Gymnastics

Artistic Gymnastics vs. Rhythmic Gymnastics Both women’s artistic and rhythmic gymnasts dedicate the majority of their time in the gym. They are each international sports governed by the Federation International of Gymnastics and participate in a standardized level system ranging on from level 1 to level 10. Artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics share the concept of perfection and scoring of the ten point system. Although they have many similarities, they also have many differences like the apparatuses, the use of competition and the style. Artistic gymnastics is the development of physical agility and coordination. Girls compete four events individually: vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor. In this, they demonstrate strength,…

Gymnastics was started by Ancient Greeks. Gymnastics was introduced by early Greek civilizations to facilitate bodily development. They did this through a series of exercises that included running, jumping, throwing, wrestling, and weight lifting. After Romans took over Greece, they made gymnastics into more of a formal sport. They used gymnasiums to physically prepare their men for warfare. With the decline of Rome, interest declined in gymnastics with only tumbling left as a form of…

I started gymnastics at the age of three. Running around and playing with others kept me excited to learn more and advance in the sport. I participated through the age of 13 before I decided to quit and concentrate more on school work. Gymnastics played a huge role into the person I am today. Having been a free spirited wild child, gymnastics was perfect for me. I practiced twice a week for two hours. During each practice there was about five to six different activities we worked on. This…

I felt the fire start in my toes as I watched Kyla Ross nail her uneven bars dismount at the 2012 Olympic Trials. She competed in California and I watched from Colorado, but I felt present in that moment. The energy struck me in a second and I fell in love. Gymnastics-watching it, reading about it, attempting to do it-became part of my everyday life. At first, it seemed that my newfound enthusiasm would be a phase: everyone loves gymnastics during the Olympics. My passion persevered. Over time,…

I grew up loving gymnastics, especially since my parents put me in gymnastics classes when I turned two. I love the feeling of stretching myself in unnatural ways and the rush I get when I show my friends a split, even in jeans. I adore the thrill and excitement of flying dangerously through the air, sometimes on a four inch piece of wood, and sometimes off of a bar eight feet in the air. I have never loved anything like I have gymnastics and I don’t think I ever will. My dream and number one…

It all started when I was a young child. Gymnastics was my big talent out of the many that I have and it still is. It was a long hard day at the gymnastics competition but I kept on pushing. Everything had changed when I got selected to be in the nationals gymnastics competition for 2012. It was the day of nationals. I was practicing and trying so hard to achieve my goal of being one of the best. Having the experience of being at nationals was a huge journey for me to be apart of. When the…

Although gymnastics isn't considered a race, young elite gymnasts themselves are definitely in one. They're in a race with their own growing bodies and with all aspects of the sport that they dream of conquering to bring home Olympic gold before they expire. The physical and mental deterioration from the pressures of winning are brought on through intense training tactics implemented by coaches, their own parents, and even the governing body of gymnastics worldwide. The International Gymnastics…

Learning how to do gymnastics Imagine if around you there were people taunting you by doing things you couldn't do. How would you feel? Well, this is how I felt in fifth grade. I would watch other girls do cartwheels or other amazing flips and tricks. Whenever I would tried to do a cartwheel or handstands I would fall on my face. This caused me to go home one day in tears. My grandma asked why I was crying. I told her what was happening at school every day. That weekend she took me to this…

My whole life I’ve done one thing: Gymnastics. I fell in love with the sport in a preschool class at the YMCA when I was 2 years old. I haven't stopped doing gymnastics since; I practically grew up in the gym. My life has consisted of blood, sweat, and chalk for 15 years and counting. I have always loved the challenge of driving myself to do skills that seem crazy and even impossible. I love flying through the air, defying gravity and feeling like I am unstoppable. Gymnastics is tough; it…

“Never give up and always keep fighting, because though times may be tough, the sacrifices do pay off, so just keep pushing towards your dream and just love it at the same time and enjoy it.” This quote by Gabrielle Douglas proves that she never gave up. Her whole childhood revolved around gymnastics. She started her career off at a young age and continued to excel each and every day. She ran into many obstacles along the way, but that did not stop her from becoming the best gymnast that she…