This question was asked a long time ago. When I tried to reply I was told that it was too old for a reply and that I should start a new post on the topic. The title is the question.

Gymnastics and acrobatics are the same thing. It is like asking what is the difference between Americans and Californians.

Acrobatics is the grandfather to gymnastics. Today the word gymnastics means "Artistic Gymnastics" for those not in the industry. Artistic Gymnastics is only one (split in two) gymnastics discipline of six disciplines. These are: 1. Artistic Men's Gymnastics; 2. Artistic Women's Gymnastics; 3. Tumbling & Trampoline; 4. Acrobatic Gymnastics; 5. Rhythmic Gymnastics and 6. General Gymnastics.

The grandparents of gymnastics are the Circus and the Military. Acrobatics had always been part of the circus tradition. The parents of gymnastics are physical education and physical therapy. The children of gymnastics are the 6 disciplines listed above.

Acrobatics in gymnastics refers specifically to the sport of partner gymnastics performed on the floor with the 5 events of Women's Pair, Men's Pair, Mixed Pairs, Women's Group and Men's Group. All routines are performed to music and choreographed with dance. Skills include balances and pyramids, dynamic tosses, tumbling and individual skills.

There is no equipment used unlike the other disciplines.