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How can I tell if rhythmic gymnastics is the sport for me?

Michele Dolan
Certified Fitness Trainer
Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.

Michele Dolan

Certified Fitness Trainer

Expert Answer

If it is for you, you will want to do it more than any other activity and you will love the training, and look forward to all the practices.

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Question

How many hours a week does a rhythmic gymnast train?

Michele Dolan
Certified Fitness Trainer
Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.

Michele Dolan

Certified Fitness Trainer

Expert Answer

This varies based on your age and your level. A beginner might train for 4 hours a week and an advanced competitive gymnast might train for 4 hours a day. Start with an amount of training that fits with your life and your energy levels and budget.

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Question

I am 12. I have done rhythmic gymnastics from the age of 3 to the age of 11. I left gymnastics at the age of 11. Is it a good idea to start it again?

Sarah

Community Answer

Definitely! If you've trained for so long, you should continue if you still enjoy it.

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Question

Can I advance to higher levels if I start when I'm 12 and I've been dancing since I was 3?

Sarah

Community Answer

A background in dance will certainly help! Work on flexibility and apparatus handling as well.

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Question

Is it okay to start rhythmic gymnastics at 11-years-old if I'm already very flexible? I can do the splits (front and middle), oversplits, scorpion, and needle (almost).

Sarah

Community Answer

It is always okay to start rhythmic gymnastics! It will definitely help if you are already as flexible as you say - many gymnast work for a long time to achieve the flexibility you (naturally?) have. Continue working on your flexibility and enroll in a class!

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Question

How can I can improve the strength of my legs so I can hold my splits in the air?

Sarah

Community Answer

Check out how to strengthen your core and how to build your lower body strength . Make sure you can do overspills on a mat at least one foot high, and that will make it much easier.

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Question

However, can I do rhythmic gymnastics if I don't want to compete or get very successful, just for fun?

Sarah

Community Answer

Absolutely! Doing rhythmic gymnastics can help you get in shape and stay healthy, and is a great form of exercise.

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Question

Is there a way I can make it to the Olympics if I started rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 13?

Sarah

Community Answer

It will certainly be very challenging. Most rhythmic gymnasts compete in the Olympics from the ages of 16 to 24. You could reach the Olympic level with lots of work, but there is almost no chance you could win a medal unless you are incredibly naturally gifted. However, if you come from a country where rhythmic gymnastics is not very well-known and is underrepresented, it could be easier to qualify for the Olympics.

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Question

I'm 12 years old, I used to be a gymnast, but was never good at doing bars or vault. Is it too late to start rhythmic gymnastics?

Sarah

Community Answer

It's never too late to start any type of gymnastics. At 12, it may be more difficult to reach a high level, such as the olympics or level 7 or above, but that doesn't mean you cannot do rhythmic gymnastics, nor does it mean that you cannot achieve these levels without hard work.

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Question

I'm 9 years old. I started gymnastics a year ago but I still haven't got my cartwheel. Any tips?

Sarah

Community Answer

Check out How to Do a Cartwheel for more information.

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Question

I want to be a gymnast, but I'm already 10-years-old. Have I started too late?

Sarah

Community Answer

You're never to old to start gymnastics, and 10-years-old actually isn't very late. Make up for your lost time by working at home and taking extra classes.

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Question

I'm almost 9 years old and I can do all the stuff from up above. Should I join rhythmic gymnastics?

Community Answer

Sure, if you want to!

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Question

Is it okay if I start 8? Is it too late?

Sarah

Community Answer

Yes! It's okay to start at any age!

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Question

I have always wanted to be a gymnast. I'm quite big in size, and I'm 10. Is it too late to start gymnastics?

Sarah

Community Answer

It's never too late to start! If you're super tall, artistic gymnastics may not be the sport for you. However, it is good to be tall in rhythmic gymnastics, so give it a try!

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Question

I was an artistic gymnast when I was younger. I'll be 15 soon and am wondering, if I get very flexible, is it too late to start?

Sarah

Community Answer

It's never too late to start! Your history with artistic gymnastics will certainly help. Work on your flexibility and give it a try.

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Question

I'm 13, and I've been self-contorting since I was eight. I want to be in a circus someday. Is it alright to start rhythmic gymnastics now?

Community Answer

Of course. It is never too late to start rhythmic gymnastics. Since you have been self-contorting for a very long time, you should be able to catch on to the skills very quickly.

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Question

Do you need to be able to do back handsprings and back flips for rhythmic gymnastics?

Sarah

Community Answer

No! In fact, any sort of tumbling (excluding walkovers and a few other things) is not allowed at all.

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Question

I am 12. Can I start now?

Community Answer

Sure!

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Question

How can I get rid of the severe back pain I experience while doing gymnastics?

Community Answer

It sounds like your back is just really sore from your movements. Make sure to stretch out your back fully before doing any kind of gymnastics (even if you're a flexible person already) and if the pain doesn't improve, see a doctor.

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Question

Most rhythmic gymnasts are very skinny. What do they eat?

Community Answer

Eat as few starchy carbs (bread, pasta, processed sugar) as possible, instead eating lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc. A high-protein breakfast (no sugary cereals), salad and/or a protein like chicken for lunch, fruit or nuts for a snack, and a protein with salad or vegetables for dinner.

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Question

Is it possible to start at 14?

Community Answer

Of course. Just find a class.

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Question

Is it possible to do rhythmic gymnastics at home?

Community Answer

Of course! You can find all kinds of instructional videos online to follow from home.

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Question

Is it too late to start if I am 12?

Community Answer

No, you should be able to start at 12 as long as you practice a lot to get up to the level required. Make sure you find a good gym and get coaching.

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Question

If I'm not very flexible, can I still do rhythmic gymnastics?

Community Answer

Yes! There are also lots of stretches you can do to increase your flexibility.

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Question

Is it possible for me to go to the Olympics for rhythmic gymnastics? I'm 11 years old.

Community Answer

If you work hard and are qualified, you can do it. Keep that as your goal and just continue working hard.

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Question

I'm 12-years-old and want to master rhythmic gymnastics by the age of 13. Is it possible?

Sarah

Community Answer

No! It takes years of practice to become very good at rhythmic gymnastics.

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Question

I'm 12, and I recently got a ribbon for just casual playing around, but I have no idea what to do with it now. Any ideas?

JellyCat55

Community Answer

Join a rhythmic gymnastics club where they can teach you how to properly use it. Or look on YouTube for video demonstrations of ribbon moves.

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Question

Why can't men do rhythmic gymnastics?

Community Answer

They can, most just don't want to. If you want to do it, go ahead!

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Question

I'm naturally very flexible and I have a dance background. I'm 11 and I already started rhythmic gymnastics and I've been working very hard. My gym wants me to join the team, should I?

Community Answer

It is your choice. You can maybe try it out and if you don't like it stop. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing it or not doing it.

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Can I do rhythmic gymnastics if I'm not flexible and just want to use one of the apparatuses, like the ribbon?

Community Answer

Yes, of course. If you just want to use the ribbon, though, then try searching YouTube for some tricks with it. Otherwise, it may be harder for you to catch up with everyone in a real class without at least moderate flexibility.

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