Page "Artistic gymnastics" Paragraph 22

; Balance beam: The gymnast performs a choreographed routine from 70 to 90 seconds in length consisting of leaps, acrobatic skills, turns and dance elements on a padded spring beam.

Apparatus norms set by the International Gymnastics Federation ( used for Olympic and most elite competitions ) specify the beam must be 125 cm ( 4 ') high, 500 cm ( 16 ') long, and 10 cm ( 3. 9 ") wide.

The event requires spectacular balance, flexibility and strength.