Many athletes dream about qualifying for the Olympics one day. If your child is passionate about gymnastics, you may be wondering how to help them achieve this goal. While becoming an Olympic athlete is achievable, it requires hard work, dedication, and many variables working together to make it a reality. This guide shares what your child can do to succeed, working toward the path to an Olympic podium. 

Tips for Becoming an Olympic Gymnast

1. Start Early

Female Olympic gymnasts are often in their late teens or early twenties when they compete. Men average slightly older. This means that someone hoping to compete in gymnastics has a relatively short period to become Olympic-worthy. Many gymnasts start training as early as possible. This can be as young as two years old to begin developing body awareness and a love for the sport. Children will not typically start actual training until they are 5 or 6 years old. While it is not necessary to start at a specific age, the sooner your child is enrolled in classes, the more time they have to develop their skills. 

2. Practice Often & Diligently

The more your child participates in a sport, the more tactics and skills they will learn. It is common for Olympic gymnasts to treat the sport as their career and train around 40 hours per week. Some parents choose to enroll their children in a homeschooling program to give them more time to train. With a rigorous practice schedule at a facility designed to train competitive athletes, your child can work their way through the Olympic qualification ranks. This includes competing at a Junior Olympic training program and qualifying as an elite athlete. 

3. Set & Keep Goals

If your child wants to compete in gymnastics at an elite level, they must be dedicated to their goals. They can’t hope to qualify for the Olympics without a strategic plan. Set short-term and long-term goals that have actionable points to follow. Long-term goals may include placing at a Junior Olympic event and eventually qualifying for the Olympic team. Short-term goals might be to practice a certain number of hours each day and master a skill by a specific date. It requires both physical and mental toughness to set and keep these goals.

If your child wants to become a gymnast, enroll them in Legacy Gymnastics in Eden Prairie, MN. The gymnastics classes at this state-of-the-art facility provide students with the resources they need to work their way to the top. All instructors are USAG certified and work with children as young as preschool age. Visit their website to see their programs, or call (952) 746-8183 to schedule a tour.