kittycat01:

No lah - we are staying in a HDB flat. But she's already trying cartwheel now at home and has so far been quite successful except her legs are not straight when doing it. She also tried to do hand stand. I will advise her against trying anything further than this on her own. so far, she asked me to hold one leg up as she stands on both hands and place both legs up against the wall. That's the furthest she goes.

as for the 1 to 1 coaching, it's really expensive. sigh...will see how.

By the way, her RG coach asked them to stand on their toes rolled up, as in stand and walk on the knuckles of their toes. It seems quite scary as she said she could hear her bones crackling. I mean the whole weight of the body is on the knuckles of the toes - wont it break her bones over time?

Hi

This is the length sport or art can go to look aesthetically pleasing. Gymnastics as a sport has become so competitive that gymnast need to cross-train. Walking on knuckles of the toes to get that curve-in toes, you do that in ballet. It is not surprising female competitive gymnasts take ballet classes to complement their training. And it is the NORM now for all female competitive gymnasts to take dance classes.

Well, if you are concern about that now, you are 'not ready' to be a sportmens parents yet. Competitive training go to a very high level of intense training. Some training do shock you if you are not educated in the training of the sport.

Relax, ask your child to raise her pain/concern to the coach if she is uncomfortable/pain with the exercise. The last thing the coach want is to let your child have injury, which forbid her to train more skills.

IMHO :boogie:

kittycat01:

I asked my dd - she said she doesn't mind going for recreation or competition for fun (not winning). She wants to participate in performances too.

Only one problem - time is a factor. She is already having 3x a week RG plus outside jazz dance on saturdays. I told her I can't afford to squeeze anymore time for learning acrobatic moves, unless it's during the holidays. But as you mentioned, such skills can't be mastered in a short time during the hols. So I'm in a dilemma - I don't want stifle her love for gymnastics. yet I can't afford her to fulfill her dream at the expense of her studies.

She said she will try to practise at home, with the help of you tube? Is it dangerous to do without the presence of a professional? Are you an instructor at Gymkraft? Do you do 1 to 1 training?

Hi

Dangerous without presence of coach? DEFINITELY! How can it not be dangerous without the right hardware and software (refer to my previous post)? Firstly, your kid may be doing skills way beyond her limit without the previous progression. Secondly, space and height indoor is a big concern. Unless you live in a palace like the lead character in F4 in Meteor Garden.

Yes, I have coached gymnastics for many years, from kids right up to adults. 1 to 1 training will not be cheap, as not only will you be paying for the expertise of the coach, the venue rental as well. An academic tuition teacher cost around $50 now, going to your home. For yoga, dance etc. 1 to 1 training, most places charge $100+ per hour. Our 1 to 1 is at $150 an hour.

IMHO :boogie:

phtthp:

If a child in primary school had never learnt cartwheel roll or somersault before (ie. never attend artistic gym before), then come to sec 1 and start to learn how to turn somersault on those narrow beam balance -

Is it dangerous ?

I mean ... At sec 1, the bones are not so nimble & flexible, as compared to a k2 or p1 child learning somersault.

Hi

I have a 61 years old student doing cartwheel and dive roll in class, and he was never a gymnast. More of a bodybuilder. Dangerous? Definitely not under the right coaching (software) and mats environment (hardware).

Will there be injury? All sports carry some risk of injury. Even waking up and going to toilet has a certain amount of risk involved.

Not nimble and flexible? You do not need to be nimble and flexible to enjoy gymnastics. Just like you do not need to jump to enjoy basketball, or need to run to enjoy soccer.

IMHO :boogie:

kittycat01:

Thank u for sharing. Since AG is trained early is it still possible to pick it up when she's 12 or 13? I guess even if it's possible it's going to be tough especially she might not be able to find time to commit long term. But she's really keen.

I will try custom made mat at sun sport if price range isn't too high.

Hi

You can pick up gymnastics at any ages. My oldest student in my adult gymnastics class is at 61 years of age. There is no age limit in doing sports and keeping fit! Just like learning new things academically.

However, if you want to do the sport competitively, that will be a different story. As your competitors are all starting younger and younger. If you or your dd don't mind competing for fun and not winning, that will be SUPER COOL. Same goes for all other sports.

Keep your dd learning spirit going!

IMHO :boogie:

kittycat01:

my dd is in sec 1 this year and is in rhythmic gymnastics. She is keen to learn all the flips, cartwheel, ariel but her CCA this year only involves stretching, flexibility and some routines with equipment such as ropes and balls. Cartwheel will only be taught in sec 3 and she cannot wait that long. I'm trying to let her learn short term - maybe a month or so until she masters her cartwheels and flips. Is there such a course for beginners? Preferably during the holidays?


also, looking around for cheap tumbling mats but very hard to find in Singapore unless order through ebay. Anyone has second hand ones? Need something that does not slip or has friction/grip below the mat.

Hi

If your dd is in RG, cartwheel and flips are pretty advance move which will be taught only in the later part. Think of it as it is the Secondary level of the 10 years pri->sec academic curriculum.

If she is really into flips, she should be in AG. as it is taught early and is the fundamental of floor exercise.

The cartwheel/flips in RG and AG are also a bit different, as AG focus on power, movement and speed and RG focus on finesse control and short distance. This is to enable RG gymnast to be able to manipulate their hand held apparatus while executing their cartwheel/flips.

Learning flips requires long term commitment. It cannot be done in 1 month or so, and there is no way you will 'master' flip in short term. You can do the flips, but that does not means you master it (without point deduction in competition).

For tumbling mats, it can be customizes. And it depend on where you are using it. Size matters too if you are using it Indoor. You can try to reach Sun Sport at 9060 9981 and they can advise you better. I have personally purchase tumbling equipment from them, and they are made locally. (Support LOCAL! ) Say GymKraft recommend it. As usual, I am in no way affiliated to them.

IMHO :boogie:

phtthp:

Someone mentioned starting gym in 30s.


Body Can still turn somersault, can still do hand stand ... At age 30, with zero gym background ?

Hi

Yes. With zero gym background.
Of course, with a sporty background, you will generally learn a lot faster.

For Adult Gymnastics Class, the focus is learning Floor Exercise, (Handstand, cartwheel, rolls etc) over other apparatus.
This is because the learning curve is more gradual, more fun and variety as compared to the other apparatus.

I have personally taught a few ladies (and men) in their 30s, and my oldest student is at 62!

The 2 most common excuses adults gave themselves:
- I'm not flexible, cannot do gymnastics
- So old how to do, wait bone break.
is akin to saying (for basketball)
- I cannot slam dunk, cannot do basketball
- So old cannot run already, how to jump.

IMHO :boogie:

kittycat01:

thank you, sembgal...

not willing to appeal - that will be last resort as the school said appealing/changing CCA will affect CCA points. She said if she does not put a shortlisted CCA as first choice, it will jeopardise her getting a place there. Then if Chinese dance not successful, she'll end up in uniformed group which she doesn't want. That is her dilemma and she dared not risk it by putting Chinese dance first (though she really wished she could go in)

This is a good chance to talk to your child about life.
We cannot have everything we want in life.
But, we have to make do and give it our best, even though it is not our first choice.

It is never too old to try dance, gymnastics, sport etc.
I see a lot of passionate people starting gymnastics in their 30s.
Something which they always wanted to do, but could not in their teens.

IMHO :boogie:

sembgal:

Prime is more into AG. Customer service is good and have various classes for different age group. I went in to take a look once as I was curious what was going on inside PRIME.

For RG, need to look elsewhere that focus solely on RG only.

AG and RG are a world of difference.

If your child prefers ballet, RG could be a good complement. RG is mostly on the ground.

For AG, the child cannot be afraid of heights. Lots of balancing and bouncing and turning kind of activity. AG will move from ground into air and down on ground again.

Have to see the child's personality too before deciding AG or RG.

For example, Marymount Convent School do offer AG for (Pri 1) and RG for (Pri 2) to students during their Modular curriculum. Pupils get to choose to join CCA either for RG or AG if they show enthusiasm towards this sport.

Yes, Prime is focus on AG. They are easily the most competitive private club in Singapore.

AG is so different from RG that it like comparing Boxing to Wrestling, Basketball to Netball, Badminton to Tennis, Muay Thai to Judo... you get the picture.

To sum it up simply IMHO, AG focus on manipulating own body on apparatus, while RG focus on manipulating hand held apparatus.

Great info on Marymount Convent. I understand one of their HOD is actually a FIG judge for AG. Thus, the strong push in the sport.

Cheers :boogie:

Pure Purple:

May I ask if anyone has experience with primary or secondary school-based gymnastics? Whether it is wise to transfer to a school strong with Gymnastics CCA or whether it is alright for my girl to train with a club whilst attending a primary school without Gymnastics CCA? I'll really appreciate any sharing on views or experiences with School based gymnastics, especially for serious or competitive gymnasts.

School base gymnastics (CCA):
Pro: - Cheap per hour rate (or even free), represent school
Con: - Only a few top schools have it, may not be able to get into the CCA, school (and the gym service provider) are competition driven, which may not give your child a positive, holistic gymnastics experience, dont like the program must transfer to another school?...

Private Club base gymnastics:
Pro: - Can choose and switch clubs, more into well-being of gymnast (if your gymnast is injured, not joining = no fee), more fun
Con: - Dont get to represent school (means no CCA points), more expensive

The trend is for parents in School gymnastics to supplement their training with private clubs. And more than 90% of the gymnasts will tell you they prefer to train in the clubs as it is more fun compared to school.

IMHO :boogie:

GreenBird:

Not all primary schools have artistic gym.

Where can a lower primary student learn ag ?

There are many privates clubs in Singapore offering AG.
You can check Singapore Gymnastics website:
http://www.singaporegymnastics.org.sg/sg/about-2/member-directory/

Note that not all the members have clubs/gym of their own.
Most of them operates in schools, which is not open to public.
You may want to check out GymKraft! :evil:

Cheers!