WAG What are the qualities that make a great gymnast?

[Livelovegymnastics]

In your experience, what qualities did your best gymnast have? For example, they do extra conditioning/stretching or they are extremely focused.

 

[CoachPow]

Tenacity and incredible work ethic. We've had a few get by on pure talent, but our best have been the workers with huge goals. Flexibility and extra conditioning are cool and all, but nobody will beat that kid that wasn't happy with her own bar rotation and grips back up at the end of practice...

 

[LucyRobinson]

Attributes like strength/flexibility/power/grace/agility/confidence/courage/etc. are important, and the more of them you can get the better.

Size and body type is becoming less and less of a factor, too. Gymnasts must be incredibly fit and strong people, and there is definitely the dominant body type of short and muscular, but it isn't a limit.

At the end of the day your work ethic and desire to improve is really what matters. You can become stronger and fitter, work on your confidence or power or flexibility. Sure, some people have a natural edge. I suppose that talent plus the work ethic is what really makes an awesome gymnast.

 

[JBS]

what qualities did your best gymnast have?

The ability to make corrections extremely quickly... like one turn.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Speed, fast muscle twitch.

The hard working gymnasts are amazing but I find the ones that go the furthest are often the ones who are NOT the best behaved. The ones who are a bit defiant, a bit cheeky, energetic, hate standing still etc.

The ones who won’t always follow the rules. They often have a drive in them that makes them competitive and driven. They don’t accept that they can’t do something and don’t feel like they have to follow the laws of gravity.

 

[JBS]

Speed, fast muscle twitch.

Yep!

 

[ProudGymnast]

Passionate. Resilient. Hardworking. Persistent.

There's your champion right there.

 

[gym_dad32608]

Rich parents? Just kidding, kinda. But really is there a correct answer? Everyone is unique. Just the ability to maximize individual strengths.

 

[JBS]

But really is there a correct answer? Everyone is unique. Just the ability to maximize individual strengths.

Exactly... I've worked with many great gymnasts... they are all different.

 

[JPC13]

An incredibly under appreciated quality in all sports is durability. Some people are just built tougher and it matters when you start talking about doing hard training for 20+ hours a week for years straight. If your body starts to fail you, no amount of work ethic can overcome it (if it does, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of ailments).