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How to do a Press Handstand
A press handstand is a handstand that can be performed from either a standing or sitting position, and essentially is the gymnast pulling themselves up from the ground with a ‘pressing’ motion in order to form a handstand. This skill is quite complex as it takes a lot of strength in the upper body…
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How to Choose the Perfect Gymnastics Mat
Protective matting is an essential part of gymnastics, cheerleading, acrobatics or any high impact sport. It allows for safer landings and helps build athletes’ confidence, especially when the individual is exposed to danger because of the potential fall height involved. Safety and function are crucial, and the question that arises most is, “What matting…
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Positive Affirmations for Gymnasts
For the last year or so, Australia has been in and out of lockdowns which have had a significant impact on young gymnast’s training regime and mental health. The Gym Spot takes a look at positive affirmations that can help gymnasts maintain a positive mindset especially amidst the conditions across the country where most…
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How to Use Yoga Blocks for Beginners
Yoga Blocks are utilised within the practice of yoga for those who are struggling with their flexibility or for those who have just started practicing yoga. Yoga blocks are useful for building upper body strength, practising alignment, protecting and building strength in weak wrists and gaining more depth into particular yoga poses. While blocks…
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5 Flexibility Trainer Strap Exercises
Gymnastics Direct’s Flexibility Trainer Strap is the perfect training aid for at home. It allows gymnasts, dancers, or cheerleaders to condition, maintain strength and improve their flexibility, balance and control! Take your training to the next level and improve your strength and flexibility with these 5 easy exercises. 1. Backbend After installing the trainer strap (find…
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Club Focus: Roleystone Gymnastics Club
Introducing our latest club to sit in the hot seat for club focus, Roleystone Gymnastics Club! How did your club start? RGC, have been operating for over 35 years. We started as a small club in our local Roleystone Hall packing away all the equipment every day and setting up again the next day.…
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Cheer Conditioning at Home
To help maintain strength and flexibility, it’s important for young cheerleaders to condition at home. The Gym Spot has put together some drills that will help with their conditioning training whilst the lockdown is in full effect, using minimal to no equipment. Warm Ups Naturally, before you participate in any type of physical activity, it…
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Kip Variations
A kip is a technique usually performed on the women’s uneven bars and is an integral part of gymnastics. Gymnasts usually employ a kip to mount the bars smoothly and a connecting element in bar routines. It allows the gymnast to swing below the bar to arrive in a front support on the bar,…
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The Benefits of Yoga with Emma Chapman
This week, we introduce Emma Chapman, yoga teacher at Fitness Playground in Marrickville. Emma has been teaching and practising yoga for the last 14 years, specialising in Iyengar yoga and Hatha yoga and she says it’s important to always branch out and never stick to one particular style when doing any movement in life.…
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Flow in Sport with Dr Sue Jackson
Flow is a state of total focus on the task at hand. When we are in flow, we usually perform at our best because we are concentrating only on our performance. Flow occurs when we are in a situation of high challenge, and in a situation where our skills match the challenge. Sport Psychologist Dr…