Safe Gymnastics for Everyone
Although it is a sport that celebrates strength, grace, and flexibility among all others, gymnastics can also cause harm and injury to its practitioners if athletes are not fully trained and prepared in its execution. If you are an avid gymnast or just starting to learn about the sport, here are some valuable tips you could follow to keep yourself and others safe and injury-free. First of all, make sure that you are strong enough to handle the moves that you are practicing. Yes, gymnasts look graceful and are light on their feet, but underneath their muscles are toughened and hardened like steel cords. If you are not strong enough, you won't be able to do many gymnastics skills no matter how hard or how many times you try. As a matter of fact, building strength also makes you safer in potentially dangerous fall situations. Next, pay attention to what is going on in the gym if there are other gymnasts around. If there are other gymnasts practicing, being aware and paying attention to everyone and everything is a requisite, otherwise you and everybody else will start bumping, crashing, and landing onto each other. You also need to listen carefully to your coach so you understand exactly what they expect of you to learn efficiently and keep yourself safe.
With that said, make sure you also know where the potential fall zones are, and avoid sitting or standing near them at all costs. There is still many a gymnast who, while waiting for their turn, doesn't stay well enough out of the way of other gymnasts who need adequate space for dismounting or a place to land. As a result, both athletes get injured. Also watch where you are walking. Gymnastic mats, cables, pits; these and other obstacles are always in your way and can be found all over the place, so you need to watch your steps always.
Ask for a spot if you are doing tricks if you need or want it. You are the one most likely to know and remember if you need a spot or not and it will be too late if you attempt a skill you are not sure of and fall. In the same breath, when you're the one approaching an area, make sure you stop and look both ways first before you cross or enter. You'll never know if a gymnast is headed your way if you don't watch out. Check all your equipment to make sure that everything is set, sturdy, and stable. Handles and cables need to be tight enough so the equipment is safe for you to be on. Don't assume the equipment is correctly set and tight. Check it and make sure firstNever assume that the equipment has been already checked; you must check it yourself and make sure. Never do gymnastics when you're the only person around. Gymnastics has its fair share of injury-prone moments; don't become a statistic yourself. By the same token, you should only let qualified gymnastics professionals spot you on skills you cannot do and need help with. Spotting is an art and requires the knowledge, strength and experience of a gymnastics professional. Asking other gymnasts to spot you could lead to errors in judgment that could result in serious injuries.
Azlan Irda is the co-founder of http://www.aboutballet.com, where you can get high-quality gymnastic mats and other gym equipment. Visit us for all your gymnastic equipment needs.
Published April 2nd, 2007
Filed in Health