Q&A for How to Become a Self Taught Gymnast

Try getting a spotter to help. Stretch every day and watch other people doing the particular skill, including using videos. Think about yourself mastering the skill. If it still doesn't help, say to yourself: "I'll be great at this", as a personal pep talk. Finally, take it gradually -- you are not going to master any single skill, let alone all of the skills, in any hurry. All of this takes time, patience and dedication.

Do it on grass. You can still do gymnastics but it would be safer to do it in grass.

Practice by doing pull ups, push ups, planks, etc. Doing these basic exercises will help build your muscle and your confidence as well.

Nothing is achievable without a lot of trying and everything is achievable with a lot of trying. Practice gymnastics for at least one hour every day (no cheating like skipping Friday and doing 2 hours on Saturday) Use other wikiHow articles on gymnastics to broaden your understanding and routines. It is possible to become an elite gymnast starting off with online courses, wikiHow articles and YouTube videos first, and then local classes followed by private lessons and coaches.

It is true, there are times when no one will spot you or you do not want other people around when you are learning the skills. That is all right for some tricks. Try to learn the handstand against a wall. Learn your walkovers by using a raised surface for your feet. (Get into the bridge position, put your feet up on the raised surface and do the walkover from there. Use a trampoline for the other skills first, then try them on grass or a carpet. It is best not to do them on tiles or other hard surfaces as it is hard on the body and could result in injury. At least have a phone nearby in case you need to call someone in an emergency.

You can use something soft, like grass, carpet or an air mattress, to protect your body if you fall.

If you're not going completely backwards, try putting something small like a scrunchie or toilet paper roll under your chin. If it falls out, you know that you're not tucking in your chin.

If you are scared then build up your strength and skills to help you build up. Always have a spotter. Being scared is part of life, so get used to it.

Practice doing it against a wall or getting someone to hold your ankles. Make sure you have a strong core and arms to keep you balanced.

You can go to a gymnastics gym near you, or ask a friend of family member that has a trampoline if you can practice on theirs.

You should start by doing a handstand against the wall and then, try doing it out in the open. And if you can do that, then try walking. If you don't have mats then do it on the grass.

Work in time around your schedule and ask for days off. Or, consider a different form of exercise.

You can try your best to study on your own, but to progress to a level wherein you can compete, you will need training. If you can find a friend who is also interested in gymnastics, that will be helpful.

Make sure to stretch every day, and slowly push yourself down. The second you feel pain, move up a little, stay 5 more seconds and stop. Make sure you have a spotter.

Practice doing a handstand in front of a bed so that you'll fall backwards onto it instead of the floor. Continue practicing until you are ready to practice one with a wall behind you and a pillow under your head. Continue to practice until you're ready to do a handstand alone. Don't forget to stretch!

Give yourself little reminders of how hard you have worked and how good you are. You could repeat positive thoughts in your head, or even write them on notecards to keep in your gym bag for when you need a little boost. Also remember that even professional gymnasts get nervous sometimes. Channel that energy into doing your very best.

You could possibly buy some equipment off Ebay or Amazon so you can build a home gym. You could also coach yourself with tutorials online.

Find a soft object to do gymnastics on, like grass, and start with easier skills, such as a hand stand.

Try doing a back walkover first, then slowly start to try and bounce back on your hands.

If you're trying a new skill, get someone to help you. Only do skills that are solid and easy on your own.

Enlist a friend or a family member to spot you before you try any tumbling.

Try going up against a wall or a couch armrest, and do a side split in a handstand. Try to keep your legs straight while in that position.

Try to go down as low as you can. If you can only touch your knee, it is still stretching out the muscle the same way touching your toes would.

You can practice on the carpet or on another soft material, so that you do not hurt yourself when you are practicing.

if you want do to a front walkover, go into a handstand and slowly kick your legs over your head. If you want to do a back walkover, go into the backbend and kick your legs over your head. Be patient, it takes time.

You can still become a great gymnast. You might be a bit behind the pack for professional gymnastics, but you can still do it as a hobby or skill.

Do bodyweight exercises, like push ups, curl ups, planks and leg raises, and follow along to workout videos online.

Every master starts as an amateur. Try thinking, "How would I think about how I feel right now if I were a world class gymnast?"

If you have a trampoline, you can try bouncing over, and if not, try pushing your legs up a wall.

It's not safe to do it without training or attempting using a spotter who doesn't know how. Consider signing up for gymnastics, go to an open gym and get spotted, or ask around to see if there's someone who does know how to properly spot a back handspring.