Category: physical preparation

UFC fighter Kevin Lee tries Gymnastics

I expect competitive female gymnasts to be better at every test of physical and motor fitness than any other female athlete their age. In any sport.

NEXT. They challenge all other male athletes their age. And best them at pretty much every challenge.

How about a professional male adult?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

introducing Press to Handstand

Beginners often train years before making their first straight arm Press to Handstand.

It’s essential they feel SAFE when leaning too far.

Challenge gymnasts to get their hips (Centre of Mass) over the hands before lifting toes off the floor.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Thanks Bermuda Gymnastics Association.

ankle flexibility and landing

Dave Stewart (Power Tumbler) had most flexible ankles I ever saw. He virtually never experienced any pain no matter how short rotation he landed.

Here’s a quick and easy test.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

If your gymnast is less flexible it’s even more important they not under-rotate backwards salto landings. Experiment, too, landing more toed-out to reduce the risk of landing injury.

strength coach Daniel Lonsdale

Nick talks to his friend and collaborator Daniel Lonsdale on how best to integrate outside specialists into the coaching team. For example: nutrition, psychology of winning, medical, etc.

Daniel is a multi-sport Strength and Conditioning specialist.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

leg strength & power training

Dr. Dave Tilley:

I typically keep the repetitions on the lower end for the more intense/explosive4 drills, say 3-6 repetitions, to help encourage maximal effort and high quality on each set. …

Click PLAY or watch one on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch one on YouTube.

Click through to see more …

Shift Movement Science

improving active hip extension flexibility

Over the coming weeks I’ll be posting a number of important progressions for beginners videotaped at Bermuda Gymnastics Association.

Thanks Kim McHardy and Head Coach Adriana Forde.

As always, evaluate the exercise, not the kids demonstrating.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Beginners are often better at passive flexibility (e.g. splits) than active flexibility which is needed for skills.

Our conditioning program should include active flexibility training exercises like this one.