Learn Gymnastics at Home

Have you have seen gymnastics at the Olympics and thought, "Boy, I would love to do that!"? While doing gymnastics at home without professional instruction can be dangerous, here are some things you can do.

Steps

  1. Build strength. Use weights. Do sit-ups and push-ups. Use 0.5kg-2kg (1lb-4.5lbs), weights for ten solid minutes everyday, do all the helpful exercises you can think of. Do fifty sit-ups and ten push-ups (or more if you are stronger), a day as well.
  2. Become more flexible. Get into the splits position until you start feeling a burn. From there, put your elbows on the ground and hold that position for 30 seconds. Find other types of stretches as well and perform them every day for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Have a Simple Workout Plan and Stick to It before you do any tricks. When the fortnight is over, you can begin. Practice these skills: forward roll, backward roll, cartwheel and handstand. on the grass or a gym mat is fine.
  4. Search some helpful videos. For help on how to do these skills, visit Youtube and type in: "How to do a (skill)". Some helpful things should come up. Take notes and head outside to practice. However, if nothing of value comes up, head back to your favourite search engine or tool bar and type in the same thing.
  5. Get a friend/family member to take a video of you performing your practice. Then compare your skills to the skills of the gymnasts from the video you watched. Change things that need changing, improve things that need improving and most of all-have fun!!
  6. Move on to Get Better at Tumbling. When you've mastered the basic skills, it's time to tackle skills like round-off, handstand roll and back-bend (some times known as a bridge).

Tips

  • Do a simple workout before you stretch such as running.
  • Be patient when trying out new tricks, take your time while you practice.
  • For a back bend, look at your hands and tighten your whole body.
  • For the best splits, lean back at the waist, straighten your legs and take deep breaths.
  • For the best skills if you are practising them on grass, make sure the grass is soft and spongy, and on flat land.
  • Always stretch for half an hour or more before doing any advanced skills.
  • See if there are any gymnastics DVDs you can buy. They will help a lot.
  • Get a good spotter for back bend if you are just starting to learn it..... Then move on and maybe you can do it by yourself!
  • Practice on a trampoline and when your really good do it on the ground.
  • Stretch while waiting for your toast to pop.
  • Don't just do gymnastics. You must stretch or you will hurt yourself. Warm up your body or take a Warm bath. Enjoy!
  • If you want to get motivated then get a wii-fit on your LCD and workout while watching the tutor on the screen and working out with the tutor.
  • If you have trouble with the hand stand, start with a back bend and lift off your feet to a hand stand. Try every single day until perfection.
  • Stretch your back and shoulders out by holding back bends for 20 seconds daily.
  • Use an adult to help you with any hard stretches.
  • If you are scared to try a new trick, put a blanket down where you will land. If it is the first time trying the trick, try to get someone who has tried it before and get them to spot you.

Warnings

  • Make sure you're in an open area! Clear some space to practice, so you won't break anything or get too hurt.
  • You also do not want to hurt yourself so make sure you stretch before engaging in gymnastics.
  • Don't work too hard, you can take a break when you need to!
  • Be careful! Make sure someone is supervising you at all times. No matter how old or advanced you are, accidents happen. Remember that.

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