To old to start!

[Charlotte's Mum]

Hello, my daughter charlotte is starting gymnastics in the fall.
This is just after her birthday she is going to be 13. Is this to
old for a person to start gymnastics?
she has always wanted to do them but we would not allow her to do it when she was 4 because of worrying about inguries!
She did competetive iceskating and does dancing on a regular basis but she is notas flexible as she used to be will this stop her being able to acheive as much as she wants to? Or will she be able to do
all the things but and become more flexible as the times goes
on or never become flexible enough?
She is verry excited and has bought matching leotards and
gym equipment, im also doing some basic streches with her,
but im worried she is going to be disapointed if she can never
acheive to do anything! P.s is there any stretches I can do with
her over the summer wich will her become more flexible?!

[Geoffrey Taucer]

You're never too old to start. Admittedly, if she starts at 13, it is unlikely she will reach the highest levels of the sport, but that shouldn't stop anybody from enjoying the sport.

[gracefulone]

First of all, you are never too old to start, unless you're expecting to go to the Olympics or something. On this board, there are some adults still competing. It sounds like your daughter has a great background for it. She will be able to do anything if she understands that she'll probably have to work a little harder at it. Flexibility is important, but it shouldn't stop her from doing well. There are girls on my level 7 team that still can't do very good splits. As for stretches, simple straddles and pikes are very good, and she can start practicing the splits. Best of luck!

[9bob8]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlotte's Mum Hello, my daughter charlotte is starting gymnastics in the fall. This is just after her birthday she is going to be 13. Is this to old for a person to start gymnastics? she has always wanted to do them but we would not allow her to do it when she was 4 because of worrying about inguries! She did competetive iceskating and does dancing on a regular basis but she is notas flexible as she used to be will this stop her being able to acheive as much as she wants to? Or will she be able to do all the things but and become more flexible as the times goes on or never become flexible enough? She is verry excited and has bought matching leotards and gym equipment, im also doing some basic streches with her, but im worried she is going to be disapointed if she can never acheive to do anything! P.s is there any stretches I can do with her over the summer wich will her become more flexible?!

i started at 13 so it sould be no problem