What Kind of Wood Used for Uneven Bars?

Change in Material

• For many years the preferred wood for uneven bars was red oak, with a steel core running through the middle, according to American Athletic Inc., a company that manufactures gymnastic equipment. In the mid-1970s that began to change with competition apparatus moving to fiberglass or other composite bars. Wood is not found at the competition level, but some companies still use different varieties of wood in inexpensive training equipment.

Children's Bars

• Uneven training bars for children often use a composite inner core with wood veneer. According to Gibson Athletic, the wood is usually whatever is available at the time of production and is often maple or oak. Competition bars are made to a higher, exacting standard; using composite instead of wood ensures a consistent level of performance with each equipment piece.

Composite Benefits

• Other competition gymnastic equipment, such as the high and parallel bars, is also made from composite now. Depending on the equipment, as many as 12 different kinds of composite are used. The equipment can be tailored for a specific flexibility or rigidness standard with little deviation. The composite resists mildew and stains, and is lightweight and much stronger per pound than wood.

Making Mistakes

• While experienced and well-trained gymnasts make the uneven bars look easy, hundreds of hours are necessary for an athlete to perform the various moves. Even basic skills such as the cast squat on, clear hip, stride circle and tap swing are dangerous without a good coach and safety equipment. An advantage of composite rails over wood is that it is more forgiving of mistakes, and the lighter material is less likely to break a limb or crack a head if hit the wrong way at high speed.