An exercise on rings consists of swing strength and hold elements. Generally gymnasts are required to fulfill various requirements including a swing to held handstand an aerial dismount and a static strength hold. More experienced gymnasts will often perform more than one strength element sometimes swinging into hold positions or consecutively performing different holds.
One of the most widely recognized skills performed on the rings is the Iron Cross which is executed by extending both arms straight out from the sides of the body while suspended mid air for at least two seconds. Other common strength moves include the inverted cross (i.e. vertically inverted iron cross) and the Maltese cross in which the gymnast holds his body parallel to the ground at ring height with arms extended laterally.