New Adult Gymnast

[Kim]

Hi everyone! I'm excited to be here. I'm Kim, 32 Years old and have NEVER taken gymnastics lessons in my life! I've always wanted to as a child but my mom couldn't afford it. I'm also not all that coordinated but now I am determined to try. My 5 year old niece has started taking classes and on a whim last week I signed up for the adult session. My first class is tonight. I must admit I'm a little intimidated--I'm not very strong--so my goal right now is to work on conditioning. Hopefully one day I'll be competent and confident enough to compete at the adult level.

Talk to you soon

Kim

 

[marie83]

Hi Kim, I am new here too and also an adult gymnast!

I hope you enjoy your first class! Keep us updated with your progress!!

Marie

 

[Kim]

Thanks Marie. I certainly will keep you updated as I'm sure I'll have tons of questions. Your Avatar says that you are a coach. How long have you been a gymnast? Any tips you can provide us young at heart but not so young in age?

 

[marie83]

Hi! Yes, I am a coach - been qualified since I was 14 so 12 years!

I grew up doing gymnastics just one hour a week so obviously didn't get to a high standard - was able to roundoff backflip (backhandspring) when I was 15 and that was my most difficult skill!

I took it back up when I was 23. Just turned 26 now. I spent a long time getting my strength and flexibility back, just doing a lot of basics.

I think it is important to take it slowly and don't expect too much too soon. If you can, just work at your own pace - the class I attend is great for that - the coach is on hand all the time, but we basically just get on with whatever we want.

Since starting again I can now roundoff bhs, tuck front somersault with support, handspring vault and cartwheel on beam! Wouldn't say any of it is competition worthy yet, but I am hoping to enter one later this year!! scary!

Good luck!

 

[Kim]

Wow, sounds like you have made excellent progress! I do plan to take it slowly and hopefully not expect too much too soon. I haven't done any apparatus yet but the beam scares me! The thought of doing a cartwheel on it just makes me Strength and flexibility are my immediate goals, as my arms are weak. How many hours a week do you spend training now?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Andrea1973]

WELCOME KIM & MARIE!! Go for it, gymnastics as an adult is even more fun than as a kid!!!

 

[marie83]

Wow, sounds like you have made excellent progress! I do plan to take it slowly and hopefully not expect too much too soon. I haven't done any apparatus yet but the beam scares me! The thought of doing a cartwheel on it just makes me Strength and flexibility are my immediate goals, as my arms are weak. How many hours a week do you spend training now?

Thanks for sharing.

Beam really scares me too! As a younger gymnast I never went on beam and did very little bars. It has taken a very long time for me to stop feeling nervous before doing a roudoff bhs! I used to take about 10 minutes to prepare myself! We don't have pits at our gym, but we used to go to a pitted facility once a month until it became too expensive - I actually got very brave there and started chucking tuckbacks, but can't see myself doing them in our gym for a while yet!!

The class I attend is just 3 hours on a Saturday, but I don't get to attend every session due to other commitments!

 

[Kim]

Thanks for the encouragement Andrea1973! I'm still a big kid, when I'm with my niece at the park I secretly enjoy swinging alongside her on the swings and getting real high in the air LOL

 

[Andrea1973]

I hear you, haha!!