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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Gymnastics > Gymnastics > Getting Serious.
Expert: Dean Dryer - 11/5/2009
Question
Hello, I'm 13, and I'm on level 5, almost level 6 men's in the J.O. program. The gym i go to is very small, and i feel like i could be getting more. The only problem is I'm on the team there, but i want to move to a different gym with better equipment, but i don't want to leave my team, and none of them really want to leave. I want to make it to the Olympics, and i know that would be a very big sacrifice. I only train 9 hours a week and it seems I'm already busy, but i want to make it my career. My parents keep telling me that I'm crazy and should just stick to what I'm at. I don't know either if I'm physically ready for more practice. I'd be willing to do it, but i get a lot of homework, and my coach is kind of new to the sport so he's learning, but he's really good, but i want someone else with him. My gym that I'm at seems to be more for little kids, although they do have team going to national this year. They don't have a lot of space for your stuff, so our event schedule is based around the little kids. I've been going for about 4 years now, so i kind of know everyone there too. I know its a lot, but i want to make sure i get in all the details. I really appreciate taking your time to give me advice.
Thanks,
Nick
Answer
Nicholas,
Glad to hear you're having such a great time doing gymnastics. Really loving what you do is, in my opinion, essential to success. Going to the Olympics is a great goal, but you have to understand that only 6 guys from the entire country go every 4 years. 6 out of 10,000 competitive gymnasts in the country. I'm not saying give up on that goal, but I would advise you to put your energy into something a bit more achievable in the short term. For example, think about what you have to do to make it as an optional gymnast (level 8 or 9).
This runs right into your current dilemma, whether or not to change gyms. To solve this problem, you should look at a few things.
1. Is there a gym close to your area that could suit your needs? You will need to do a little research on this one (if you haven't already), to find a gym that has a strong mens' optional program. Perhaps one that has recently send some gymnasts to JO nationals.
2. Can your parents handle a gym change financially? Generally a gym with a strong optional program is going to be more expensive than a gym without one, because they have to have a competent coach that has to be paid more. Also, I would assume that you would have to travel farther to get to another gym, this is also a factor.
3. Can you physically, mentally, and scholastically handle more hours in the gym? The average optional gymnast trains 18-21 hours per week. That's double what you currently train. Also optional gymnasts have to do alot more work per hour than a level 5 does.
4. Can your current gym serve your needs? Can they let you work out more hours? Is your coach competent to coach the optional levels?
When you can answer these questions, you'll know whether it is right for you to change gyms.
Best of luck with it,
Dean Dryer
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