These hours are really the norm around here. There may be some gyms that do roughly 4 hours less a week. Wow, 16 hrs. for Level 10 where you are? That is unheard of in my area of where I live. I live in the NY/NJ area and 16 hours is probably what Levels 4 do here in most gyms. WOW! We're at a well-known great elite gym that my DD absolutely loves. We followed her coaches there when they left the old gym. I've seemed to notice that depending what area/region you're from, my area I found, seems to be
extremely competitive and found they do more hours than other parts of the US. Yes you're right, You do always hear of "burn out" but honestly depending on the child that can happen with doing 16 or 18 hours of gym a week as well. Every child is different and what their bodies can handle is different. My DD loves being there. If she ever says she has no energy, doesn't want to go, or is failing school I would immediately question her gym time. She wants to go all the time.... even on her days off!!! lol (of course she stays home, when she's OFF she's OFF!) She gets upset if she needs to miss gym because of something. lol She's also a TOPS girl too, so there's excessive TOPS training during the summer as well and up until after National Testing (just made TOPS A team). I hope she doesn't get burn out and I'm aware that does happen in this sport....if she does, she does then I know she's accomplished alot at her young age and she can look on this as a time in her life in which she enjoyed it and excelled at it. I'm not expecting her to go to the olympics. She's enjoying it while she's in it. And if she doesn't get burnt out and decides to stick with this sport then all the better for her. She has her goals and dreams of what she wants out of this. All we can do is support her and monitor her...and make sure she's healthy, rested and happy. 25 hours a week is what she does and loves. Let's see if her body agrees as she gets older. lol Like I said, each child is different and she's been doing this for over 8 yrs. already (well, started competing at level 3 age 6) and I will support her for as long as she decides to keep in this sport. Luckily, she's never had any injuries and of course that's something we look out for. can it happen in the future...sure! But she's doing level 8/9 skills and hasn't had no injuries (*KNOCK ON WOOD* lol). The gym is strict about their diet as eating healthy helps aid in alot of things, and she's very intuned to her body. We listen to her and watch her closely and so far she's showing NO signs of stopping! haha She is a two-time state champion, going for three-time.
She had an undefeated season for 2 yrs. in a row. Her team had an undefeated season two years in a row. Everyone on her team came in the top 10 at states and there were 6 first place AA state champions out of the 3 levels her coaches coach.
Best of luck to you!!!!!