Gymnastics was introduced into the United States in the 1930s. The first major international gymnastics competition was during the 1896 Olympics where men competed in horizontal bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings and vault.
In the early 1900s, gymnastics also included events typically considered "track and field" such as pole vault and shot put. These disappeared in the mid 50s.
Woman began competing in the Olympics in 1928 with the first US woman's gymnastics team participating in the 1936 Games.
The USA Gymnastics, became the national governing body of the sport in the United States in 1970.
Children can start participating in gymnastics at an early age, even as toddlers, and continue to participate through high school and college.
Depending on the level at which your child participates and how she feels comfortable, your child could wear shorts and a tee shirt or a leotard. If she participates in a team, she will wear a team leotard, and probably a warm up suit, as well.
Costs you many encounter include:
- Class fees
- Competition fees, to enter meets
- Membership fees, such as USAG and AAU
- Travel costs, for tournaments outside of your local area
Costs will vary by the club you choose and how far your child wishes to go with gymnastics.
A typical class consists of warm ups, work on the various apparatus, and cool downs and may include various games to teach skills. All activities are carefully supervised and taught by qualified instructors.
Children may participate at a recreational level or a competitive level. As they grow with the sport they may discover one of the less well-know disciplines within gymnastics. Did you know there are 4 altogether?
- Artistic Gymnastics 6 men's events (high bar, pommel horse, parallel bars, vault, floor exercise and rings) 4 women's (uneven parallel bars, vault, floor exercise and beam)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics Athletes use various apparatus while performing routines. 6 events (rope, hoop, ball, ribbon, clubs and group)
- Trampoline and Tumbling Features high flying tricks. 4 events (trampoline, synchronized trampoline, power tumbling and double mini trampoline)
- Sports Acrobatics Men's pairs, women's pairs, mixes pairs, women's trios and men's four participate in 3 events (balance exercise, tempo exercise, and combined exercise}
Competitive events include everything from local meets to the Olympics, including state, regional, and national competitions and college meets. Competitions include individual and team events.
USA Gymnastics Clubs exists throughout the community. My daughter participates at our local YMCA. We also have at least a couple of other gymnastics schools locally. To be sure your club is part of USAG, check with the head coach or look for the USA Gymnastics certificates on the wall.
To find a club in your area, try the Find a Club page at the USA Gymnastics Web site.
Pros:
- Your child is participating with properly trained instructors
- May programs and many levels to interest children with various abilities
- Athletes participate in both individual and team events, not one or the other
- Can get pricey if your child chooses to compete
- Can get time consuming if your child chooses to compete