When you sign your child up to be a gymnast at The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester, they will become part of an age-old legacy in Penfield, NY. To get you excited about gymnastics and tumbling, the center’s enthusiastic staff share the following fun facts about gymnasts. They may just inspire you to join this proud and fulfilling practice!

Gymnast Fun Facts

1. Strong Bones

It’s no secret that gymnasts enjoy stronger muscles due to their training, but the sport can boost bone health as well. The younger a child starts training, the better bone health they will see. This will prevent broken bones as they play and grow, and reduce the chances of osteoporosis later on in life.

2. The Greeks

Gymnastics evolved from sports practiced by the proud athletes in ancient Greece. Some of their competitive sports required great skill, flexibility, and strength—including dismounting and mounting a horse. The word “gymnastics” itself is derived from the Greek word “gymnos” which roughly translates as “to train.” In fact, Spartans used gymnastics to train their citizens for war.

3. Mary Lou Retton

Mary Lou Retton was the first female gymnast to win the individual all-around gold medal in the Olympics. She only competed in the games once in 1984. However, that year, she won five total medals. The others were two silver and two bronze medals.

4. Simone Biles

Simone Biles is currently one of the most well-known gymnasts in America. Born in 1997, she was part of the “Final Five” team that won gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She is the most decorated American gymnast with a total of 19 medals from the Olympics and world championships as of 2017.

If you’d like your child to join the legacy of famous gymnasts and ancient athletes, sign them up for classes at The Gymnastics Training Center of Rochester. Their instructors put safety first, so you can rest assured your child is in good hands. Call (585) 388-8686 to talk with a professional about which program is best for your little gymnast, or learn more online.