I’ve done gymnastics for most of my life, starting when I took my first recreational class at the age of 5. Although my mom didn’t want me to do gymnastics, I fell in love with it instantly. After playing soccer and doing cartwheels on the field instead of paying attention, I entered gymnastics full time. By the time high school hit, injuries forced me to quit. When I realized FSU had a club team, I decided to come out of retirement. Gymnastics taught me numerous lessons and here are a couple of them.
1. Once a gymnast, always a gymnast.
Gymnastics courses through my veins running through my blood. During my four-year break, I continued to do backflips anywhere I could—in classrooms, on the lacrosse field, off diving boards. Every day I missed the gym and returning when I started college felt like I was coming home.
2. Imagine not being allowed to pick a wedgie…
Now, wedgies are one thing but when you’re in a leotard, trying to keep your ass from hanging out, a wedgie is the last thing you want. Especially during competitions when the judges are yearning to deduct points if you pick it. You just have to accept that everyone watching can see your cheeks.
3. Forget soft hands, why would you want those?
\
When you go to touch your hands, don’t expect them to be smooth. If you touch the bars, be prepared for rips the size of quarters and major callouses. No one will want to hold your hand but your hard work shows.
4. It isn’t a sport, it’s a lifestyle.
Growing up, I spent five days a week in the gym, including Saturday mornings. During the summer, we had eight-hour workouts to get ready for competition season. Gymnastics isn’t something you can pick up and put down. I spent countless hours in the gym perfecting my skills. My blood, sweat, and tears left stains on the equipment proving my existence.
5. Mind over matter.
In order to complete new skills, I have to get out of my head. I have to believe in myself or I won’t do it. Lately, I’ve been working on a double back dismount off the bars. I know I’m capable of it but it terrifies me. I tend to overthink so I don’t let go when I’m supposed to.
6. Safety comes first but it’s dangerous.
FOUR events with an equal chance of injury on all of them, no matter how many mats are put in place. For vault, you run full speed towards a stationary object in hopes of flipping onto and off of the table with enough height and rotation to land on your feet.
What could go wrong? On bars, you go back and forth between two while trying to catch the bar and not hit it with your toes. Doing tricks on four inches of wood can be complicated when you have no idea where you’ll land; welcome to the balance beam. Finally, floor comes with all sorts of possibilities for injury due to the complicated passes you can perform. Land wrong and you go down.
7. Choreography: annoying while learning but thrilling when performing.
Choosing music is the most exciting, it makes your routine unique. You have a minute and a half to shine a light on your personality and show everyone what you’re made of. It all comes down to the music. Then, the fun begins as you repeatedly go over the choreography, section by section, until it’s perfect (or as close to perfect as it can be). By the time you compete, you’re ready to show off.
8. Have you met thunder and lightning?
Oh, guns aren’t allowed at the gym? My bad. My friends tell me I’m ripped and toned quite often and I owe it all to gymnastics.
9. Don’t forget about the team!
Each routine is done and scored individually but it’s a team sport. You practice together, you travel together, you compete together. The scores may be your own but the greatest moment is when you hear your teammates cheering for you while performing your best routine.
10. Perfection is the goal.
Pointed toes, wobbles, landings. If anything is off, there is a deduction. The judges are literally judging you on everything you do. Every hand flick, every jump, every movement you make. They’re looking for perfection and if you’re not perfect, your score confirms it but that’s what you strive for during all those hours in the gym.
