Gymnastics Rings

Gym Rings Buying Guide: How to Find the Right Rings for Schools, Clubs and Outdoor Fitness

Gym rings are ideal for support, swing, hold and strength exercises and are equally popular with children, artistic gymnasts and fans of functional fitness. But not every type of ring suits every use. Your choice should always match your training goal and the mounting situation. In this buying guide, you’ll learn what really matters when buying gym rings.

1. Areas of use and applications
2. How do I mount gym rings?
3. Which ring materials are available?
4. What diameter should gym rings have?
5. How far apart should gym rings be?
6. How much space do gym rings incl. fall protection need?
7. Safety, standards and certification

 

1. Areas of use and applications

Before buying, you should be clear how the gym rings will be used. In schools and clubs, the requirements often differ from those for freely suspended training rings in the fitness area.

2. How do I mount gym rings?

The way you suspend your gym rings is one of the most important buying criteria. Even high-quality rings are only truly useful if the mounting matches the intended use and the load-bearing structure. This can be a ceiling suspension, a suitable support system or a dedicated gym ring frame. The structural conditions on site and the manufacturer’s specifications are always decisive.

How do I mount gym rings to the ceiling?
Ceiling mounting must only be done at load-bearing points and with suitable suspension hardware. Especially in schools and sports halls, installation should be professionally planned and carried out. Key factors are a load-bearing ceiling or substructure, a suitable suspension system and, where required, safe height adjustment with robust connecting elements.

3. Which ring materials are available?

The material influences grip, durability and area of use. There are wooden gym rings, rings made from plastic or composite materials as well as special plastic training rings for fitness or outdoor use.

• For classic artistic gymnastics, wooden or laminated wooden rings are ideal. Wooden rings are widely used here because they offer a secure, tactile grip and are considered the traditional choice in gymnastics. The common 28 mm ring diameter in gymnastics is closely linked to this area of use.

• In children’s gymnastics, both wooden rings and models made from plastic or rubber are suitable. Wood is ideal when children are introduced to classic movements such as hanging, swinging or their first support exercises. For younger children or very playful activities, softer, more skin-friendly materials such as plastic or rubber are also popular.

• For functional training, wood is usually the best choice because of its grip. Many suppliers describe wood as pleasant to hold, non-slip and sweat-absorbing. This makes it ideal for exercises such as rows, dips, push-ups or pulling movements with high stability demands. If the rings are also used outdoors or need to be particularly low-maintenance, ABS plastic can be a good alternative. In functional fitness, 32 mm rings are also very common, as they offer a larger contact surface for pressing exercises.

• For outdoor gym rings, ABS plastic is particularly suitable if the rings are to remain outside permanently or regularly. ABS is described as weather-resistant and is therefore more practical than wood in rain, humidity and changing conditions. For permanently installed outdoor solutions, stainless steel or metal can also be a good option – especially where robustness and weather resistance are key. Wooden rings can also be used outdoors, but should be stored dry and wiped down after contact with moisture.

• For calisthenics rings, wood is very often the material of choice in practice. Wooden rings offer a natural grip, excellent control and reliable hold, even when your hands get sweaty. They are therefore highly valued for technical drills, static holds and demanding skills. If you want to leave the rings outdoors permanently, ABS plastic is usually the better option. A 28 mm diameter is close to the classic gymnastics standard, while 32 mm can also be a good choice depending on training style and personal grip preference.

4. What diameter should gym rings have?

For gym rings, “diameter” usually refers to the grip thickness. This depends on the area of use and the intended user group. The most common sizes are 28 mm and 32 mm. 28 mm is the standard in gymnastics and is often recommended for classic ring work and many calisthenics exercises, as the ring is easy to wrap the hand around and offers a high level of control. 32 mm is slightly thicker and is especially popular in functional fitness and strength training, as it offers a larger contact surface and often feels more comfortable for larger hands. In all cases, the grip should feel secure and controllable.

5. How far apart should gym rings be?

The distance between the gym rings must match the type of use and the suspension system. It depends on the system, technical requirements and intended application. In regulated gymnastics and competition, a distance of 50 cm between the rings is required. This spacing is the standard in artistic gymnastics.

6. How much space do gym rings including fall protection need?

Gym rings need not only sufficient space below, but also enough movement and safety clearance around the suspension. Especially for swinging and support movements, a safe free space is essential. In multi-purpose halls, you should therefore carefully check whether the rings can be sensibly integrated into the existing hall layout. Key factors include:

• Hall height
• Distance to walls and other equipment
• Space for swinging movements
• Matting and fall protection area
• Clear walkways in the hall

Safe use also requires suitable fall protection and matting. For forward and backward swinging, the fall zone must be covered with appropriate mats. For lateral swinging or circling movements, a larger safety area may be necessary. For school sports, the accident insurance association recommends an obstacle-free area of 18 x 4 x 5.5 m as well as defined safety distances from the rope axis. Rings must not be used without suitable fall protection. Depending on the area of use, gymnastics mats, landing mats or larger mat surfaces may be advisable or required.

7. Safety, standards and certification

For ring work in schools and clubs, the most important standards are DIN EN 913 as the general safety standard, DIN EN 12655 as the specific standard for ring systems, and the DGUV guidelines for use, matting, fall zones and inspections. GS or TÜV tests are important safety marks, but not the same as FIG certification, which is crucial for official competitions. For publicly accessible outdoor facilities, DIN EN 16630 or DIN EN 1176 also apply. Before buying, check the manufacturer information in our product descriptions.

 

For schools and clubs, the most effective solution is usually not the most spectacular, but the most practical: safe ring material, suitable suspension, enough space and well-matched fall protection. Whether for children’s gymnastics, school sports, club training, competition or fitness – you can buy the right gym rings online from Sport-Thieme. If you have questions about specific rings or want to equip your sports hall, simply give us a call or send us an email via our contact form.