• Introduction
• Brief History and Origins of the Discipline
• What Is Aesthetic Gymnastics?
• How Is It Practised?
• Technical Foundations of Aesthetic Gymnastics
• Why Can You Be Penalised?
• Aesthetic Gymnastics in Spain
• Differences and Similarities with Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Use of Apparatus in Training
• Who Is Aesthetic Gymnastics Recommended For?
• Conclusion

What Is Aesthetic Gymnastics?

For a few years now, a gymnastics discipline has been gaining prominence both inside and outside Europe: Aesthetic Group Gymnastics, also known as AGG (Aesthetic Group Gymnastics). Although it is still relatively new in Spain, this discipline has a long tradition in northern European countries, especially in Finland, where it is deeply rooted.

Brief History and Origins of the Discipline

Although the term "Aesthetic Gymnastics" may sound recent, its origins go back to the early 20th century. At the first Olympic Games with female participation, artistic gymnastics teams already included group freestyle routines with an aesthetic basis, very similar to what we know today as AGG.

Finland has been the pioneering country in systematising this discipline and taking it to international competition. The sport has been practised there since the 1950s, and it was there that the first international competitions were launched in 1996. Finland also hosted the creation of the International Federation (IFAGG) in 2003.

What Is Aesthetic Gymnastics?

Aesthetic Gymnastics is a group discipline that combines broad, expressive and harmonious body movements. These are performed to music, with a particular focus on synchronisation, body expression and teamwork.

How Is It Practised?

It is performed on a 13 x 13 metre carpet, by teams of between 6 and 14 gymnasts (mixed or all-female), with routines lasting between 2 minutes 15 seconds and 2 minutes 45 seconds.

The main goal is not individual perfection but group unity and fluidity, aiming for an aesthetic and coordinated performance. The choreography tells a story and creates a narrative in which each movement flows naturally into the next, in a constant stream of elements where the body becomes an instrument of expression.

Technical Foundations of Aesthetic Gymnastics

AGG is based on natural movements of the human body, performed with coordination, rhythm and harmony, prioritising physical health over the extreme demands of other disciplines.

The three basic technical elements of aesthetic gymnastics are:

• Waves: fluid movements that travel through the body in a chain.
• Swings: wide, dynamic swinging movements that create continuity.
• Contractions: coordinated muscle tensions that express emotion or intention.

These are complemented by elements such as lifts, acrobatics, jumps and turns, always within a group and aesthetic approach, without seeking the extreme perfection of individual execution.

Why Can You Be Penalised?

• Improper contact with the floor: touching the carpet in an uncontrolled way with the hands, knees or any other part of the body outside the choreography.
• Lack of body control: falls, loss of balance or sudden movements that break the flow of the routine.
• Choreography errors: not completing the full routine, lack of synchronisation between team members, or leaving the competition area (carpet).
• Prohibited or poorly executed elements: performing acrobatics outside the framework permitted by the rules, or failing to respect harmonious transitions between movements.
• Interruption of the routine: for unjustified reasons or leaving the carpet before time.

Aesthetic Gymnastics in Spain

In Spain, aesthetic gymnastics is still finding its place. Rhythmic gymnastics clubs have been the first to integrate this discipline as a complement, and there are already schools and teams that train specifically to take part in national and international AGG competitions.

Growth has been gradual but steady, thanks to the values it promotes: physical health, artistic expression and teamwork. This makes it an ideal choice for both young gymnasts and those seeking an alternative that is less physically demanding but equally enriching.

Differences and Similarities with Rhythmic Gymnastics

What Do They Have in Common?

• Similar warm-up: Both require a full body activation before training.
• Shared technical elements: They include jumps, balances, turns and flexibility work.
• Use of music: Essential for setting the rhythm and the choreographic structure.
• Educational values: They foster discipline, teamwork, consistency and companionship.

Although apparatus is not officially used in Aesthetic Gymnastics competitions, some clubs do incorporate exercises with apparatus such as ribbons, hoops or balls during training or exhibitions, especially as a teaching tool. This helps enrich the choreographies and familiarises gymnasts with elements that can add variety, coordination and body control.

Who Is Aesthetic Gymnastics Recommended For?

• Children who prefer a more expressive, group-based discipline.
• Gymnasts who want to keep competing after their rhythmic gymnastics stage.
• Adults who wish to practise gymnastics in a healthy and artistic way.

Conclusion

Aesthetic Gymnastics is not just a new discipline; it is a different form of body and sporting expression. In a sporting environment where perfection and demands often take priority, AGG stands out as an alternative that is less about technique and more about creativity.

Whether as a complement to rhythmic gymnastics, as a transition, or as a passion in its own right, this discipline has a great deal to offer the current sporting landscape… and its growth in Spain has only just begun!