How to Get Into Gymnastics as an Adult
With elite gymnasts often competing in their teens and retiring in their 20s, gymnastics may seem like a sport for the youthful, but it’s really for everyone.
Read more →Sports & Fitness: Performance Training, Rules & Recovery
Elite athletic performance and general fitness are sustained through structured hypertrophy strategies, sport-specific conditioning, and rigorous adherence to injury prevention protocols.
The Difference Between Gymnastics & Ballet
Gymnastics and ballet both center on the athlete’s body movements -- the strength, balance, flexibility and artistry displayed in a performance. Despite these similarities, gymnastics and ballet are two different physical activities.
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Required Level 1 Gymnastic Skills
Whether a gymnast plans to eventually compete on a team or wants only to participate in the sport recreationally, all gymnasts in the USA Gymnastics program must master the required skills in Level 1 before advancing to the next level.
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At What Age Can a Child Work Out With Weights?
If you’ve ever heard that weightlifting isn’t safe for kids under 12 because it stunts their growth, you’re not alone. This myth persists despite lacking any truth, according to the American Council on Exercise.
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Basketball and Elbow Pain
Whether you're an NBA All Star like Lebron James or just an amateur playing hoops at the park, elbow pain can hurt both your physical and mental basketball game. In 2010, LeBron James told the Associated Press that he cannot avoid thinking about his elbow pain during a game.
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What is the Correct Length for Jump Ropes?
With one of the most inexpensive pieces of exercise equipment -- a jump rope -- you can receive an excellent cardiovascular workout. Jumping rope also helps you increase body awareness and hand and foot coordination.
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How Does Elite Gymnastics Work?
Elite artistic gymnasts are the best gymnasts in the world, competing for rankings and medals. Elite gymnastics begin once a gymnast has surpassed level 10 and met the elite requirements. In the United States, elite gymnasts are members of USA Gymnastics and follow the Federation de Internationale Code of Points.
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How to Begin Gymnastics If You Are 15
Carly Patterson was 16 years old when she won the all-around for women’s artistic gymnastics at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Paul Hamm was 21 when he won the all-around for men’s artistic gymnastics in Athens. Elite gymnasts begin the sport at very young ages because their bodies peak so early.
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Can Teens Join a Gym?
With more and more schools cutting physical education classes, joining a gym can be a great way for a teen to stay physically active. Teens need 60 minutes of physical activity a day in addition to a healthy diet to stay fit.
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Are Gatorade and Powerade Healthy for Athletes?
Gatorade and Powerade are the number one and number two sports drinks in America, respectively. Both brands have different flavors and lines. Gatorade has a line of three “performance” drinks for before, during and after exercise. Powerade offers ION4 and the ZERO calories series.
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Types of Jumps in Gymnastics
On the floor and the beam, gymnastics jumps are about height, flexibility, extension, form and speed. While the floor and the beam have some spring action, most of the height actually comes from the gymnast’s power.
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