Can you do it?

The lowdown

Walking the length of a bench or low beam up on your toes, arms out to the side, without stepping off. It is the first way you learn to travel along a beam.

Fun fact

A competition beam is 10 cm wide and 5 m long, and it stands 1.25 m off the floor.

Tips

Look at the end of the beam, not your feet, and keep your arms out to the side. Rhythm matters more than speed.

Why it isn't working4 common mistakes

Looking down at your feet. Pick a fixed point at the end of the beam and keep your chin level.
Rushing the steps. Walk slowly and steadily; rhythm matters more than speed.
Turning your feet out. Point your feet straight along the beam so more of each foot is on it.
Stiff, locked legs. Keep a soft bend in your knees and ankles so they can make the small corrections.

The road to it1 step

The road to it

Tiptoe Walk on BeamYou are here · where every road starts

Land this and you unlock

Arabesque on Beam Cat Leap on Beam Half Turn on Beam

Where it sits

1 of 3

Beam tricks at Bronze on gymnastics

152

In the gymnastics library

Bronze

Difficulty 1 of 5

Why it's Bronze: Nothing comes before it, and on a bench a wobble is just a step down. The only thing to learn is balance on a narrow surface.