uneven parallel bars

Shilese Jones performing on the uneven bars at the gymnastics world championships, 2023; she won a bronze medal in the event.

uneven parallel bars, gymnastics apparatus developed in the 1930s and used in women’s competition. The length and construction were formerly the same as for the parallel bars used in men’s gymnastics. In the modern apparatus, the top bar is 2.55 meters (8.36 feet) above the floor, while the lower bar is 1.75 meters (5.74 feet) high. The height of both bars may be increased by 5 or 10 cm (2 or 4 inches) for taller gymnasts. Each bar is 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) long. The apparatus was first used in international artistic gymnastics competition at the 1936 Olympic Games. It allows a great variety of movements, although hanging and swinging exercises predominate. The performer strives for smoothness and equal use of both bars in her routine.