The most popular and visible form is the dusty powder you're used to seeing during gymnastics meets, but it also can come in solid blocks or even liquid form. Essentially, the chalk is used for two main purposes.
First, it absorbs the sweat off of gymnasts' hands, helping them keep a better grip on apparatuses such as the parallel or uneven bars. Second, it actually decreases the friction between the hands and the apparatus, allowing gymnasts to move more smoothly on the bars and avoid friction-related injuries.
As you might have noticed, gymnasts don't just use chalk on their hands. For example, female gymnasts will often use chalk on their feet as well as their hands before performing a routine on the balance beam. Again, it's much for the same reasons: to absorb sweat and assist with grip and movement. Using the substance is completely within the rules of gymnastics and is an expected part of most gymnasts' performances. Although most gymnasts stick to the traditional chalk powder, a few of them have made more unusual choices to assist their grip.
A Wall Street Journal article revealed one gymnast used honey mixed with chalk , while others have used golden syrup or, on one particularly unusual occasion, melted-down gummy bears. Surprisingly, those substances aren't against the rules either, as long as it doesn't leave a mess behind. Amazon shoppers are living in these on-sale joggers: 'OMG these are the most comfortable pants I've ever owned!
Dust like nobody's watching. Save up to 50 percent on air purifiers, weighted blankets and more. As indispensable as chalk is for gymnastics training and competitions, those who are responsible for gym upkeep must ensure that equipment -- including mats, balance beams, vaults, trampolines and uneven parallel bars -- don't have an excess build-up of chalk dust.
Heavy use of chalk on and near gymnastics equipment can cause layers of chalk residue to accumulate over time, which can have a negative impact on safety. Judy Fisk has been writing professionally since , specializing in fitness, recreation, culture and the arts.
A certified fitness instructor with decades of dance training, she has taught older adults, teens and kids. She has written educational and fundraising material for several non-profit organizations and her work has appeared in numerous major online publications.
Fisk holds a Bachelor of Arts in public and international affairs from Princeton University. Live Healthy Sports. By Judy Fisk. Swimming Lesson Accessories for Beginners. Chalk Talk Gymnastics -- or gym -- chalk is composed of magnesium carbonate, which explains why some gymnasts refer to chalk as "mag. Healthy Living. Now You Know. Latest Fitness. Get Daily Fitness Inspiration Right in your inbox. Customize Select the topics that interest you:. Working Out.
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