Gymnasts Am I too old?

[FrozenMode]

I have been doing gymnastics on and off since I was 3 years old, when I was 4 I took a break until I was 6, than at 9 I took a break until I was 12. Now I'm 13 and have been trying to get serious with it and I have been struggling a lot. I can't do a back walkover without a lot of help, and I can't do a full handstand without falling sideways. I can't do a pullover or back hip circle, I just drop off the bar before I can get my hips over. My arms are really weak, I can't hold my chin up to the bar for more than 10 seconds. I'm obviously way bigger than most of my coaches are used to, most of my classmates are 5 to 10 (and way smaller, I weigh 130 lbs). What is the best way for me to try and get better, or am I really too old and out of practice for me to ever get to a serious level? I do really badly everytime and I don't know what to do about it. Any advice for me going forward would be really helpful.

 

[Coach Kate]

I would look for a gym with a junior high/high school class or program! We had plenty of kids starting or starting again at your age. It just takes a coach who knows how to help and hard work on your part. Conditioning is important for any beginner to help build strength, so you'll want to really put effort in that direction.

Are you headed to the Olympics or a college scholarship? Probably not, but there are definitely avenues for you to build strength and skills and eventually compete.

And as an encouragement, adult gymnastics is becoming more and more popular, with classes, camps, and competitions, so you don't have to stop in your teen years.