Find out what a horizontal bar is and why you want one in your garden!
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A horizontal bar, fun for children but also quite a challenge. But what exactly is it, and WHAT do you do with it?
A horizontal bar is one gymnastics equipment, consisting of a wooden bar on metal or fiberglass shelves. However, horizontal bars can also be found as play equipment in playgrounds. The elements that are turned on the horizontal bar are mainly swing elements and turning. In addition, flight elements are also performed at the higher levels.
In this article I will tell you everything about the horizontal bar and what you should pay attention to when purchasing it.
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What does Recstick mean?
Horizontal bars are steel or wooden sticks used for gymnastic exercises. They are usually about an inch in diameter and placed horizontally 2,5 to 0,60 inches above the ground.
Why is horizontal bar so popular?
Horizontal bars are popular because they are a great way to train your muscles and improve your coordination. They are also a fun way to improve your physical fitness.
What are the benefits of horizontal bar?
Horizontal bars offer many benefits, including:
- Improving your coordination
- Strengthening your muscles
- Improving your physical condition
- Stress reduction
- Improving your balance
- Improving your flexibility
The horizontal bar: a piece of art of the men's gymnasts
The horizontal bar: what is it?
The horizontal bar is part of men's touring. It is a kind of bridge, but instead of two parallel beams it only has one. The horizontal bar hangs at swing height, meaning a gymnast can hang from it without their feet touching the ground.
What can you do with it?
Gymnasts can perform several elements on the horizontal bar. Think of swing elements, such as the giant swing, or twists, such as the belly twist. And at higher levels, flight elements are even performed.
Epke Zonderland: the horizontal bar champion
Dutch gymnast Epke Zonderland is a true champion on the horizontal bar. He has been world champion no less than three times (2013, 2014 and 2018) and once Olympic champion (2012).
The horizontal bar for children
The horizontal bar is also often used as a playground equipment for children. The device usually consists of two wooden posts with an iron shelf on top. This way the little ones can also do a little gymnastics!
How do you place a horizontal bar in your own garden?
Placing a horizontal bar in your own garden is quite a challenge. But with the right knowledge and a little dexterity, it's a piece of cake! In this blog we explain step by step how you can place a horizontal bar in your garden.
Tumble or gymnastics rack?
It doesn't matter if you call it a tumble bar, tumbling bar or gymnastics bar, it's all the same! In Belgium they often talk about a tumble bar, in the Northern Netherlands they often have a horizontal bar in the garden and in the Central Netherlands they usually talk about a tumble bar.
The right height
How high you should hang the horizontal bar depends on the height of the child. For somersaults, a height of 90cm or 120cm is ideal. Do you also want to do acrobatic tours and gymnastic activities? Then the horizontal bar must be hung higher, think of one and a half meters.
How deep should the posts be?
Use this handy rule to determine how deep the posts should go into the ground: divide the height of the horizontal bar by two. For example: if you have a tumbling rack of 120 cm height, the posts must be at least 60 cm in the ground.
How do you place the horizontal bar?
Placing a gymnastics bar is fairly easy and takes about 1½ hours. Below are the steps you need to follow:
- Make a hole for the first post with a ground auger.
- Place the first post in the hole at the desired height and level it in all directions.
- Place the bar with the end against the placed pole.
- Dig a hole for the second post and set it in the hole.
- Drill holes for the toggle bar and mount it.
- Sprinkle enough sand around the posts and wet it.
- Optional: set the posts in concrete.
Have fun with your gymnastics rack!
You're ready! Now your children can hang upside down on the gymnastics bar and pull off the craziest antics. Let them dive, gymnastics and climb. Have fun!
Assemble your own diving sticks: the ultimate guide
The length of the rod
It is important to choose the right length of bar for your child. We have diving bars in two sizes: 90 and 125 centimeters. Although both formats are suitable for all ages from 3 years, the experience is that children aged 6 find it more pleasant to tumble on the larger horizontal bar of 125 cm. The bar itself has a diameter of 3,3 cm and we recommend placing the bar at a height between 70 and 115 centimeters from the ground.
The color of the horizontal bar
The bar is available in the colors red and green or in stainless steel. There is no difference between the red and green bar, apart from the color. Both are powder-coated horizontal bars and are easy to attach. The stainless steel horizontal bar is made of stainless steel, and therefore has a longer lifespan than the red and green horizontal bar. All bar bars are EN-71 approved and meet the safety requirements.
Round wood or square wooden horizontal bars
We offer a choice of round or square wooden posts for the horizontal bar. For round wood, we recommend a post holder with plate to anchor the device. For square timber we recommend a post holder with H-anchor. Because the wood is impregnated, you will have years of fun while you do not have to do any maintenance.
Single or double barbell?
There are two options with a tumble bar: a single or double horizontal bar. A single tumble bar is easier to place in the garden and invites your child to practice some tricks. With a double tumble bar, your children can have fun in the garden with a friend.
Our best diving racks
- Wooden Tumble Bar Single BK
- Round wood or square wood
- Tumble bar: Red/Green/Stainless steel
- Length: 90 / 125 cm
- Incl. VAT
Conclusion
A horizontal bar is a versatile playground equipment that is used by both children and adults for sports. For children it is a fun playground that stimulates motor skills and balance.
Now you also know how important it is to place the horizontal bar at the right height so that they can perform the exercises properly.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.