10 Amazing Things About Gymnastics (with pictures) that will Make You Want to Sign Up Today!

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Below are 10 things about gymnastics (in pictures) that will make you want to sign up for gymnastics today. Gymnastics is a great sport with many benefits, that are demonstrated by the pictures below!

1. Gymnastics teaches exercise habits that will help you stay healthy for life.

I know very few former gymnasts that have not stayed very active after they quit gymnastics. That’s because gymnastics helps you to create the habit of working out and staying fit. Studies have shown that regular exercise as a child increases the odds that you will stay physically fit and healthy as an adult.

 

 

2. Gymnastics helps you develop flexibility.

I used to do gymnastics with the (former) gymnast in the instagram picture above. Now she performs with a circus troupe and teaches acrobatics.

There are a ton of different hobbies that utilize flexibility, including acrobatics, yoga, dance, cheerleading and surfing.

 

3. Gymnastics makes you a well-rounded athlete.

The lightest man to ever complete the Russian kettlebell challenge “Beast Tamer”, Andrew Speer (pictured above), credits his success to gymnastics training. The challenge had him perform a pistol squat, a single-arm press, and a pull-up each with a 106 pound kettlebell.

He says that gymnastics helped him build his “stamina, stability, balance, power and brawn”.

 

4. Gymnastics makes you confident.

Since gymnastics is an individual sport, once you have put in the work to perfect a routine, you will know that you have done all you can to prepare yourself for success. This creates the confidence you see in Aly Raisman’s stance and facial expression before she starts her floor routine.

 

5. You will learn cool tricks that will impress your friends, long after you have quit gymnastics.

The picture above is of Nastia Liukin doing an aerial at an LA Angels game. After you have learned a cartwheel, handstand or an aerial, those will be skills you can do outside on the grass whenever you want.

 

6. Being a member of a gymnastics team will provide you with a sense of camaraderie, mutual trust and friendship from your teammates.

This picture is from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, but most gymnastics teams have members that care about each other and root each other on. All the hours you spend working hard in the gym, will help you bond with your teammates.

 

7. You will make lifelong friends in gymnastics.

Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson are #friendshipgoals in the picture above, but in gyms everywhere gymnasts are making life-long friends! I know my sister has been best friends with one of the girls she met at gymnastics for at least 14 years now, and at this point they have both graduated from college and have jobs. You will create strong bonds with the girls you do gymnastics with, because you will have both trained hard together.

 

8. Gymnastics will teach you how to focus mentally.

Gymnastics is a sport that requires mental focus, which is a skill that carries over into many different aspects of life. You have to know how to tune everything out in order to execute a flawless beam routine. Later in life the ability to tune everything out will translate into perfectly executed presentations or sales pitches.

 

9. Gymnastics gives you the background you need to be a great dancer.

What proof do I have for this ? All of the Olympic gymnasts that have competed on Dancing with the Stars have placed in the top 4.  Both Shawn Johnson (the youngest winner in DWTS history) and Laurie Hernandez finished 1st, with Nastia Liukin, Simone Biles and Alexandra Raisman all finishing 4th. Shawn Johnson even placed 2nd in the all-star edition of DWTS. Compare that to Keyshwan Johnson, who plays football for the NY Jets who finished last, and Monica Seles, a champion Tennis player, who was the second person eliminated when she competed on DWTS.

To win on Dancing with the Stars, you need to have rhythm and grace! Gymnastics teaches you both.

10. Gymnastics makes you strong.

Sam Mikulak, above, is a 2x member of the US Men’s Olympic Gymnastics Team. There is no doubt about it, that gymnastics will make you strong. Gymnastics uses muscles in your whole body. Would you rather be weak, or strong ?

That should have you convinced you need to sign up for gymnastics! Check out the directory to find a gymnastics gym near you.

Are you already a gymnast, but are motivated by all the pictures above and want to improve? Check out 10 Reasons Simone Biles is So Successful (Numbers 5-10 You Can Do Too!)

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19 comments… add one
  • Akerke August 30, 2017, 5:23 pm

    I want to start gymnastics at 13 years! I love gymnastics so much i know it is helpful, healthy, beautiful, i always love gymnastics and respect gymnasts. When i was 6 i wanted to go to gymnastics but my parents said no because it can hurt you and you can break bones easily . And finally i go to gym when i was 7 but coach saw my skills and flexibility and said it is too late. But i love gymnastics ! I know it is too late for 13 years with my flexibility i can not do even carweel and bridge fully. But i will train and never give up!

    Reply
    • Mallory September 8, 2017, 6:41 pm

      I am 13 and I started at 12 3/4, which was basically 13. If you can possibly join a YMCA gymnastics program, or join one through school, do that! If there is a recreational class available that’s also a really good Idea! I started out so late but with one year of work, I’m already at level 5. If there is no pro options, go self taught and watch tutorials to get your skills. Do regular conditioning and try new skills. If you are determined and don’t give up, it is SO worth it.

      Reply
    • Jade October 10, 2017, 12:49 am

      It’s never too late to start gymnastics!!! I started when I was 11 and now I’m 13 and advancing to level 3 next year. (I’m in level 1 now). If you want to become more flexible stretch everyday. If you want to learn new skills youtube has some good videos, and when you start gymnastics ask your coach.

      Reply
      • Ell Bell February 8, 2018, 2:39 am

        i’m 12 and a half is it to late for me to start

        Reply
        • Sara Lloyd November 26, 2018, 9:32 pm

          Absolutely not! I started gymnastics at 12, a month away from 13. I am now an xcel Silver, and have only been on the team for 5-6 months. My coach says I am doing very well, and will advance quickly, and do very well at the meets. Also, if you plan on doing gymnastics, you should definitely be conditioning and stretching at home. With hard work and dedication, I believe you can achieve your goals.

          Reply
    • Elizabeth May 16, 2020, 11:35 pm

      You can start any time! I started at 9 (11 now) and I am a level 6 JO gymnast!

      Reply
  • robin November 13, 2017, 1:47 pm

    I LOVE GYMNASTICS! I WANT MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  • Keisha December 25, 2017, 3:03 am

    We’re’s the all levels?

    Reply
  • Chloe January 16, 2018, 1:44 am

    I used to do gymnastics when I was younger, but then I moved away from the gym I went to and had to take a break. I’ve been trying to get back into gymnastics but I don’t know how to approach the subject with my parents. Any advice?

    Reply
    • Faith August 15, 2018, 7:49 pm

      Yes I got some advice if you want any

      Reply
  • Abigail May 17, 2018, 6:20 pm

    I do gymnastics, I love it, I am not that good but my whole family enjoys it. My best skill currently is a front pike (front flip in a pike position.)

    Reply
  • Clair February 21, 2019, 10:44 am

    I am ten I started when I as four. I am pretty good but I don’t yet compete so I think it is too late. Is it to late to start competing?

    Reply
    • Claire June 17, 2020, 3:39 pm

      Of course not!

      Reply
  • Mya Pace January 4, 2020, 4:12 am

    I’m 12 years old,and this is my first year of gymnastics I start at a level one.Ive been like self taught.where I teach myself the skills.But in self taught I’m a level three,In gymnastics I’m a level one.Im so excited to start in 3 days!

    Reply
  • Claire June 17, 2020, 3:38 pm

    I am 11 and i was in preteam. then i got invited to team or xcel. i couldnt move up because i didnt have enough money and i had to wait a year. so i divised a plan. i was going to learn new skills that i needed for other levels, so that after a year i can maybe move up farther. but i still wish i could move up now. i dont know what to do and i didnt know where to say this. i need some advice. i already said that if i do move up i will try to pay for my leotard and other things that are smaller. but i still need some help. Any advice?

    Reply
  • David Whisler October 22, 2020, 10:35 pm

    I like to read well-written articles. It looks like you spent a lot of time and effort on your blog. I learned a lot from your article. keep up the good work!

    Reply
  • Claire December 26, 2020, 3:33 am

    I am 11, and I want to start gymnastics but my mom says she doesn’t want to waste money on hiring a gymnastics coach. Do you know how to train at home?

    Reply
  • hana March 11, 2021, 1:49 pm

    i looove gymnastics i started when i was either 5 6 or 7 but now i am 11 and i love it so much. i have made a lot of friends, and i can show off a lot of skills to my family/friends

    Reply
  • PDGR8X959KOC www.mail1.ru September 8, 2021, 2:37 am

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    Reply
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