Mens gymnastics has been gradually gaining popularity, and there is no division of the sport quite so impressive as mens gymnastics rings. Often called still rings, as opposed to flying rings, this is one of the few sports that are still almost exclusively a masculine activity, due to the incredible upper body strength required to achieve an advanced level of accomplishment. Not surprisingly, gymnasts who specialize in rings can usually be spotted out of a crowd by their well-developed shoulder muscles.

The equipment required for the event is generally a set of rings, hanging at even height from a frame apparatus. The rings are in no way fixed, so any movement or lack of movement must be strictly controlled by the athlete. Standard athletic rings are 18 centimeters in diameter, 300 centimeters from the upper point of attachment, and 50 cm apart.

Mens gymnastics routines on the rings incorporate a combination of swing, strength, and hold movements, with a successful routine not only including all three types of movements, but including them to set requirements. Most routines usually include a static strength position, a held handstand, and an arial dismount.

Among the most impressive moves used by accomplished athletes are the iron cross, the inverted cross, and the Maltese cross. An iron cross involves holding both hands out from the body, parallel to the floor, while fully supporting the bodyweight. An inverted cross describes the same movement but, as the name suggests, held upside down. A Maltese cross is similar, but involves holding the body statically parallel to the floor with the arms outstretched.

As with other gymnastics divisions, points are deducted for certain faults. IN the mens rings competition, these faults may include excessive swinging, bent arms during strength positions, or the use of straps or supports to assist in the routine.

Rings are generally an area of specialty in mens gymnastics, as they require a particular physique that can often only be obtained through fortunate genetics, and an intense, specialized training program that can take up all of an athlete’s training hours. Some athletes who specialize in the rings are Leon Štukelj Jordan Jovtchev and Albert Azaryan.