Frequently Asked Questions About Rhythmic Gymnastics Music

Yes. All our tracks are specifically composed and structured to meet the strict timing and emotional contrast requirements of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Whether you need upbeat gymnastics floor music or a dramatic piece, it is ready for international competition.

You will receive an uncompressed, studio-quality WAV master file. This ensures the highest possible audio fidelity when played on large stadium sound systems during competitions.

Delivery is instant. Unlike free gymnastics floor music downloads that often suffer from poor audio quality or bad cuts, right after completing your secure checkout you will immediately receive an email containing a secure download link for your studio-quality WAV file.

All gymnastics floor music is originally created and curated by Kate Konovalova, an elite rhythmic gymnast from Russia and current coach/choreographer based in Silicon Valley. The tracks are built with an inside understanding of what athletes need on the carpet.

Every purchase includes a perpetual, worldwide license. This grants you the right to use the music for your competition routines, daily training, and public sports performances without copyright strikes.

According to current gymnastics music rules, music for individual senior and junior rhythmic gymnastics exercises must be between 1 minute 15 seconds and 1 minute 30 seconds.

Group exercise music must be between 2 minutes 15 seconds and 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Timing begins at the gymnast's first movement or first sound of music, and ends when the gymnast is completely still.

Yes. A short musical introduction before movement is permitted, but must not exceed 4 seconds. Exceeding this results in a 0.30-point penalty.

A 0.05-point deduction is applied for each full second over or under the allowed duration. Example: 1'30.99" — no penalty; 1'31.00" — penalty 0.05 points.

Music with words may be permitted for a limited number of exercises per national federation, provided it is declared in advance. Coaches should verify the current rules with their national federation, as requirements may vary by competition level and cycle.

Music must be recorded on USB or uploaded online according to the directives and working plan of the official FIG competition. Each audio file must indicate the national federation (3 capital FIG letters), the gymnast's name, and the apparatus.

The gymnast must stop the exercise immediately if music stops for any reason. An exercise where music is interrupted cannot be scored.

Yes. Penalties apply for music that does not conform to FIG regulations, including non-typical sounds (example: sirens, car engines) and poor-quality files. Whether it's elite or gymnastics optional floor music, coaches should ensure all submitted files meet technical and stylistic requirements.

Dynamic changes — variations in tempo, volume, and character — are evaluated as part of the Artistry component of the exercise. Rhythmic gymnastics music that supports expressive contrast allows gymnasts to demonstrate higher artistic quality and earn better Artistry scores.

Darja Varfolomeev (Germany), who won the individual all-around in Paris with a score of 142.850, performed her ball routine to Michael Jackson's "In the Closet."

Yes. Varfolomeev's gold-winning ball routine at Paris 2024 was set to a track with vocals (Michael Jackson). Music with words is permitted for only a limited number of exercises per national federation at official FIG competitions, and it must be declared in advance. Verify the current rules with your national federation.

After an update to the Code of Points, champions often rebuild their programs, starting with the music. Varfolomeev shifted from a classic dance style to dramatic pop for 2025: her ribbon routine is set to "Trouble" by Dana Kelson and Jake Warren.

Dynamic changes - variations in tempo, volume, and character - are evaluated as part of the Artistry component. Music with strong contrasts allows a gymnast to demonstrate higher artistic quality and earn a better Artistry score.

Strong group programs are often built around a single unifying theme. China's team, which won the country's first-ever Olympic group all-around gold at Paris 2024, presented a cohesive warrior-themed composition, and the coach emphasized the goal of showcasing Chinese culture and style through the performance.

Evgeniya Kanaeva (Russia) is the only individual rhythmic gymnast in history to win two Olympic all-around gold medals, at the 2008 and 2012 Games. For her 2008 Beijing ribbon routine, her music was a specially edited piano version of "Moscow Nights" (Podmoskovnye Vechera).

Russia's Margarita Mamun won the individual all-around at Rio 2016. After earning an excellent score for her dark and expressive ribbon routine, she became the individual rhythmic gymnastics Olympic champion.

Yes. World champion Sofia Raffaeli set her 2023 hoop routine to the main theme from Psycho, from the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock horror film. It is an unusual choice in a sport where classical music tends to dominate.

For her 2023 ball routine, Raffaeli paid tribute to her nation with the Italian track "Il Mondo," first released in 1965. She said the music has become like a trademark, with people stopping her and remembering the word.

Yes. Raffaeli's 2023 clubs routine, set to Stromae's 2013 song "Quand C'est," deals with cancer. She described interpreting it as a real challenge, but said performing it with full music and expressiveness gave her great pride.

Yes. Raffaeli's 2023 ribbon routine was set to Frank Sinatra's version of the 1960s classic "That's Life."

Storytelling. Raffaeli said that every exercise has its own story - something emotional that reaches the heart of the spectators, which she considers the most beautiful thing about rhythmic gymnastics.

At the 2023 World Championships, where she swept every individual title, Varfolomeev said she selected rather heavy and strong music for her ribbon routine to describe her journey into rhythmic gymnastics. That sweep made her the first rhythmic gymnast to win every gold at a single worlds since Evgeniya Kanaeva in 2009.

Beginning in 2013, gymnasts could use music with lyrics, but only for one routine. Under the 2017-2021 Code of Points, individuals could use music with lyrics for two routines. Always confirm the current allowance with your national federation.

The music has to be interpreted, not treated as background. The Code emphasizes that gymnasts should move with the music rather than have it play as background noise, and sounds not typically used in music - such as sirens - are forbidden.

Choreography is judged as part of the Artistry (A) score - one of three scores in a routine, alongside Difficulty (D) and Execution (E). The final score is the sum of difficulty, execution, and artistry, minus penalties. Difficulty is open-ended with no maximum, while execution and artistry each start at 10.00 and are lowered by deductions for specific faults.

Four judges (A1-A4) evaluate the Artistry faults by deduction, each judging the entire exercise independently. When four judges are used, the highest and lowest deductions are eliminated, and the remaining two are averaged. That average is then subtracted from 10.00 to give the final Artistry score.

The dance steps combination is a required element that must last at least eight seconds, have a defined character that matches the music, and be performed without high throws of the apparatus, any apparatus difficulties, or pre-acrobatic elements. Two sets are required in each exercise. Unlike body and apparatus difficulties, they are evaluated as part of the artistry score.

Yes. The 2025-2028 Code reduced the maximum number of difficulties counted in the exercise to give more room for artistic expression and transitions between elements. Some body difficulties were removed and others merged to encourage variety and discourage injuries. In practice, this rewards well-choreographed transitions rather than simply stacking difficulties.

Yes. Any Difficulty or Artistry component started outside the floor area will not be evaluated. If a component starts inside the floor area and finishes outside it, it is still evaluated. Separately, any part of the body or apparatus touching outside the boundary is penalized 0.30 points by the Line judge each time.

Yes. At least one element from each Difficulty of Body Group must be present in the exercise. Choreography has to distribute these across the routine, which shapes how you plan the sequence of movements.

A short musical introduction - up to four seconds - without body and/or apparatus movement is tolerated. This is the window a choreographer has to set an opening image before the routine's timing effectively begins.

The difficulty score is made up of two separate component scores: one for body difficulties and one for apparatus difficulties. Good choreography has to weave both together, so the movement of the body and the handling of the apparatus read as a single, coherent design rather than two parallel tracks.

Rhythmic gymnastics is scheduled for July 27-29, 2028, at the Galen Center in Exposition Park, an indoor arena near downtown Los Angeles. The overall Games run from July 14 to July 30, 2028. All dates are subject to change until the Games.

Olympic rhythmic gymnastics features two events: the individual all-around and the group. Athletes perform choreographed routines set to music using apparatus such as the hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon.

In the individual competition, gymnasts perform four routines in qualification, with the top 10 advancing to the all-around final, where medals are awarded on combined scores. Performances are judged on difficulty, execution, and artistry, with routines typically lasting between 75 and 90 seconds. (Final format details remain subject to FIG approval.)

The individual apparatus are the hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Groups perform their own routines with the apparatus set defined for the cycle.

The FIG Code of Points 2025-2028 is for implementation from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028 - which means it covers the LA 2028 Games. In practice, the music and timing rules coaches use today (individual routines of 1'15"-1'30", the 4-second intro allowance, and so on) are the same rules that will apply at the Olympics.

The rhythmic gymnastics finals fall on Day 15 - "Super Saturday," July 29, 2028 - which LA28 has billed as the single most action-packed day of the Games, with Olympic champions crowned across 23 sports including rhythmic gymnastics.

Los Angeles will become the third city ever to host three Olympic Games, following 1932 and 1984, and LA28 will be the first Summer Games since 1948 to build no new permanent venues, using existing arenas like the Galen Center instead.