When my little brother was about six, after months of doing cartwheels in our parents' bedroom and climbing the walls –– literally –– he asked to be put into gymnastics. Nine years later, he is a skilled gymnast who has competed in regionals multiple times and even done meets at the Air Force Academy and West Point. I sit on the couch and watch Netflix. Anyways, here are 14 things you know to be true if you had/have a sibling in gymnastics.
1. Girls wear leotards, guys wear step-ins
Believe me when I say there is no anger like that of a male gymnast who has just been told he wears a leotard. Learn to call it a step-in, or you will die.
2. For your safety, do not tell male gymnasts that gymnastics is a girls' sport
First off, you shouldn't be using the term "girl sport" as a degradation anyway, but don't try telling a male gymnast that what they do isn't as challenging as, let's say, football. I guarantee that you can't do a quarter of the things they can.
3. If you go to a lower level girls' meet, the floor routine song will get stuck in your head
If you didn't know, girl gymnasts basically use the same songs until they get to the upper levels. I can only take the same song for so many hours before I lose my mind!
4. It's almost impossible to memorize the names and technicalities of all the different skills
Honestly, I gave up years ago. Now I just nod my head excitedly when my brother starts talking about some new skill he learned and pretend I know what's going on.
5. Your sibling will always have an event that is the bane of their gymnastic existence
And when they come to that rotation in the meet, you just pray they'll get through it.
6. The mushroom
If you had a brother in gymnastics, you know what this is. If you don't, consider yourself blessed.
7. Chalk gets everywhere, it's best to just accept it
"I don't remember eating a powdered donut." *licks powder* "Not a donut! Not a donut!"
8. Meet season will inevitably involve giving up your weekend social life to travel across the state/country. Once again, it's best to just accept it
I don't even want to know how many times we've taken family road trips to Dallas or Houston. Hours in the car just to spend hours sitting on a hard bleacher waiting for dozens of other kids to do their routine just so you can watch the one person you came for doesn't seem like a very efficient way to spend your time.
9. Eventually, the judges become familiar faces
And you know exactly which one always gives your sibling a low score.
10. Older male gymnasts have no problem walking around the floor shirtless during warm-up
No comment necessary.
11. They mess up
Sometimes it's funny; sometimes it's terrifying.12. But eventually, they'll figure it out
And when they do master that flip or stick that dismount, you will be the loudest person in that arena.
13. You will be forever jealous of your gymnast siblings body
14. Nothing compares to your pride for them, regardless of whether they medal in their meet or fall off the high bar
