Gymnastics is a great sport to experiment with forms of fitness you really can’t try in any other areas of athletics. With that being said, it requires a lot of time, practice, patience, and flexibility to rise to a competitive level. If your child is interested in giving gymnastics a try, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re ready. Gold Medal Gyms discusses when your child will be ready for gymnastics classes and what age to enroll them.
Are They Ready?
Not every child is the same. While some children may develop athletically at an early age, other children will not progress at the same rate. Before you enroll your student, look for these tell-tale signs to make sure they’re ready to start gymnastics.
Have they verbally expressed interest?: If your child has mentioned gymnastics, or maybe they enjoy watching matches on TV, they may be interested in giving our sport a chance.
Is Your Child High-Energy?: Some of the best athletes we train begin as little balls of energy. Does your child love to climb and bounce around the house? They may be a good candidate for gymnastics. Plus, it’s an excellent way for them to burn off some of that excess energy.
Do they have the basics down?: Gyms won’t expect your child to be a professional gymnast when they enter the gym for the first time. However, some physical abilities like balance, hand-eye coordination, climbing, crawling, and jumping will be beneficial. While these skills will be developed in class, an established skill base can be helpful.
When To Enroll
If your child is ready to take on the gymnastics world, it’s time to decide when to enroll them in classes. Some gymnastics programs take children as young as toddlers, but many coaches and instructors suggest waiting until your child is between the ages of 4 to 6 to really know if they’re ready and suitable for the program.
It may also be wise to get your child involved in other sports before gymnastics, as activities like soccer teams and dance classes can help your child develop the introductory skills needed to thrive in a sport like gymnastics. If your child is older than the typical starting age, that doesn’t mean your child is excluded. Gymnastics and tumbling classes are still great for teens, especially those wishing to gain a few extra skills for cheerleading tryouts.
Enroll Your Child In Gymnastics
Whether you’re 5 or 15, there is an opportunity for you to give the sport of gymnastics a try. Gold Medal Gyms is a great place to start your journey in the gymnastics world, from beginning classes to elite team classes. Call us today at (417) 732-4100 to look into our available classes.