what does it take to became a gymnast?
362406
a lot of hard work! 5-6 days a week in the gymnasium. you also need a pretty decent memory to remember all the routines.
699039
I was also in gymnastics when I was younger. First of all, practice, practice, practice. Also, sometimes, practice can only help so much. Some people are more limber than others, and some people have naturally better balance than others, and both of those are essential when preforming in gymnastics. The key is to work hard and don't get discouraged over slow progress. Also, do alot of stretches at home to help make yourself more limber. I liked to stretch my legs on my bedroom floor while doing my homework. Also, I found that practicing flips on a trampoline was easier and less intimidating than trying to practice them all the time in a crowd of other people so close to the hard floor. Last of all, have a couple of friends to practice with. They will help you when its time to learn how to do flips. Have fun and good luck!
188724
I love the gymnastics... I have done gymnastics for about 6or7 years and I think it would be so awesome to be in the olympics
906221
For high school teams, most state qualifying teams have requirements for standing backhandsprings and backtucks, while allstar teams generally require backtucks if not more. College cheerleaders generally must fit a certain criteria in addition to be working on or have a standing tuck. Its great to have tumbling taken care of and then just work on the basics when you become an actual cheerleader. Just remind your daughter to continue working on flexibility, as that is what most gymnasts struggle with.
553322
I have done gymnastics for the last 12yrs. The levels are a little differant here in south africa but I've been doing elite for the last 5 yrs.. u can email me@ gymfreaksa@yahoo.co.uk if u want. i have a good knowledge of the sport, i have also been judging for the last 3 yrs and coaching for the last 5...
1159766
Start by getting involved in a local gold glove gym or something similar so you can box competitively.  If you get established and keep winning, you will get noticed, and will have a chance to go to olympic trials.
632187
Gymnasts train very hard. They have very defined lean muscle and are very flexible (and super short =P) You need to do alot of stretching to help increase your flexibility. Also, you need to do all-around strength training, because gymnasts use their total strength to achieve their routines. Don't use too much weights, you are not bulking up. You need to balance strength and conditioning. \n\nAlso, it wouldn't hurt to join a youth gymnastics club, where they can help you learn how to do standing back flips and the sort.
806151
No, you don't have to be a particular age to do gymnastics. 14 is a good age to start gymnastics.  I started when I was 5, but I ended up quiting because I wanted to pursue dancing.  My older sister started beginner's gymnastics at 14 and she hasn't stopped yet!  So try it out and see if you like it!
850958
A simple question and a simple answer. Attempt to be a gymnast, go find a coach learn it, attempting itself will make you reach somewhere. Like when i started Bodybuilding, i target was Arnold Schwarzenegger, though he is too big,(he was better when younger, leaner and better shape, later he become fat-like thing) My goal was Arnold, but i reach somewhere close to Fashion Models.\n\nTry all the gymnastic exercises!!!!!\n\nBut if you specifically want to do the Splits, than get ready for some japanese exercise.\n\nWear a tight undie when doing this, or the elbow(crotch-guard), should be tight, or else you might end up with testicle-related problems, but nothing harmful. Relax you will remain potent.\n\nExercise 1: Sit with your butt on the ground with your feet inwards, near the butt, and gradually try to touch the heels to the butt and slowly try to bring your knees to the ground, simultaneously try to touch your chin, nose or forehead to your toe-thumbs, gradually dont go fast. Try flapping the knees like a butterfly while touching it to the ground. Do this whole thing for 5-6 minutes, then try and spliting gradually while holding something, dont crunch down flat, you might get hurt and that'd scare you from splits for a year. Simply go slow.\nAnd never do it in the morning, or when you have just woke up, do it in the afternoon or sometime when you are completely awake, and warmed up, do it after some jogging or workout, Dont do it when your legs are tired, they should be warm but relaxed.\n\nExercise 2: Try touching the ground standing with straight legs, do not bend the knees, bend from the spine\n\nAnd stop doing leg curls, if u are, dont do any exercise that builds your hamstrings, at least until your flexible enough to do splits, later on go for hamstrings. Try leg extensions instead that'd help in keep the legs straight.\n\nIf any pain, immediately conslut a physician, dont thing 'its nothing'.\n\nThe Origin of this Exercise is from Kyo Kushun Kai Karate, its the toughest kind of Karate, its meant to kick higher.
1100460
Be at least one of the following\n\n1)  an amazing athlete\n2)  a bodybuilder\n3)  6' 10" inches tall or more\n\nIf you aren't one of these, you have no chance.
424359
I think it depends on where do u start from. If u've been doing it all along, your bones, muscles and the whole system are trained and you are psychologically prepared for all the other restrictions that sports involve (you know, like food, sleep etc), you have all that knowledge and a network of people (coach, doctor etc) to support you - or you know where to find them.\n\nIf you are just starting now, you'll have to build all that up gradually. You have to start by checking w your doctor to see if u have some kind of medical problem (like heart problem, joints etc) preventing you from doing that. And then it depends on what u want to achieve - you might not be able to outrun younger weightlifters who have trained since adolescence, I mean if you want to go to competitions and things like that.\n\nBut just for yourself, if ur healthy and u build yourself up paciently, w the right food, I don't see why you couldn't build muscle mass, after all your hormones are there and they do have an anabolic function, among others.\n\nGood luck!
1168100
The best answer i can give you is maybe going to the nearest gymnastics facility and asking the owner or a coach to see if you can come in and work out a little.\n\nFYI: this is coming out of a gymnasts mouth
983025
I'll give you tips for preparing and for the actual tryouts if you decide to try out!\n\nAsk cheerleaders on the team for tips.\nFind a good gymnastics center in your area, and have skills such as back-hand-springs, aerials, front tucks, back tucks...\nUnless you are really tiny and are going to be a flyer, you need to get some muscle and lift some weights at least 3 times a week. Your going to be lifting PEOPLE and WEIGHT for every stunt. \nHave a solid jump.\nRUN. Fun a few miles every week. Start off at 1/2 a mile and work your way up. You need to train yourself or else you will get exhausted real fast. It may seem like a lot, but to keep up in cheerleading YOU NEED THIS.\nStrengthen your core. Sit ups help, but healthy eating does wonders. The core helps with good jumps and stunts.\n\nBe fit, on time and enthusiastic. Be prepared and alert to follow instructions. \nKeep a positive attitude. Always have a smile on your face! \nListen to your captain/instructor.\nDon't be late for ANYTHING.\nBe sure to stretch real good before and after tryouts. Don't attempt moves unless you already know them or have trained for them. It will cause injury and annoy other team mates. \n\nGood luck and have fun in cheerleading!
334399
its all in your head..gymnastics is like 90% mental..trust and believe in yourself that you can do it..if you keep telling yourself you cant, then youll hold back and might injure yourself. picture yourself doing that skill before you actually go...do lots of drills so you get comfortable or maybe have your coach spot. cheer yourself on (inside your head..i know it sounds funny..but i do it all the time on beam and it helps) and stay positive..i hope this helps..good luck!
920486
In my opinion, as a coach, gymnasts, once they hit level 5, shouldn't skip levels. If you're a 6 right now, you could do 6 in the fall and 7 in the spring, since level 7 and up competes after the New Year usually. But in level 7 you have to spend time working on your layout and front handspring punch front, both of which are crucial to quality elite front tumbling passes. Also, no one is an expert at giants on bars right away, and Level 7 is where you perfect your giants before starting pirouettes and whatnot in 8 and 9. As far as beam goes, when you get to level 8 you have to connect 2 backwards skills, like back walkover back handspring. In Level 7 you can perfect you backhandspring. If you rush your levels without spending a year at each one, you'll always be at the bottom of the pack in placements, whereas, if you do a year at each level, you're more likely to score in the 9s and 35s for your all around score. Some kids think they have a full on floor, so they should automatically move up to level 8, but tumbling is a small part of gymnastics. You have to be well rounded! Not to mention, think about how old you are. I don't know how old you are, but even if you're a freshman in high school, think sophomore level 7, junior level 8, senior level 9, and when you go to college you'll be perfected enough to join a gymnastics team and get a scholarship. If you skip levels though, there's a greater risk of injury and then you wouldn't be able to do gymnastics at all! The best route to go is a level a year, and if you're not making at least a 32 in your all around score by the end of the season, DON'T MOVE UP A LEVEL until you have at LEAST that (That's an average of 8.0 on each event). Good luck!
365969
They're both good, but you can have an actual paying career in dance if you're good enough.  No one gets paid to do gymnastics.  I love gymnastics, did it for 15 years, but it's hard on the body.  I'm 36 and in constant pain now.  Dance is hard on the body too, so it's a toss up.  Go with the one that makes you smile.  Do you like all the events in gymnastics or do you just do floor?  If that's the case maybe dance is for you.  However, if you can't live without bars or beam, then gymnastics is for you.  Good luck
948492
Hi gymnst: it takes years of practice and must meet Olympic\n goals as an athelet  with good grades were you should letter\nin freshman &softmore varsity first then try out for Varsity leauge\n that  is simple http://www.professionalchoreagrapher.com only\nchoice  I do reccomend as this program\n  please understand okay?