I have a question for coaches about strenth to weight ratio and body type.
My DD is 8 y.o. (will turn 9 in Dec.), weighs about 70 lbs. I am not positive about her height. At her check up last year she was 4'1. I think she has probably grown another inch, at least.
Anyway, she has very, very muscular legs. And I don't mean that they're lean and muscular, they are thick and muscular. hen she stands to the side, you can see the curve of her hamstrings. She is very dense. On the flip side, she has decent abdominal strength and arm strength - she does the same conditioning as the other girls on the team. But, what I have noticed (I have been brought on as a PT coach at the gym), is that even though she might have better ab/arm strength than some of the other girls, she has a harder time getting her toes to the bar in leg lifts, she has always struggled with making a pullover look easy, etc. She is learning to kip right now, and while the extension on the glide is good (but could definitely still improve), she has a hard time getting her toes to the bar fast enough. I feel that she is bottom heavy (not that she is heavy - lol) and that her strength is disproportionate.
So basically, my question is this. If you have a gymnast who carries the majority of their strength and weight in their legs, would you condition their upper body more? What would be the smartest way for a kiddo with this body type to condition? My DD stretches and conditions at home probably twice a week. If she wants to condition at home, I would like to steer her in a direction that is beneficial for her and that will be of help. We do have one of those over the door chin up bars.
Thanks!
My DD is 8 y.o. (will turn 9 in Dec.), weighs about 70 lbs. I am not positive about her height. At her check up last year she was 4'1. I think she has probably grown another inch, at least.
Anyway, she has very, very muscular legs. And I don't mean that they're lean and muscular, they are thick and muscular. hen she stands to the side, you can see the curve of her hamstrings. She is very dense. On the flip side, she has decent abdominal strength and arm strength - she does the same conditioning as the other girls on the team. But, what I have noticed (I have been brought on as a PT coach at the gym), is that even though she might have better ab/arm strength than some of the other girls, she has a harder time getting her toes to the bar in leg lifts, she has always struggled with making a pullover look easy, etc. She is learning to kip right now, and while the extension on the glide is good (but could definitely still improve), she has a hard time getting her toes to the bar fast enough. I feel that she is bottom heavy (not that she is heavy - lol) and that her strength is disproportionate.
So basically, my question is this. If you have a gymnast who carries the majority of their strength and weight in their legs, would you condition their upper body more? What would be the smartest way for a kiddo with this body type to condition? My DD stretches and conditions at home probably twice a week. If she wants to condition at home, I would like to steer her in a direction that is beneficial for her and that will be of help. We do have one of those over the door chin up bars.
Thanks!