3 Ways Gymnastics Makes Athletes Better at Other Sports
How athletes train during the offseason can affect their performance on the field or court come game time. That’s why many athletes incorporate gymnastics into their regular workout regimen. Even if you don’t have your heart set on a competitive gymnastics career, below are ways this training will improve your performance in other sports.
3 Reasons All Athletes Should Take Gymnastics
1. Improve Agility
Athletes become more agile when they take gymnastics classes. While doing somersaults, backflips, and other floor routines in tumbling classes, gymnasts must change direction quickly while maintaining balance, coordination, and momentum.
The same is true when doing work on balance beams. The boost in agility helps basketball and soccer players maintain control of the ball while maneuvering around opponents.
2. Strengthen Muscular Endurance
In addition to making quick movements, gymnasts must hold positions on rings, horizontal bars, and additional equipment. Executing these moves strengthens athletes’ muscular endurance. This refers to a muscle group being able to continue a movement for extended periods. This also comes in handy when skiing, wrestling, and swimming.
3. Improve Mechanics
Taking gymnastics will also make you better at the specific mechanics of your sport. Using hands and wrists to launch off for flips and hold moves on the bars, for example, can improve wrist function when throwing a baseball and using a bat. Improving ankle movement while jumping and performing floor routines can improve the ability to spike in volleyball.
To take advantage of the benefits gymnastics provides athletes in other sports, enroll in a class at Top Flight Gymnastics in Columbia, MD. Since 1990, this state-of-the-art gym has provided instruction in a beautiful 20,000-square-foot facility. Learn from experienced trainers who are safety-certified by the USAG. Discover more about their classes, including training for parents and kids, online and call (410) 992-1600 to register.