Warming up
Before any gymnast beings to do gymnastics, the first and most important thing they
must do before their training is to do a general warm up to exercise the body before
starting any sort of activity. A general warm up should be at least ten to twenty minutes.
The three main things that warming up consist of are the following:
It increases the amount of oxygen in your lungs and the supply to the muscles and joints.
It increases the flow of blood going to and
from the various parts of the body and the amount of energy.
It makes the gymnasts mind more alert and helps their co-ordination.
Conditioning
Starting any sort of gymnastics is important to realise that the gymnast's
body must be conditioned. Gymnasts will have better bodies that are conditioned
for doing certain types of exercises. The most important qualities to develop in the
exercises these are as follows:
1. Tension
2. Range of movement or suppleness
3. Strength
4. Balance using hands, feet and other parts of the gymnast's body.
5. Endurance
The exercises are mainly used to improve the five listed qualities to help the gymnast
become more accurate and gain excellent performances as an gymnast.
Safety
The most important thing to remember is that the exercises performed by gymnasts
should be supervised at all times. Gymnasts will be training with a qualified
gymnastics coach so the gymnasts learn the movements perfectly from start. Here
is a list of the most important safety rules within gymnastics taking part in the sport:
1. Remember not to train on your own
2. Use mats when performing on the floor exercise to train on
3. No eating is permitted while training
4. Jewellery and watches must be removed before training
5. Gymnasts hair should be tied back properly
6. The apparatus must be checked before using it
7. Gymnasts must not train on slippery floors
8. Gymnasts must not perform any exercise without supervision
9. Gymnasts should not train when unwell as it reduces their concentration
10. Gymnasts must always warm up before doing any training
Clothing and Equipment
Girls - Gymnasts are required to wear a suitable leotard where as it is available
in many different styles and colours.
Boys - Gymnasts are also required to wear a suitable leotard and shorts or a
t-shirt and shorts, but leotards are mainly required for competing in competitions.
Tracksuits are required for the warm up, as it should be removed when
the gymnast's body is warm and should be replaced when the body
temperature of the gymnasts starts to cool down.
Shoes are available in different styles and sizes, as gymnasts like to wear shoes
with soft leather, as it helps gymnasts
to get to grips with their feet and with the apparatus.
Hand guards are an improved way of protecting the gymnast hands and
gives a grip when training on the bars and still rings. Hand guards
are made from soft leather and fits over the middle fingers on both hands,
as they can be adjusted round the wrist with the straps.
Gymnast's hair must be tied back neatly, if the gymnasts hair is not tied back properly
then it has a risk of being dangerous when performing on the apparatus.
Bags will be necessary as it holds all of the gymnast's contents and other
additional accessories such as, shoes, hand guards, chalk, wrist bands and
all the gymnasts clothing and training equipment.
Wristbands are used to support the gymnast's wrists if weakened or injured.
Originally made for gymnasts and aerobatic tumblers, now used in all kinds of
sports. Wristbands support wrists if weakened or injured while recovering. Not
intended as a replacement for proper injury healing, they offer temporary support
allowing some exercising aid to confidence. The tighter they are fastened, the
firmer the support they provide. Even with a one-hand injury they are sold in pairs
to maintain balance while training.
Chalk is used to put on gymnasts hands and feet as it helps prevent a gymnast's
hands from getting sticky when sweating. It also helps
prevent slipping while on the floor mats.
Training
Shoes are available in different styles and sizes, as gymnasts like to wear shoes
with soft leather, as it helps gymnasts
to get to grips with their feet and with the apparatus.
Hand guards are an improved way of protecting the gymnast hands and
gives a grip when training on the bars and still rings. Hand guards
are made from soft leather and fits over the middle fingers on both hands,
as they can be adjusted round the wrist with the straps.
Gymnast's hair must be tied back neatly, if the gymnasts hair is not tied back properly
then it has a risk of being dangerous when performing on the apparatus.
Wristbands are used to support the gymnast's wrists if weakened or injured.
Originally made for gymnasts and aerobatic tumblers, now used in all kinds of
sports. Wristbands support wrists if weakened or injured while recovering. Not
intended as a replacement for proper injury healing, they offer temporary support
allowing some exercising aid to confidence. The tighter they are fastened, the
firmer the support they provide. Even with a one-hand injury they are sold in pairs
to maintain balance while training.
Chalk is used to put on gymnasts hands and feet as it helps prevent a gymnast's
hands from getting sticky when sweating. It also helps
prevent slipping while on the floor mats.
