Did you see Simone Biles’s latest beam routine? She just made history again with moves that most of us can’t even dream of attempting. Her new routine is packed with innovative elements and incredible acrobatics, leaving the gymnastics world buzzing.

Can you believe the level of skill and creativity she’s bringing to the sport? Her performance, though not perfect, was still extraordinary, scoring a 95 if executed flawlessly.

Beam routines have evolved significantly since the 1980s. Back then, gymnasts often started their routines with a bang, performing daring flips onto the narrow beam. This flashy approach, popular in the ’80s and ’90s, was risky but captivating. Gymnasts like Kim Zmeskal and Shannon Miller made it look effortless, but the slightest misstep could lead to a fall and a full point deduction, which could be devastating.

As we moved into the 2000s, handstand mounts began to fade. These mounts showcased balance, strength, and control but took up too much time and energy. Today’s routines focus on high difficulty, skill, and connecting as many elements as possible to rack up points. Skills like the hip circle, popular among European gymnasts until the mid-2000s, and quad series, which required four acrobatic skills in a row, have largely disappeared. The introduction of new scoring formats and rules shifted the focus to more visually impressive moves.

Fast forward to today, and Simone Biles’s beam routine starts with an innovative mount that sets the tone for her performance. Instead of playing it safe, she performs a series of acrobatic moves right from the start, grabbing everyone’s attention and demonstrating her incredible skill and confidence.

Her routine features high-difficulty elements, including a fluid aerial walkover connected seamlessly into back handsprings, and a tumbling pass with a layout stepout and full twist. Her dismount—a double twisting, double back flip—is a jaw-dropping conclusion that leaves the audience in awe and earns her critical high scores.

At the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials, the crowd was on the edge of their seats as Biles executed her routine. Despite a wobble at the start, she regained her composure and delivered a flawless performance. She scored 13.65 on the beam, lower than usual due to the wobble, but made up for it with her outstanding floor and vault routines, finishing 2.5 points ahead of the competition.

Biles’s new beam routine isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a game-changer for gymnastics. Her performance sets a new standard for competitors, showcasing what’s possible with talent, hard work, and a fearless approach to innovation. Other gymnasts are likely inspired to push their limits and incorporate more complex elements into their routines.

Her routines also influence how beam routines are judged, with a focus on high difficulty and the seamless connection of elements. Biles’s ability to perform complex combinations sets a precedent for future expectations in gymnastics. We can expect more gymnasts to take risks and push boundaries, much like Biles has, inspiring changes in routine choreography and raising the bar for the sport.

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