USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport in the United States. It gets this designation from the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation. USA Gymnastics, headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., sets the rules and policies that govern the sport of gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has many responsibilities, including selecting and training the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on the grassroots through the national levels; and serving as a resource center for members, clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the United States. USA Gymnastics University provides educational resources for new and experienced coaches and instructors in the sport.

Today, more than 200,000 athletes and professionals are members of USA Gymnastics. More than 4,500 competitions and events are sanctioned annually throughout the USA. USA Gymnastics has more than 164,000 athletes registered to participate in the Junior Olympic and elite programs. One goal in the sport is to become a USA National Gymnastics Team member. To become a national team member, a gymnast must first work his or her way through a series of qualifying meets. The preliminary meets range from USA Gymnastics-sanctioned competitions organized by private clubs to state, regional and national qualification meets. Each meet gives the athlete the opportunity to meet minimum qualification scores and/or placement requirements established by USA Gymnastics. Gymnasts meeting the requirements are then eligible to compete in the national championships and the most prestigious and significant competition(s) of the year.