FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Music Rules 2025–2028

Gymnastics music rules: FIG 2025-2028 requirements

Whether you are a senior elite or looking for usa gymnastics level 8 floor exercise music rules, the FIG framework is the foundation. Keep in mind that while FIG sets the international standard, domestic programs (like USAG Level 8) may have specific duration or vocal restrictions that differ slightly from these international gymnastics music rules.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises — Generalities and Artistry; Group Exercises — Generalities.

1. How Long Should Rhythmic Gymnastics Music Be?

For senior and junior individual exercises, FIG specifies a routine duration of:

1 minute 15 seconds → 1 minute 30 seconds

The stopwatch starts when the gymnast begins to move and stops when the gymnast is totally motionless.

Timing is evaluated in full-second increments. The FIG Code gives a useful example:

• ✓ 1:30.99 → no time penalty
• ✗ 1:31.00 → time penalty

The penalty for each additional or missing full second is 0.05 points.

What this means when preparing music

A competition track should not simply be "about 90 seconds." The final edit needs to work with the actual choreography and give the gymnast enough time to complete the final movement within the permitted duration.

For this reason, coaches should consider music duration and choreography together, rather than editing the music first and trying to fit the routine into it later.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises, Generalities §§1.2.2 and 2.

2. How Long Can the Musical Introduction Be?

FIG permits a short musical introduction before the gymnast begins moving.

The Code specifies an introduction of up to 4 seconds, while the Artistry section provides a 0.30-point penalty for a musical introduction of 4 seconds or more.

Practical recommendation

Do not build a competition track around a long opening in which the gymnast remains motionless. A short, clear introduction gives the gymnast enough time to recognize the beginning of the music without unnecessarily approaching the FIG penalty threshold.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises, Generalities §2.2 and Artistry §2.5.

3. Can Rhythmic Gymnastics Music Have Words?

Yes — but the current FIG rules are more nuanced than a simple "words are allowed / words are forbidden" rule.

The Code focuses on two important questions:

• 1
  Does the vocal material function as music?
• 2
  Does the content comply with FIG ethical requirements?

FIG specifically identifies inappropriate content such as: swearing, dirty talk, violence, and discrimination.

Music that does not respect these ethical norms can receive a 0.30-point penalty for music not conforming to the rules.

FIG also distinguishes music from spoken material without a musical character. Spoken words without melodic instrumental background may be considered non-typical music unless they are clearly identifiable as a musical genre, such as a cappella or rap.

The practical question for coaches

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Artistry §§2.3–2.4.

4. What Types of Sounds Are Not Allowed?

FIG states that sounds with a non-typical musical character for rhythmic gymnastics are forbidden.

The Code specifically gives examples including: Sirens and Car engines.

This does not necessarily mean that every unusual sound effect automatically makes a composition illegal. The relevant question is whether the material functions as music and fits the musical character required for a rhythmic gymnastics exercise.

Music that does not conform to these rules can receive a 0.30-point Artistry penalty.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Artistry §2.4.

Music Is Not Just Background in Rhythmic Gymnastics

This is one of the most important principles in the current FIG Code. FIG treats music as a structural part of the choreography.

According to the Artistry rules, the selected music helps establish:

The Code specifically states that music should not function merely as background for body and apparatus elements.

Why this matters when choosing competition music

A technically legal 1:30 track is not automatically good rhythmic gymnastics music.

Strong competition music gives the choreographer usable phrases, accents, contrasts, changes of intensity, and significant musical moments.

These elements create opportunities for movement and apparatus work to respond directly to the music.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises, Artistry §§2.1–2.3.

5. How Should Music Match the Gymnast?

The FIG Code specifically recommends considering: Age, Technical level, Artistic qualities, and Ethical norms.

FIG also states that the selected music should allow the gymnast to perform at her best and support the best possible execution.

A younger gymnast may need a very different musical character from an experienced senior athlete.

Likewise, music with frequent changes, complex accents and dramatic contrasts may create excellent choreographic opportunities for one gymnast while making another routine unnecessarily difficult to perform clearly.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises, Artistry §2.3.

6. Why Musical Accents and Phrases Matter

FIG evaluates the relationship between movement and music throughout the routine.

Body and apparatus movements should correlate with musical accents and phrases, and both should follow the tempo of the music. The ending matters as well. The end of the exercise should correspond precisely with the end of the music.

Examples of rhythm faults

The FIG Code identifies faults such as:

Rhythm faults can accumulate during the exercise, with penalties of 0.10 points each, up to 2.00 points.

This is why competition music should provide a structure the gymnast and choreographer can actually use.

Source: FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028, Individual Exercises, Artistry §8.

Frequently Asked Questions