Before You Practice or Compete As with any athlete, gymnasts benefit from advance planning. Here are some things you should do: Stay in good shape. Eating a healthy diet and staying in good physical shape — whether you're competing or not — is particularly important for gymnasts. Almost all gymnastic maneuvers require strong muscles and excellent coordination, both of which are enhanced when you keep yourself fit. Staying in shape also will make you less susceptible to injuries. Get a good...

It's the satisfaction of a perfectly executed routine. It's the thrill of spinning around the uneven bars or swinging from the rings. It's the precision of the balance beam. It's gymnastics, and for millions of people with Olympic dreams, it's a great sport and a fun way to get a muscular, toned body. Gymnastics presents a very real risk of injury, though, with its demanding physicality and immovable equipment. To help keep things safe during practice and competition, follow these...

Young gymnasts everywhere aspire to go to the Olympics one day and compete for the gold. While the road ahead will not be easy, staying healthy while participating in gymnastics will be the key to helping gymnasts’ dreams come true. Here are 5 tips to staying healthy in gymnastics to help keep gymnasts flipping on the beam, tumbling on the floor, vaulting through the air, and swinging on the bars. Good flexibility is important –Gymnasts are super flexible right? Not always!...