Hours in the gym-Level 5's

[Imat3]

I am wondering what is the average hours level 5's should workout. Our level 5's workout 14 hours during the season and 20 during the summer. Just trying to get a feel for what is normal. Our level 4's now workout 9, so it is a big just for our new 5's.

Thanks,
Imat3

[Ingymmom]

uh oh not the hours issue - very touch subject LOL....

no seriouly it varies from gym to gym.... I know many gyms that train their L5's 9 hours and are highly successful at L5 and I also know gyms that train all the way up to 27 hours & are also very successful.

here is a previous thread that may help answer your question...

Hours in the gym?

[Imat3]

Thanks for the link.
I had no idea there was so much debate about this. Now I know...
Thanks again,
Imat3

[mariposamama]

our level 5s are at the gym about 15 hours a week. spread out over 4 days.

[Aussie_coach]

We have the level 3's at 9 hours a week, level 4's are at 14 hours a week and level 5's work 16 hours a week.

[Livinatthegym]

Level 5s at our gym work out 9 hours/wk. 4s work out 6. 6s work out 10. Optionals work out 16.

Here's just some random stuff I've observed with regard to hours of practice:

One of our team girls moved because her family wanted her to become an elite. She now trains at GAGE (The Dragons). She's been on a modified school day since some time during optionals so she'd have more time to train. She does quite well (as I'm sure all GAGE's upper level gymnasts do).

Was chatting with a WOGA mom during a level 7 session this year (ironically at the Dragon Invite). She told me WOGA's level 7s train 18 hours a week. These girls were scoring 9.7s on bars and had 38+ in AA.

Our gym's optionals train 16 hours a week. Three team girls competed regionals last year (2 8s and a 9). Two came home with 1st place AA. Obviously, we hold our own.

Even 16 hours a week is hard on a growing body. My oldest dd will tell me when there's a big change in the weather coming because her knees "kill." Great. I've got a 14 yo who can hold her own with the old folks predicting the weather changes by their aches and pains.

But maybe not. My little dd, also an optional at 16 hours a week, has never been injured or suffered any aches or pains.

How much should a level 5 work out? How much are you comfortable with? That's the only right answer.

[MyGymStar]

My DD goes Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Friday & Saturday, for four hours each practice. That is the level 5 schedule. She is now training level 6, but the hours change after school is out. We are still not sure what they will be yet.

[ZJsMom]

IMHO, quantity does not necessarily equal quality. Dd's level 5 team only does 9.75 hours a week and won states. They regularly beat teams that practice significantly greater hours.

[Imat3]

I agree that the quality of the time in the gym is more important than the hours. There seems to be a really wide range. It is interesting to see what everyone thinks.
Thanks,
Imat 3

[Megley]

Our Level 5s train 16 hours per week with the option of an additional hour of strength training if they want.

Meg