Gymnastics classes can keep kids physically fit, while improving their strength and coordination. Activities vary, depending on your kids' ages and genders, but most gymnastics classes include time on the trampoline and tumbling. If your kids are headed to their first class, knowing what to expect can help them feel comfortable and confident.
Equipment
Gymnastics equipment includes bars of varying heights, mats, vaults, pommel horses, balance beams and trampolines. Girls and women compete on the balance beam, uneven parallel bars, floor and vault. Boys and men work on the vault, parallel bars, high bar, floor, still rings and pommel horse. Floor-mounted trampolines and long, narrow tumble tramps are common gym equipment. These can be used to practice tumbling or in specific trampoline competitions.
Skills
Beginners start with the most basic skills to increase strength and balance. Girls begin with basics on a low practice beam, a single bar and tumbling on the floor. Beginner boys start with tumbling, bars and still rings. As skills improve, kids will begin to do more complex tumbling and combine the moves in a sequence, work on harder bar or ring routines and start working with competitive equipment, including regulation-height beams and parallel bars.
Competition
Gymnasts can start competing in compulsory levels quite young, and in optionals at age 7. At level 6 or under, gymnasts perform designated routines containing specific elements on each piece of equipment. Gymnasts in levels 7 to 10 create their own routines, using graded elements to achieve the desired level of difficulty. In optionals, gymnasts may choose their own music for floor routines.
Classes
Kids interested in gymnastics should start with classes at a reputable gym. Many gyms offer classes for children from preschool through high school. Girls wear leotards or leotards with short, fitted shorts. Boys can wear athletic shorts and a close-fitting T-shirt. Both girls and boys work out barefoot in gymnastics classes. Beginners and advanced students start with stretching and warm-up activities before working on tumbling or equipment. Parents should watch for adequate supervision and safety in the gym.
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