Category: physical preparation

gymnasts on debilitating periods

Aly Raisman wrote about it.

Coach Veronique Sprenger has spent a lot of time in Africa. You might recall her study of acrobats in Kenya.

In a new post she talks about the challenges faced by girls and women in Ethiopia.

In the year that I have lived in Addis Ababa, I have never seen a tampon in a store.

I have talked to many women and most of them have told me that they always and only use pads and that they are scared of using internal products. That is okay, they do not have to use internal products if they don’t want to. But they should be well-informed about them and they should be available.

Moreover, if pads are not comfortable enough to do sports in, they must be offered an alternative that suits the context, such as period panties. …

Twisting Thoughts – Period

straight body cast hand drill

“Hollowback press” drills are standard Men’s conditioning. But NOT a staple of women’s artistic strength programs.

Variations of this — usually off a low height — are some of my favourite conditioning drills for straight body cast handstand on Bars.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

MUCH faster and easier than spotting kids with the faint hope that you’ll be able to withdraw the spot over time.

That’s from Chris Sommer on Gymnastic Bodies.

His strength training manual is now available as a digital edition.

#GymnastsatHome challenge

Dish to arch rolls.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

The “Perfect” Gymnast Body – A Toxic Illusion

Another excellent and important video from SHIFT Media Intern, Sarah Thirkell.

The unrealistic and often dangerous cultural undertones in gymnastics surrounding this idea of getting the ‘perfect’ gymnast body need to go. It is a toxic illusion, and puts young girls and boys on a treadmill of not ever feeling good enough that may lead to a dark spiral of mental, emotional, and physical health. …

The problems range from nutritional information that is not backed by the latest peer reviewed scientific research being given by coaches/parents instead of licensed Registered Dietician Nutritionists all the way to well intentioned coaches who may just make off handed comments or what they perceive as jokes to gymnasts about weight body image, and performance.

Speakers featured:

McKayla Maroney, Former Elite Gymnast via the GymCastic Podcast
Tasia Percevecz, Former NCAA Gymnasts and CrossFit Games Champion
Colin Van Wicklen, Elite Gymnast
Christina Anderson RDN
Jason Machowsky RDN
Ellen Casey MD
Jaime Schehr RDN
Kerry Bair RDN- via Nick Ruddock Gymnastics Growth Show
Joshua Eldridge DC
Courtney McGregor, Former Elite and NCAA Gymnast
Claire Heafford, Co-Founder of Gymnasts For Change

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Eating disorders in Climbing

Climbing is now an Olympic sport.

LIGHT – the documentary film just released.

Directed, written, edited and produced by women.

We hope it will spark fresh dialogue, remove some stigma and offer solace to those who need it.

Male climbers suffer, as well. But are less willing to talk about it.

… reveals the hidden world of eating disorders in professional rock climbing as the filmmaker follows two best friends on their harrowing journey in a courageous narrative that breaks the silence about the sport’s darkest secret. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (46min)

Thanks Jeff.