HISTORY OF AEROBIC GYMNASTICS

From its inception in the early ’80′s sportaerobics (now referred to as Aerobic Gymnastics) captured the attention and earned the respect of athletes who were drawn to it by the challenge and excitement of its high-performance standard. Sportaerobics was created as a showcase for athletes of all ages to demonstrate excellence in the fitness components of muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and artistic performance skills. In the mid to late 90’s the sport incorporated gymnastic elements elevating its dynamics and was renamed aerobic gymnastics.

In 1983 at the beginning of the aerobics and fitness movement, Sport Fitness International (SFI) founded by Los Angeles sport marketers Howard and Karen Schwartz took aerobics from a fitness activity and developed it into a competitive discipline. Sportaerobics was the way for participants and instructors alike to test their abilities in head to head athletic competition. Sport Fitness International conducted the first National Aerobic Championship (NAC) in the USA in 1984. From 1986 the sport witnessed a vast and rapid development as countries around the world joined the USA and adopted the rules and judging criteria SFI created for the NAC. In 1989 the non profit United States Competitive Aerobics Federation, USCAF was founded as the governing body for sportaerobics in the USA and the Association of National Aerobic Championships (ANAC) its governing body worldwide.

In March of 1990 the 1st World Sportaerobic Championship was held in San Diego, California featuring athletes from 16 ANAC member countries. In 1998 youth sportaerobics for 7 – 17 year olds was organized and the first ANAC World Youth Sportaerobic Championship was conducted.

In 1996 the Federation Internationale Gymnastique (FIG) accepted sportaerobics as an official discipline gaining official recognition by the IOC and added to the World Games in August 1997. The FIG later renamed sportaerobics, aerobic gymnastics.

RULES MANUAL

In 2006 the ANAC adopted the FIG Aerobic Gymnastic Code of Points for all international aerobic gymnastic competitions in the Senior, Junior Showcase, AG1 & AG2 divisions. For the current FIG Code of Points and AeroDance Rules, click here.

Due to Covid-19 the 2017–2020 Codes of Points in all Gymnastics disciplines will remain in force until the end of 2021. The 2021–2024 Codes of Points, which will now come into force on 1 January 2022, will be published next year to avoid any confusion. All courses and exams for FIG Judges’ brevets will also be postponed by one year, to November 2021.

ANAC

The Association of National Aerobic Champions (ANAC) is an international sports federation founded in 1990 and is comprised of national member affiliates for whom it governs international aerobic gymnastic activities, events and competitions. The ANAC is the officiating and sanctioning body of the International Aerobic Championship and International Youth Aerobic Championship. The ANAC Headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California, USA.

USCAF

The United States Competitive Aerobics Federation (USCAF) founded in 1989 is a 501c-3 non-profit corporation and the USA member affiliate to the Association of National Aerobic Championships. The USCAF governs aerobic gymnastic activities within the United States and officiates and sanctions official events. The USCAF represents the USAG in Aerobic Gymnastics for FIG events, championships, coaches and FIG brevetted judges.

SFI

Sport Fitness International is a live event and television production company producing properties for worldwide broadcasts that included the USA & World Sportaerobic Championships. SFI’s corporate partners in sportaerobics have included Crystal Light, Reebok, Coca Cola, Quaker Oats, Gold’s Gym, Evian Water, Danskin and more.

WHAT IS AEROBIC GYMNASTICS?

Aerobic Gymnastics is an athletic sport founded as a dance and fitness activity that today is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Aerobic Gymnastics is performed as a one-minute and thirty second (1:30) choreographed routine. The athlete must demonstrate the components of fitness including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, balance, coordination, agility, speed, power and incorporate gymnastic elements with moderate to advanced difficulties.

WHO PARTICIPATES? 

In general, participants are juniors to young adult who have a strong commitment to fitness and health and use the sport as a means to reach their fitness goals. Those who participate in aerobic gymnastics come from a multitude of athletic backgrounds including dance, martial arts, cheer, gymnastics, and more. At its highest level the sport draws some of the most awarded athletes, instructors and personal trainers whose presence in the events continually inspire others to follow in their footsteps

THE ANAC INTERNATIONAL AEROBIC CHAMPIONSHIP

The ANAC International Aerobic Championship is the official world-class athletic competition for selected winners and/or highest-ranking athletes of ANAC and FIG national member affiliates. The first ANAC World Aerobic Championship (now International Aerobic Championship) was presented in 1990. 2021 marks the 32nd Annual International Aerobic Championship. The championship is conducted in individual, mixed pairs, trios, group and AeroDance categories.