As you can see, the balance beam used to be wooden, without any padding on it.
In the 21st century it is still made of wood, but there is foam padding on the top of the beam, as well as springs to give the gymnast added height on jumps and flips.
In the 21st century it is still made of wood, but there is foam padding on the top of the beam, as well as springs to give the gymnast added height on jumps and flips.