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Try Gymnastics for Fun and Fitness!
  

    Gymnastics is a great way to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. You can develop muscles and strength to help you in other sports and activities. And the best part - Gymnastics is a great way to meet new people and have fun!

It doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl—gymnastics has a few different categories to choose from so you can find your favorite. Artistic gymnasts use lots of skills to perform on many different kinds of apparatuses (pieces of equipment). Boys participate in six events (floor, vault, parallel bars, high bar, still rings, and pommel horse) and girls in four (floor, vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam). Gymnasts who participate in rhythmic gymnastics jump, tumble, flip, and dance to music while using rope, hoops, bars, or ribbons as part of their routines. In gymnastics, there's something for everyone!
  The most important gymnastics rule to remember is to know what you’re doing! Never attempt a trick you are not familiar with. Make sure you always have a trained spotter (someone who stands near you in case you need help while doing your tricks) just in case you lose your balance on the beam, or attempt a wobbly handstand.

Before you attempt any trick or stunt, always make sure the equipment is sturdy and has been set up properly (always ask a coach or another grown-up for help). Floors should be padded with mats that are secured under every piece of equipment. Also, make sure there is enough distance between each piece of equipment before you start swingin’! Collisions can cause you, or others around you, to get hurt if you don’t watch out. Use your head! Pay attention and be serious about your practice — horseplay and goofing around can get you into trouble! Always know what your teammates are doing and where they are.

And last but not least, never eat or chew gum while doing gymnastics — the moment you become unaware of what is in your mouth, it can easily become lodged in your throat and you could choke!


Here's a few tips to help you get started:
The handstand is one of the basic skills of gymnastics. If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to practice your handstands against a wall until you get your balance and build up your strength and confidence. And remember, it is always good to have a spotter—just in case you need some help along the way!

Follow these tips to a perfect handstand:
  • Face the wall.
  • Get in a squatted position so that your knees are bent and your body is close to the ground.
  • Put your hands on the floor with the tips of your fingers facing the wall (your hands should not be any wider than shoulder width apart).
  • Bend your head down to the floor—keeping it between your arms.
  • Kick your legs up putting all your weight on your hands—keeping your upper body straight and tight.
  • Once your feet hit the wall, straighten out your legs.


    Ready to  try something a little harder?

  Steps to a fun and safe cartwheel:
  • Stand in a ready position, your "favorite" leg in front, knees bent slightly. To find out your favorite leg, stand up and take one step. The leg you step forward with first is usually your favorite.
  • Raise both of your arms.
  • Reach forward with your right arm, putting your right hand on the floor/ground.
  • Shift your weight to your right arm and kick your left leg up (If you're a lefty, reverse these directions).
  • Your left hand should follow very quickly—as it touches the ground, shift your weight to your left arm. Your right leg should be off of the ground.
  • Bring your left leg down, right hand up, right leg down, left hand up.

    Gymnastics doesn’t require a lot of equipment, but there are certain things you’ll need for specific events, and some standard gear that all gymnasts might need.

    Female gymnasts usually wear leotards (one or two piece outfits that fit snuggly to the body). Boys can wear running shorts or sweatpants with fitted tops, or with your shirt tucked in. Just make sure you don’t wear clothing that is too loose—it could get caught on the equipment when you are performing your tricks and cause you serious problems! For those of you with long locks, you’ll need to pull it back with a hair band or in a braid—this will prevent it from getting in your face during your routine which could cause you to lose your concentration.

     Many gymnasts wear hand guards and use chalk to prevent their hands from slipping when working on the floor mats, rings, or bars. These hand guards help prevent blisters and make it easier to swing around on the bars

    Gymnastics involves a variety of quick, sudden movement. You'll often use quick bursts of speed and turn your body quickly in different directions. All this movement helps build and strengthen the muscles in your arms and legs and strengthen your core! You can really tone your whole body  and build stronger abs performing your favorite  gymnastics events!

     Keep your body in top shape - exercise and build your strength so you can have the most fun! Staying in good shape is always easier when you exercise regularly and enjoy eating healthy foods!

     Gymnastics will help you tone and strengthen your whole body. Many high and college cheerleaders enjoy gymnastics and find it helpful for performing their cheer routines! Gymnastics and cheerleading go hand in hand and really complement each other well.

    For better fitness and more fun - you'll want to stay in the best possible shape and condition. You might enjoy these ten tips for better fitness and these tips for building healthy muscles.

    As with any sport, take some time to warm up before you play. Try jumping rope or jogging in place for a few minutes. Then, spend a few minutes stretching. And, after your practice be sure to spend a few minutes cooling down. Finish your fun with some healthy stretching. Stretching helps keep your muscles flexible and healthy! Take care of your muscles and make stretching a part of every workout and practice.

    Gymnastics is a great sport for having lots of fun,  and making new friends! Join the fun and try gymnastics!

   

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