Gymnastics for boys (apparatus not tumbling)

[WhatapityWapiti]

Wasn’t sure if there was a kid activities section to put this into.

DS is almost 8 and obsessed by gymnastics rings. We have a set in the garden (proper adult ones) but I was wondering if he could go to some sort of class to start learning the proper moves. He’s done summer gymnastics camp before but it’s female-dominated and mostly tumbling on an air track or beam, with little bit of basic vault. He climbs and has really good upper body strength for his age, wants to learn pommel horse and parallel bars as well as rings. Tumbling is not his thing at all.

Are there classes for young boys that concentrate on the apparatus? (To be clear, I don’t mean in terms of availability in my local area, I’m wondering how clubs tend to run things for boys at this age generally, as the websites don’t really say and I would like a bit of background info before I start phoning round). Can anyone tell me how a class would go about training a child my son’s age with no formal experience?

Thanks!

What amazing photos to have!

Just make sure he is properly & throughly warming up & only doing basic moves & is being properly supervised. Has fil been teaching him basic stretches etc to use?

I would look for a club that has a mens artistic section as part of it. Some clubs offer trials before they start so that they can advise on the appropriate class to start off in, others start all of in beginners recreational and then move if they see potential. Some clubs also have specific recreational classes just for boys. My 5 year old started in the pre school classes at our local club when he was 2 and was selected for the development squad at 4 and a half. He now trains 3x a week. It's a big commitment but its something my son is passionate about at the moment so we will continue to support until such a time that he tells us otherwise.

Shoulders are a ball and socket joint, therefore very easy to dislocate, especially when the muscles supporting the joint are not developed / strong enough. The wrists are also prone to being damaged due to prolonged / intense / incorrect use. The risk of falls and therefore injury is also high. The difference between yours and ones in soft play etc is that they may dangle from the soft play ones briefly, but your ds will have increased time to 'play' on his garden one, hence increasing the risk of injury. Try and view them as a piece of gym equipment rather than a toy / play thing. If he does take up gymnastics he is likely to develop 'bad' habits by using such equipment without his coach.

@DrWu has given you a good summary.

@WhatapityWapiti A good British Gymnastics Association accredited gym should have a boys/men’s artistic development programme / starting with boys only so-called recreational. In my experience, boys often progress very quickly as there are fewer in the sport so it’s easier to be talent spotted. Be aware that discipline (listening to and following instructions) and mastering of basics is a big deal as it’s an inherently risky sport. In terms of his playing on gymnastics rings, there is a risk he will develop poor form which will restrict his skill development in the future.

It’s a brilliant sport to be involved in. 😀

Here are some more. What is not immediately obvious from the picture is that the handstand on parallel bars is actually being demonstrated on the back of a flat bed truck that is driving slowly through the small Norwegian town.

(DS v keen to emulate so have have rigged up some scaffolding poles on top of my Toyota to give this a go.. 😉)

Thanks @Hairyfairy01 .

Do you not have something smaller & closer to the ground? Perhaps a Nissan micra or a mini? 🤣🤭

I hope you find him a club soon! Having two nieces who are both squad gymnasts, I'd prepare him for the fact that it isn't all fun unfortunately. There definitely are fun times, but it's a lot of conditioning and a lot of practice. He won't automatically be doing what he enjoys every session, even rec level. 8 year old niece is training long hours per week at the gym, so it's a commitment for you as well as him. The travel for competitions can be hours as well (also overnights) if you get to squad. I absolutely love the photos and that your DS wants to follow in his footsteps! Does he watch Nile Wilson and Ash Watson on YouTube? Both nieces absolutely love watching them...might be fun for him to see some men's gymnastics videos.

That’s funny you should mention Nile Wilson as I have just discovered that our local club was acquired in April by Nile Wilson Gymnastics Academy. Interestingly none of their listings state boys only and the class description is “beam, floor, air track and vault…ultimately leading to leaps, flips and somersaults”. I’ll contact them to find out more.

Good point about the patience required to progress properly, we had a bit of a blip with climbing when he was complaining about not getting to climb on the walls that he wanted and declaring it all “boring” but he’s getting older and we do watch a lot of YouTubers (Ninja Kids type stuff) who talk about the importance of training discipline, plus Grandpa doesn’t sugar-coat it (Grandpa did run away to sea at 16 though, rather than becoming an international competitive gymnast!)

It will take over your life ( mum to 2 artistic girls)

8 is generally a bit late for girls to join and then become squad, ive seen it happen so dont come for me but generally they like them starting younger.

Skills take time, alot of training and conditioning basics/preps are required before skills are attempted.

100% get him into a gymnastics club that has a boys section, rec class is a great start and they will be continually assessing for squad.

@WhatapityWapiti can I just ask what age you started him on the circus skills class? My DS is (nearly) 4 and loves gymnastics currently

That will because NWA are more focusssed on fun and Rec. if they don’t do men’s artistic boys will be limited to floor and vault, no rings or bars.

you need to find a gym specifically that does men’s artistic if he wants to learn all 6 pieces.

We have a circus skills holiday camp near us, he was in Year 1 when he first went. They start at Reception.

Thanks, this was exactly the impression I was getting from my initial browsing, and what prompted me to ask the question on here.

Though the predecessor club (acquired by the Nile W brand) does come up on the British Gymnastics website as offering Men’s Artistic, I wonder if this marks a change in direction? Would be odd given NW own involvement but I guess more money in girls’ recreational.