Physical Therapy Blog

Every single cartwheel, back handspring, or split a gymnast performs relies on the flexibility and strength of their hip joints. Think about it: each bend or stretch can push the joint to the end of its range of motion, and with the amount of bending and stretching a gymnast does each practice, the joint can become stressed. So how do you ensure that your hips continue to stay healthy and withstand the impact of your skills? 

We all know the strength required to participate in a sport like gymnastics, but how do gymnasts develop strength? What is their normal workout routine? When you think of these workouts, weightlifting may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Gymnasts must be incredibly agile - they can’t be too bulky by lifting heavy and still perform at a high level, right? This thought process is a common myth throughout the gymnastics community, but in reality, weight training can be instrumental in staying healthy, preventing injury, and promoting the longevity of a gymnast’s career. But what would this look like, and how would you have the time to fit it into an already-packed training schedule? 

When you are looking for a gymnastics gym for yourself or your child, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. Many communities have multiple options for gymnastics, and Birmingham is no exception. We have a thriving gymnastics community in our city with many nationally-ranked competition teams. With so many choices of gyms in the area, how do you decide which one to join for your or your child’s gymnastics career?  

While being a kid is hard, being a competitive young female athlete can be even more challenging. On top of regular schoolwork, many young athletes train for 25-30 hours per week; whether they realize it or not, this can dramatically affect their mental health. So what can these kids do to stay healthy and competitive? And how can their parents support them through it all? 

While being a kid is hard, being a competitive young female athlete can be even more challenging. On top of regular schoolwork, many young athletes train for 25-30 hours per week; whether they realize it or not, this can dramatically affect their health. So what can these kids do to stay healthy and competitive? And how can their parents support them through it all? 

Have you been told that you are double-jointed? Have you always been able to touch your toes? If the answer is yes to these questions, you probably have a hypermobile joint system. How do you know what kind of body type you have? And what are some of the characteristics of hypermobility? 

Gymnastics is a rigorous sport. Every skill required of these athletes puts significant stress on their bodies, increasing the gymnast’s risk of injury. So what happens when a gymnast’s body cannot perform? How can they continue to improve while not overtraining?