Gymnastics for Beginners: Drills, Flexibility and Home Training

Gymnastics drills for beginners focus on building the flexibility needed for splits and backhandsprings. Learn the requirements for various levels and how to train safely at home as a kid or adult.

Young woman performing stretching exercises, posing in studio, portrait

How to Do a Painless Split

Published Mar,25 2012 | By Brynne Chandler

Doing a split looks easy when gymnasts or cheerleaders do it, but it’s harder than it appears for anyone who is not naturally flexible or who is new to flexibility training. Stretching out the inner thigh, hamstrings and calf muscles is necessary for a perfect split.

Brynne Chandler is an avid runner, swimmer and occasional weight-lifter who fell in love with all things fitness related while writing TV Animation in Los Angeles. Her passion for healthy living and fascination with nutrition led to taking classes at the University of California Northridge, working with chefs, caterers and inspired her second career writing non-fiction and instructional articles. Brynne is hard at work on her first cookbook which combines simple, fresh recipes with science-based natural health remedies.