Gymnastics team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

This quote is exactly right. The amount of parents that actually encourage just one activity all year long dreaming of D1 sports or a rising start has skyrocketed. It is not normal for kids at such a young age to have such a huge amount of pressure on them. Are they confident enough without this activity or does it now define them and the parents? I see this in soccer, singing, instrument, lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming etc... It is sad these kids aren't enjoying a normal childhood. The ones all the pushy parents probably had but just perceive themselves as "average" and their kids must be "better, stronger, smarter!!"

[Anonymous]

Don't you worry about injuries? Such a tough sport on one's body! My DD is very interested in gymnastics, but frankly I'd rather steer her towards dance out of fear of injuries .. .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't mean to hijack, but I'm seriously asking those of you (especially females) who did gymnastics for hours growing up if it caused your height growth to be limited. I had a doctor friend tell me that the excessive amount of training (beyond recreational) would cause height to be stunted with young children. I'm wondering because I have a 6 year old daughter who really likes gymnastics - my husband and I can't seem to agree on how much is excessive. Thank you!

No. I'm not tall. No one in my family is tall. I'm taller than my mother and both grandmothers, and about the same as my sisters, so I doubt I was naturally intended to be any taller than this. Also, I don't know how that would even happen or work. It doesn't make sense.

But I don't really want to be any taller than I am, so I don't really care if it did. I don't have any ongoing problems. I'm a completely normal adult. And I really did love gymnastics as young as 5-6. When I was 3 years old my mom showed me gymnastics on TV and I insisted to her I would do that someday. I have a very distinct memory of seeing it, and feeling very strongly about it. I begged to go to gymnastics all the time, my parents couldn't have cared less and practically begged me to quit.

So, speak for yourself if you didn't love an activity at a young age, but it is possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't mean to hijack, but I'm seriously asking those of you (especially females) who did gymnastics for hours growing up if it caused your height growth to be limited. I had a doctor friend tell me that the excessive amount of training (beyond recreational) would cause height to be stunted with young children. I'm wondering because I have a 6 year old daughter who really likes gymnastics - my husband and I can't seem to agree on how much is excessive. Thank you!

No. I'm not tall. No one in my family is tall. I'm taller than my mother and both grandmothers, and about the same as my sisters, so I doubt I was naturally intended to be any taller than this. Also, I don't know how that would even happen or work. It doesn't make sense.

But I don't really want to be any taller than I am, so I don't really care if it did. I don't have any ongoing problems. I'm a completely normal adult. And I really did love gymnastics as young as 5-6. When I was 3 years old my mom showed me gymnastics on TV and I insisted to her I would do that someday. I have a very distinct memory of seeing it, and feeling very strongly about it. I begged to go to gymnastics all the time, my parents couldn't have cared less and practically begged me to quit.

So, speak for yourself if you didn't love an activity at a young age, but it is possible.

So you wanted something that your parents didn't want to drop everything ever day of their lives to accommodate you? What an awful childhood you must have had. And by nature, if you want something and can't have it, you want it even more. Who is to say, they okayed 4hrs of practice a day and spent thousands of dollars only to see you quit after one year. Because I see that scenario play out a lot more than a kids desire to practice one sport hours every day and parents don't accommodate.

[Anonymous]

We have a gymnast who started formal classes/training at age 7. At age 8 she was on a competitive team (level 3). She decided, on her own, to 'drop back' to a different form of gymnastics called XCel (it's competitive regionally and nationally but doesn't require the same number of hours/week -- 6-10 at her age, 10-15 next year). She loves it. (We no longer live on the East Coast so I'm not sure if XCel has made its way there....)

For a child who craves using his/her body in constructive ways and who's athletic and enjoys it, gymnastics can be AWESOME. It has taught our daughter so much about herself, about discipline, about teamwork and sportsmanship and coaching. She has had a couple of injuries, but she's bounced back, and that's been instructive, too.

She will stop at some point, of course, but she's already used the gymnastics skills in soccer as well as in diving. I know this sounds improbable, but the kids really do figure out how to balance homework, family time, fun, and sport. They also make friends outside of school -- a huge plus, I think -- and learn the value of so many things (including economics: our DC's gym has a booster club, and she understands that some of our volunteering supports that so that everyone can benefit from what is admittedly a major financial drain).

OP, please don't listen to all the negativity about letting a 'kid be a kid.' He will STILL be a kid: the coaches ensure that as do the children, themselves. The best party our family has ever had was a sleepover for DD's team. The girls got along perfectly, invented their own games and also pulled out Twister, watched a gymnastics movie in *complete* silence, asked for 'healthy food' and hydrated all the time, and did 'lights out' so they could get plenty of rest. Those 13 hours alone validated every second of tears and trials (for there are always those in competitive sports): this truly is one of the best choices our DC has ever made/been able to have in consultation with us. Good luck!

PS We did check with her pediatrician, orthodontist, etc., before committing -- we wanted to be sure we understood impact on her body, orthodontia, etc. All clear there .

[Anonymous]

My brother and I were essentially on that schedule, but for soccer. We were on 2 teams, practice 4 days a week for 1.5-2 hours each, games on the weekend (another 2 hours). We really had Friday nights without sports (this was not during our school's soccer season either). We were busy. Since it was my brother and I both partaking parents were going in different directions or we went with a friend (until we could drive). My brother and I both played through college.

We wouldn't have changed anything. We loved every minute! My sister started soccer as well, but after she was carted around she no longer wanted to play. I'm sure it was hardest on her, attending all her siblings sporting events (added in base/softball around age 9).

We only have 1 child, that's all we're planning on having so if they want to go all into a sport/activity, we're all too. If we had another child it would take more discussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok for this pp who was the very serious competitive gymnast as a kid and disliked school, please tell us about your life now. Are you a coach or some kind of trainer?

I found, sadly, that unlike swimming or basketball or softball, gymnastics is something you just can't do recreationally after about 18. So you spent your youth and adolescence that way and now it's gone.

I'm that PP. I did gymnastics through college. I coached competitive gymnastics once I graduated in addition to working full time. I ended up pursuing a masters and taught beginner gymnastics and competed competitively in trampoline and tumbling. Once grad school was done, I stayed with competitive trampoline until I ruptured my ACL at 29. I decided not go back after surgery and reconstruction, but that I was driven far more due to the fact that I live on the Hill and the drive to get the practice was 45 minutes each way. I get my occasional fix by bouncing at the trapeze school. These days, I, who hated school, am working on my PhD. I found by academic passion in college. And that discipline, drive, and pursuit of perfection that made me a great gymnast has served me extremely well in college and graduate schools.

Hi PP - we have a kid (still very young - 3) who is a crazy monkey and I think would love gymnastics. We also live on the Hill. Are there options that are closer than 45 min away?

A couple options in Arlington. My friend's daughter did tots classes at the Y and loved them.

Arlington Co. YMCA in Woodmont: http://www.ymcadc.org/branch.cfm?bid=15

Dynamic Gymnastics, just off Washington Blvd: http://arlingtondynamicgymnastics.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't you worry about injuries? Such a tough sport on one's body! My DD is very interested in gymnastics, but frankly I'd rather steer her towards dance out of fear of injuries .. .

Dance isn't any better. Tons of foot, ankle, leg and knee injuries in dance. Ever seen what pointe shoes do to feet? "Mangled" is a nice way of describing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't you worry about injuries? Such a tough sport on one's body! My DD is very interested in gymnastics, but frankly I'd rather steer her towards dance out of fear of injuries .. .

Dance has A LOT of injuries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

This quote is exactly right. The amount of parents that actually encourage just one activity all year long dreaming of D1 sports or a rising start has skyrocketed. It is not normal for kids at such a young age to have such a huge amount of pressure on them. Are they confident enough without this activity or does it now define them and the parents? I see this in soccer, singing, instrument, lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming etc... It is sad these kids aren't enjoying a normal childhood. The ones all the pushy parents probably had but just perceive themselves as "average" and their kids must be "better, stronger, smarter!!"

I found that as the kids got older this was just easier from a scheduling perspective as do other parents. Not having to worry about different sign ups, getting car pools to various practices, going off to different games each weekend was a huge relief. When you get multiple kids, I think this becomes even more important. So as soon as parents see that their kid is interested in something and can stick with it, the inclination is just to keep them doing that activity and sometimes the primary drivers is just convenience and ease and secondary are things like scholarships and Olympic dreams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8 year old loves gymnastics and is great at it. He has an opportunity to join the boys team. It's 3 hours of practice, 4 days a week - all year. The moms that do it say the kids love it, yes, a lot of time but worth it. I just don't know. That's a lot of time. Forget doing any other sport. Homework during the school year will be rushed along with dinner... But he loves gymnastics.
Thoughts?

My daughter is in competitive gymnastics, age 6. She trains 9 hrs a week and doesn't want to do any other sports. As long as she loves it and we can afford it we will support her.
For those saying it's too much time, just let them be a kid there are 168 hours in a week. There's lots of time. We still manage homework, playdates, school, free play, bike rides, swim, etc... . Even when my daughter isn't training, she's training in my living room doing about 250 handstands and walkovers a day till we force her to sit down. Some kids just have the energy to burn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a gymnast who started formal classes/training at age 7. At age 8 she was on a competitive team (level 3). She decided, on her own, to 'drop back' to a different form of gymnastics called XCel (it's competitive regionally and nationally but doesn't require the same number of hours/week -- 6-10 at her age, 10-15 next year). She loves it. (We no longer live on the East Coast so I'm not sure if XCel has made its way there....)

For a child who craves using his/her body in constructive ways and who's athletic and enjoys it, gymnastics can be AWESOME. It has taught our daughter so much about herself, about discipline, about teamwork and sportsmanship and coaching. She has had a couple of injuries, but she's bounced back, and that's been instructive, too.

She will stop at some point, of course, but she's already used the gymnastics skills in soccer as well as in diving. I know this sounds improbable, but the kids really do figure out how to balance homework, family time, fun, and sport. They also make friends outside of school -- a huge plus, I think -- and learn the value of so many things (including economics: our DC's gym has a booster club, and she understands that some of our volunteering supports that so that everyone can benefit from what is admittedly a major financial drain).

OP, please don't listen to all the negativity about letting a 'kid be a kid.' He will STILL be a kid: the coaches ensure that as do the children, themselves. The best party our family has ever had was a sleepover for DD's team. The girls got along perfectly, invented their own games and also pulled out Twister, watched a gymnastics movie in *complete* silence, asked for 'healthy food' and hydrated all the time, and did 'lights out' so they could get plenty of rest. Those 13 hours alone validated every second of tears and trials (for there are always those in competitive sports): this truly is one of the best choices our DC has ever made/been able to have in consultation with us. Good luck!

PS We did check with her pediatrician, orthodontist, etc., before committing -- we wanted to be sure we understood impact on her body, orthodontia, etc. All clear there .

Agreed 100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

My daughter is 6 turning 7 and she lives, eats, sleeps and breathes upside-down, bent in half. The passion is there and its not coming from my husband or I.
Neither of us ever participated in or cared for the sport.
Also, I have no idea what you're talking about gym upon gym filled with passionate and talented 1st graders. There are popular recreational programs that are very low commitment and a bit of good exercise for 1.5 hours once a week. The competitive program is quite small in my daughter's large gymnastics facility. There are only seven children in her age group training 9 hours a week and they all had to try out and earn it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

Agreed.

[Anonymous]

From my perspective: gymnastics ate my childhood. I would have told you I was enjoying it, and I was, but "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." I didn't know at the time how much I was missing out on (art, music, other sports, making friends outside the gym, reading for pleasure, babysitting, traveling, taking care of a pet -- you name it, I was too busy to do it).