For the past ten years, I’ve owned and operated a gym where I train gymnasts.
I work with athletes from two to twenty-years-old.
It is my job to not only teach and explain the proper body position to accomplish the various skills, but to provide physical assistance. I am there to guide and catch their bodies as they attempt the different maneuvers. I provide all sorts of drills to prepare their minds and muscles to achieve these difficult skills. I never allow the students to progress until they are fully ready and confident. However, for the sake of safety, I need to provide hands-on spotting. Many of my students are taller and heavier than I am. In order to properly perform my job, without allowing injury to the athletes or myself, I need to keep myself in peak physical condition. Above and beyond teaching the kids, I devote an hour every morning to my personal workouts. I focus heavily on stretching and flexibility. It’s important that I can react quickly and have optimum range of motion. My flexibility helps to avoid muscle strains and tears. I also concentrate on strength training. I lift weights and concentrate on push-ups, pull-ups, plank holds, lunges and squats so that I can successfully support the weight of my students. I also need endurance. Training sessions with the athletes can be long and exhausting. I jump a lot of rope and go for long runs so that I can keep up without getting exhausted or sore. I really love what I do and enjoy working with the kids and helping them build healthy habits and confidence.