Is it too late?

[~JC~]

Hi, I turned 16 in January. My question is: Am I too old to start gymnastics with a goal of competing in the Olympics? What steps should I take to get there? I know it will be hard and very challenging, but I'm up for it. I'm homeschooled so my hours are flexible. I also took gymnastics when I was 7 or 8. I'm also curious as to how long it would take for me to become an Elite gymnast if I train as much as I can, possibly 3-4 times a week and practiced at home? Also, is it possible to advance more than one level a year? If so, on average how many? I am also wondering about my height I'm 5'5", would that be a problem? One last question, what are the basic/key skill requirements for each level? Thanks so much for taking the time to read these numerous questions!!

P.S. If not the Olympics, how far could I go competitive wise?

Thanks again!!

Peace*Love*Gymnastics!!

 

[GetaGrip]

Okay, first off, I'm going to avoid being all skeptical here. I've had the same questions as you, and I know that it doesn't help to have people putting you down. But I will tell you what you need to do.

~You are homeschooled. This is great. This means that you can do gymnastics a lot when you get better.
~If you haven't started gymnastics yet, then you will have to join soon, and definitely push it when it comes to conditioning/flexibility
~If you become an elite gymnast, you will need to go around 6 days a week, and around 30-40 hours all together. But this is just an example. Shawn Johnson only went 25 hours a week. I'm an accomplished level 7/8 and I only go 12 hours.
~Most people advance one level a year. Again this is just a guess. Some people need to compete levels more than once. I competed 4 and 5 in one year, and 6 and 7 in the next. So if you practice enough, it can be possible if your coaches support it. Also, don't be afraid of new skills an up-training.
~Here's some skills you'll need for each level:
Bars:
Level 4-Pullover, front hip circle, mill circle, back hip circle undershoot dismount
Level 5-Kip (both bars), front hip circle, tuck on, jump to high bar, tap swings, half turn dismount
Level 6-Cast above horizontal, clear hip, long hang pullover, flyaway
Level 7-Clear hip around handstand, cast handstand, giants, layout flyaway
Level 8-Half pirouette, Clear hip handstand, layout flyaway
Level 9-Hect, bar transition (pak, layout half, straddle back), double back dismount
Level 10-Release move of some sort, pirouettes, choice dismount

Beam:
Level 4-90 degree split leap, 3/4 handstand, side handstand dismount
Level 5-120 degree split leap, handstand, cartwheel, 120 split jump, side handstand dismount
Level 6- 150 degree split jump/leap, backwalkover/back extension, cross handstand into side handstand dismount
Level 7-flight skill (round off, backhandspring, front handspring), 180 split jump/leap, flipping dismount
Level 8-two connected skills (one flight), switch leap
Level 9-two connected skills (both probably flight), back tuck/aerial
Level 10-no boundaries

Floor:
Level 4- split leap step hop, back extension push up position, round off backhandspring
Level 5- dive roll, front handspring, split leap step side hop, back extension handstand, backwalkover, round off two backhandsprings
Level 6- front tuck, front handspring step out front handspring two feet, split leap step side leap, back extension handstand, round off backhandspring back tuck
Level 7- switch leap into other leap/jump, front handspring front tuck/pike/layout, round off backhandspring back layout
Level 8- switch leap, front handspring front tuck/pike/layout, round off backhandspring back layout full, front tuck round off layout
Level 9- switch leap (turning), front handspring front layout front tuck, round off backhandspring back layout 1 1/2 front tuck, Round off backhandspring layout full
Level 10- switch leap into jump, tumbling has no limits

Vault:
Level 4- Handstand splat back
Level 5- Handspring vault
Level 6- Handspring vault
Level 7- Handspring vault (full turn optional)
Level 8- Tsukahara pike
Level 9- Yurchenko pike/layout, front handspring front tuck
Level 10- Yurchenko twisting layout, front handspring into any flip (twisting or not), no limits

I hope this helps! I don't have everything here, but if you have questions, ask! Also, you should ask your coach for exact routines.

-Lauren

 

[zemirah]

To be totally honest, I'd say the chances of you being able to compete in the olympics are about nil. BUT - please don't let that stop you starting gymnastics. The only way you will know how far you get is by giving it a go and working hard (and you will have lots of fun in the process Good luck!

 

[Aussie_coach]

Its definitely not too late for you to start gymnastics and become and excellent competitive gymnast. The olympics would be basically impossible too achieve, but that shouldn't stop you because you could achieve so much.

The olympics in gymnastics is an incredible commitment, it doesn't happen training 3-4 times a week. The gymnasts training for the olympics train twice a day, around 6-7 hours a day, 6 days a week. So its around a 35-40 hour a week commitment, they do this for many years, most begin training 3-4 times a week by the time they are 6 years old and build up their training from there.

But as I said before, don't let this stop you, there is so much you CAN achieve in gymnastics. The first step is to get into a club. Be aware that many clubs won't allow someone of your age to start and work towards competing, but also many will. So when you are looking around for a club ask them to tell you honestly if there is a chance you would be considered for team, if not try somewhere else.

You need to reach a minimum of Level 4 to be able to compete, but again some clubs may prefer you wait until you are ready for level 5 because of your age. Expect to be training around 4 times a week for 3.5-4 hours a day by this stage. As you go up the levels hours will increase to 20-25 hours a week at the higher levels. This is just for basic competitive gymnastics, not elite gymnastics.

Also some clubs won't teach you after you finish high school, so find this out at the beginning, rather than being disappointed later. Find a club that will allow you to continue competing.

You can do more than one level a year, but there is no way to know if you would be a candidate for that at this stage. Just get started and take it from there.

Good luck.