“For over 25 years, I have seen incredible changes in each individual as they voyage their journey with gymnastics. Participating in gymnastics at a young age creates an over-all healthy well balanced athlete, giving them the ability to make good life choices with friends, exercise, and the foods they eat. I’ve seen first-hand the cognitive improvement with learning that is incredible. Gymnastics builds character, self-esteem, builds morale and better communication skills, fights depression, aids in weight loss, metabolic immune disorders, lowers blood pressure, and so much more. The skills and habits taught and created in the world of gymnastics are life changing.”
Cathy Gwilliam, owner of Barefoot Gymnastics.
Gymnastics carries benefits for both your body and mind. It is a great way to stay fit as well as build and maintain a strong immune system. Multiple studies prove the importance of gymnastics for bone, muscle and cognitive health. Gymnasts make healthy lifestyle choices and are conscious of what they eat, which affects their body and training. These are lifestyle habits that will benefit their emotional and physical wellness for life.
Once you recognize the health benefits of gymnastics, you will be amazed as to how it will help you make better health and wellness choices.
Gymnastics can turn you into the healthiest person you have ever been and here’s how:
PREVENT DISEASE
Because gymnastics will promote healthy habits with exercise and eating, it will help you ward off a wide range of diseases which includes heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes according to experts. The best way to reap the rewards of gymnastics is to have a consistent routine of conditioning and training.
HEALTHY BONES
Weight-bearing exercise benefits your bones because it helps them stay in shape and prevents brittleness. As we age, we experience a loss of one mass. To preserve bone density, engaging in weight-bearing moves from a young age can help preserve bone density and keep you from developing the bone disorders that can come with age.
WORK MUSCLES AND BURN CALORIES
Gymnastics definitely burns calories. Conditioning and routines help to tone and build muscle. Gymnastics will get your heart rate going and engage the total body with muscle and strength building. Gymnasts have the potential to be very slim and lean; this is due to constant conditioning and a consistent exercise routine which become habit
forming.
FLEXIBILITY AND COORDINATION
Gymnastics will condition your muscles to become very flexible and assist with coordination. This helps to reduce the risk of injury. Another benefit to flexibility and coordination is that you will gain control over your body during routines.
STRENGTH BUILDING
Every gymnast uses a wide range of muscles while doing gymnastics. This sport will definitely make you stronger. Muscles will tone and gain more definition. This strength will benefit other aspects of your life like carrying heavy boxes, lifting your children and other heavy items that life may bring you from time to time.
PERSONAL DISCIPLINE
This sport is not easy but the rewards are tremendous. Gymnastics requires a lot of commitment and self-discipline. Being diligent about getting to practice even through life’s interruptions, or working through discomfort and pain creates a strong discipline and work ethic that you will carry throughout life. The longer an athlete engages in this sport, the stronger the personal discipline.
“Being a gymnast myself for 9 years, it has taught me many life skills and lessons that I will use for the rest of my life. It has taught me that what I eat does affect my body as well as performances. By eating healthy and listening to my body, I have cured myself from migraine headaches. Gymnastics has taught me so many life skills that I put into practice every day with school and life. The skills have helped me grow as a gymnast and a person. My journey with this sport has been incredible and taught me so much.”
-Erika Matthews, achieving Level 8 and 9 skills.