hook.

If you have any questions about these updates, or would like to place an order, please call American Gymnast at 1-877-789-2267.

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton

American Gymnast

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AAI ELITE Floor Exercise – Assembly Video

amgym — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:14:36 +0000

In this gymnastics equipment video we will show you how to set up your AAI ELITE Floor Exercise.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN ASSEMBLY:

1. The AAI Floor Exercise consists of 25 packages

1 – 432341 – 2-board packages, containing the panels
1 – 432342 – Accessory package – 8 boxes of springs, 2 boxes of H-Channels and a box of straps
12 –432344 – 4-board packages, containing panels
1 – 432355 – retainer package, containing the bottom retainers

2. Check to make sure you have received all the packages and have the parts listed above.

3. The only tool you will need for assembly is a chalk line.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Unpack the panels, springs and retainers.

2. On each panel, insert a spring and bottom retainer into the top retainers on the bottom of the panel. Put the bottom retainer onto the spring, then push the other end of the spring into the top retainer. You may have a few extra springs and retainers when you are finished.

3. Determine where the floor is to be located. Using a chalk line, mark the outside border on two sides at right angles to one another. Refer to the figure on the following page for chalk line locations.

4. Put the first panel assembly in the corner where the two chalk lines meet. Place the panel in position with spring side down.

5. Put the next panel into place as shown. Connect the panels together using the aluminum connectors. To attach the connectors, slide the channel onto the first panel, then slide the second panel into the channel on the opposite side of the connector. Note the way the 12” H-channels w/Rivet are installed at the 3 board intersections. The rivet eliminates the movement of the channels during use. Failure to follow this procedure will damage your floor!!!

6. Refer to the figure below. This shows the entire floor layout. Follow the pattern shown. Connect the entire floor using the aluminum H-channels. The straight lines represent the 6” channel. The O’s represent the 3 board intersections where 12” channels w/rivet will be used. Please follow these instructions carefully to insure the best performance and durability of your floor and prevent damage to the floor panels.

7. Attach a strap with the sewn hook to the center of each panel as shown.

8. Attach the remaining hook with the D-rings to the opposite side of the floor. Refer to the figure at right. Thread the strap through the D-rings as shown, pull the strap tight, hooking the Velcro to itself. Repeat for all straps. Your final strap configuration is shown in the figure below.

9. Your floor is now ready to be covered with foam and carpet. AAI recommends using 2” of cross linked foam under your carpet.

USE OF THIS EQUIPMENT:

1. Your floor is designed to be used with a foam and carpet top surface. Do not use without a top surface.

2. Your floor is manufactured from a highly resilient composite material that is resistant to breakage and cracking. You must still, however, inspect your floor regularly to ensure the integrity of the panels.

3. Check the straps regularly and tighten as needed.

4. An optional border system is available that will provide additional protection around the working surface. Contact American Gymnast for product information.

For more information regarding gymnastics equipment, mats, gymnastics grips and supplies, go to http://wwww.american-gymnast.com.

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton
American Gymnast

The post AAI ELITE Floor Exercise – Assembly Video appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.

When to Replace a Floor Exercise

amgym — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:58:44 +0000

This question comes from Kimberly. She asks American Gymnast:

“How often does a gymnastics floor exercise need to be replaced if both team kids and recreation kids are using the same floor? If you don’t replace a floor often enough, can team kids end up with more foot, knee and back injuries because of it?”

The longevity of a Floor Exercise depends on a lot of factors. The number of kids that are tumbling on the floor, as well as their skill level will affect how long the floor lasts. A floor that has only recreation kids tumbling on it is going to last longer than a floor that has recreation and team kids tumbling on it. You might know the best place to buy sarms and are using it every day to get the best workout results, but even gyms with competitive cheerleading squads will also wear out a floor faster than those without them.

The type of floor and foam you have will also have a big impact on how long your floor exercise lasts. Spring floors will last longer than foam block floors. Fiberglass coated wood panels will last longer than standard plywood.

The foam you use on your floor will make the biggest difference on how long your floor feels springy. You have the choice of one of the following types of foam to put on top of your floor deck:

1-3/8” Cross-Link Foam
1-1/2” TriLam Foam
2” Cross-Link Foam
2” QuadLam Foam

The thicker foam is going to last longer, and either the TriLam or the QuadLam is going to last longer than the Cross-Link Foam. The Cross-Link foam is less expensive, but over time will break down faster and leave you with those dreaded “dead-spots” in the floor.

You should regularly walk across every part of your floor, particularly the diagonals and the corners, to feel for any dead or separated spots in the foam and/or broken boards. Be sure to replace or repair these as soon as you find them.

Though, I am not aware of any objective data substantiating it, I can say from personal experience as a competitive gymnast that “yes,” a floor that is older with worn-out or old foam is definitely harder on a gymnast’s body. I definitely had more pain in my lower back and, in particular, my ankles when tumbling on a worn-out floor. I took the advice of the website which helps people with injuries to ease the pain. So, personally, I think that making sure your floor exercise is in tip-top shape could help to reduce the number of injuries your gymnasts experience on this event.

Thanks for the question to Ask American Gymnast Kimberly! Be on the lookout for a $20 off coupon to use on your next order with American Gymnast.

SPECIAL OFFER –>> Buy any Complete Floor Exercise System, and Save $1000!
At Checkout, use Coupon Code: AGFX0612 (Coupon Expires June, 30, 2010)

Train Smart. Compete Hard!

Jay Thornton
American Gymnast

The post When to Replace a Floor Exercise appeared first on American Gymnast and Ninja.