Parents How much does ballet help gymnastics training?

[InMyGymMomEra]

Hi all, how many of your kiddos have taken ballet as part of their gymnastics journey? Did it help their gymnastics, and if so how? Alternatively, were there any body shapes or habits they learned from ballet that didn’t translate to gymnastics or even got in the way? Fall registration has just opened for my daughter’s ballet studio, and I’m weighing whether it makes sense for her to re-enroll or drop ballet. As a former dancer myself I love the idea of her getting additional encouragement for extending her legs & pointing her feet (!!!), but maybe she’ll get enough of that in gymnastics itself? For context, she’s only 5yo and still in rec, so it’s probably not a big deal either way, though I have noticed her ballet teacher increasingly having to re-direct her from doing cartwheels/roundoffs & flipping on the bar while all the other little ballerinas are actually paying attention… Put another way, would she be better off just replacing the ballet with another hour of gymnastics if her goal is ultimately to make team? Thanks!!

 

[Gymgirl84]

I was a dancer (at a recreational level, just extracurricular classes at school) for like 2-3 years before I started gymnastics, and I think it helped a lot with my gymnastics, my form was always good, flexibility and artistry too. I still did ballet for 2 years into my gymnastics "career" (was a late starter, at 12 yo, competed from 15 yo until my 20s, I was mostly at a gold-platinum-like level).
I struggled a little bit because I was a little "archy" but I figured out just fine after some time.
I did love ballet, if your girl is not very interested maybe it is not worth it.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

It's absolutely beneficial... but she is only 5 - if she doesn't really enjoy it, the benefits for a five year old who doesn't really want to be there are minimal at best.

 

[3rd_time_around]

It helps a lot. My oldest gymnast started in ballet at age 4. At age 6 I let her take a gymnastics class, and just watching the class I noticed that she was generally better than the others (seriously, I wasn't being THAT mom). Anyway, after class the coach came to me and asked if she had ever done gymnastics before? I told her no, but she had been taking ballet since age 4. The coach said that she could tell, because she automatically pointed her toes without being told, and had generally good form.

My current gymnast didn't take ballet until after level 1, when I thought she just looked awkward and stiff during her floor and beam routines. She was 6 when she took her first ballet class. I could tell a big difference in level 2 where she was more graceful, better lines, better balance, and more confident. She continues taking ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary even today, and it shows in her floor and beam routine.