Practicing Safe Gymnastics
12/18/2009
Practicing Safe Gymnastics
By Syahrul Azlan Idris
Although it is a sport that celebrates strength, grace, and
flexibility among all others, gymnastics can also cause harm and
injury to its practitioners if athletes are not fully trained
and prepared in its execution. Even during practice, gymnasts
frequently fall and hurt themselves; somehow, it has become
commonplace to see gymnasts fall down and get up, again and
again, just so they could master every little detail about the
execution. If you are an avid gymnast or just starting to learn
about the sport, here are some valuable tips you could follow to
keep yourself and others safe and injury-free.
First of all, make sure that you are strong enough to handle
the moves that you are practicing. Yes, gymnasts look graceful
and are light on their feet, but underneath their muscles are
toughened and hardened like steel cords. If you have not
developed the strength needed for gymnastics, you will never
learn the moves and the skills, no matter how long or how hard
you practice. As a matter of fact, there is a great chance that
you may just end up hurting yourself.
Next, you need to pay attention to what is going all around
you. If there are other gymnasts practicing, being aware and
paying attention to everyone and everything is a requisite,
otherwise you and everybody else will start bumping, crashing,
and landing onto each other. Also pay attention to what your
coach is saying in order that you will learn faster, more
efficiently, and keep yourself safe in the process.
With that said, make sure you also know where the potential
fall zones are, and avoid sitting or standing near them at all
costs. There is still many a gymnast who, while waiting for
their turn, doesn’t stay well enough out of the way of other
gymnasts who need adequate space for dismounting or a place to
land. As a result, both athletes get injured. Also keep in
mind that the floor needs your attention, too. Gymnastic mats,
cables, pits; these and other obstacles are always in your way
and can be found all over the place, so you need to watch your
steps always.
If you need or want some space for practice, don’t hesitate to
ask for one. Remember, you’re the only one who truly knows if
you need a spot for your tricks and how big that spot is. Don’t
wait until it’s too late or right before you have to fall or
dismount. In the same breath, when you’re the one approaching
an area, make sure you stop and look both ways first before you
cross or enter. You’ll never know if a gymnast doing triple
somersaults is headed your way or if one is just seconds away
from landing on you if you don’t watch out.
Check all your equipment to make sure that everything is set,
sturdy, and stable, before you start doing any skills on them.
The handles and cables should be strong and tight enough to
ensure your safety when you are on it. Never, ever assume that
the equipment is safe or has been already checked; you’re the
one who’s going to use it, so you must check it yourself and
make sure.
Never do gymnastics when you’re the only person around; even
for trampolines. Gymnastics has its fair share of injury-prone
moments; don’t become a statistic yourself. Work out only if
there’s another person around to spot you, most preferably a
professional coach or trainer. Spotting requires knowledge,
strength and experience that only the professionals have.
Asking other gymnasts to spot you could lead to errors in
judgment that could result in serious injuries.
About the Author: Azlan Irda is the co-founder of
http://www.aboutballet.com, where you can get high-quality
gymnastic mats and other gym equipment. Visit us for all your
gymnastic equipment needs.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=140919&ca=Sports
By Syahrul Azlan Idris
Although it is a sport that celebrates strength, grace, and
flexibility among all others, gymnastics can also cause harm and
injury to its practitioners if athletes are not fully trained
and prepared in its execution. Even during practice, gymnasts
frequently fall and hurt themselves; somehow, it has become
commonplace to see gymnasts fall down and get up, again and
again, just so they could master every little detail about the
execution. If you are an avid gymnast or just starting to learn
about the sport, here are some valuable tips you could follow to
keep yourself and others safe and injury-free.
First of all, make sure that you are strong enough to handle
the moves that you are practicing. Yes, gymnasts look graceful
and are light on their feet, but underneath their muscles are
toughened and hardened like steel cords. If you have not
developed the strength needed for gymnastics, you will never
learn the moves and the skills, no matter how long or how hard
you practice. As a matter of fact, there is a great chance that
you may just end up hurting yourself.
Next, you need to pay attention to what is going all around
you. If there are other gymnasts practicing, being aware and
paying attention to everyone and everything is a requisite,
otherwise you and everybody else will start bumping, crashing,
and landing onto each other. Also pay attention to what your
coach is saying in order that you will learn faster, more
efficiently, and keep yourself safe in the process.
With that said, make sure you also know where the potential
fall zones are, and avoid sitting or standing near them at all
costs. There is still many a gymnast who, while waiting for
their turn, doesn’t stay well enough out of the way of other
gymnasts who need adequate space for dismounting or a place to
land. As a result, both athletes get injured. Also keep in
mind that the floor needs your attention, too. Gymnastic mats,
cables, pits; these and other obstacles are always in your way
and can be found all over the place, so you need to watch your
steps always.
If you need or want some space for practice, don’t hesitate to
ask for one. Remember, you’re the only one who truly knows if
you need a spot for your tricks and how big that spot is. Don’t
wait until it’s too late or right before you have to fall or
dismount. In the same breath, when you’re the one approaching
an area, make sure you stop and look both ways first before you
cross or enter. You’ll never know if a gymnast doing triple
somersaults is headed your way or if one is just seconds away
from landing on you if you don’t watch out.
Check all your equipment to make sure that everything is set,
sturdy, and stable, before you start doing any skills on them.
The handles and cables should be strong and tight enough to
ensure your safety when you are on it. Never, ever assume that
the equipment is safe or has been already checked; you’re the
one who’s going to use it, so you must check it yourself and
make sure.
Never do gymnastics when you’re the only person around; even
for trampolines. Gymnastics has its fair share of injury-prone
moments; don’t become a statistic yourself. Work out only if
there’s another person around to spot you, most preferably a
professional coach or trainer. Spotting requires knowledge,
strength and experience that only the professionals have.
Asking other gymnasts to spot you could lead to errors in
judgment that could result in serious injuries.
About the Author: Azlan Irda is the co-founder of
http://www.aboutballet.com, where you can get high-quality
gymnastic mats and other gym equipment. Visit us for all your
gymnastic equipment needs.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=140919&ca=Sports
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