Flexibility Proves Rewarding for Gymnasts

By:Gretchen Harriman

Inside the chalked filled gym the talented young women, coached by Wayne Clark, stretch and strengthen their muscles, build endurance, flex their bodies, and practice routines over and over. The constant repetition is often monotonous, but each young gymnast recognizes the importance of their strenuous workout knowing that it leads to improvement in her precise routines. The many hours spent inside the gym will hopefully benefit the gymnasts when they compete in various gymnastic meets held during the fall, winter, and spring competitive seasons.

Daily schedules inside Lamoreem gym frequently follow the same basic pattern. The warm up consists of aerobic activities and stretching every muscle from the longest leg muscle to the tiniest wrist muscle. Each gymnast completes numerous maneuvers to improve her flexibility focusing on her back, shoulders, and legs. Sessions on each gymnastic apparatus follow each warm up.

During a typical workout Lamoreem team girls repeatedly perform their individual routines and skills on four different apparatuses: the bars, the beam, the vault, and the floor. As the gymnasts move from the high bar to the low bar, their bodies turn and twist. Sore hands and arms reach out in hopes of always gripping the bars. Balance, focus, and controls are requirements when moving up and down the four-inch balance beam. Constant repetition on the beam helps promote confidence for future gym meets. Each gymnast body receives continual pounding as she skillfully vaults over the horse always hoping to stick the landing. Time spent of floor offers a change in the relentless workout. The tumbling is difficult, but each dance movement gives the gymnast the chance to feel the music. Sessions on the different apparatuses end, but the workout is not quite over.

Before heading home, each gymnast spends time completing necessary conditioning elements. Pull-ups, pushups, leg-lifts, sit-ups, crunches, and ankle rises are just a few of the fundamental requirements. Allison, Haley, and Georgie all agree conditioning is their least favorite activity during the workout.

Allison, Haley, and Georgie follow the typical profile of a young gymnast. Each girl began gymnastics at a very young age at Lamoreem. Although these team members are in junior high they are still small when compared to the size of their peers at school. Fortunately for Allison, Haley, and Georgie, their bodies are naturally lean so unlike many gymnasts these girls do not need to avoid high calorie foods. The long hours spent in the gym have forced each team member to make the most of every minute outside the gym. Homework is promptly completed, other activities are sometimes forfeited, and dinner is usually rushed.

Their interest in gymnastics extends beyond Lamoreem gym. Throughout the year the girls eagerly follow national and international competitions. When time permits these Lamoreem teammates enjoy traveling to elite competitions to watch fellow gymnasts compete at the college or national level. Watching older gymnasts not only inspires the girls, but enables them to recognize that their simple skills eventually lead into breathtaking routines.