Category: product endorsements

Changing Gymnastics Culture – a review

Dave Tilley’s excellent book, more than 450 pages.

Something for every coach: sports medicine, injury prevention, conditioning, ethics, …

Dave was partly inspired to put his ideas together by the Nassar crimes. He sensed “outdated training methods and a toxic culture can foster abusive practices” in Gym … making it possible for a pedophile to go undetected for decades.

Coaches spent inordinate amounts of time with young children and parents place complete trust in them. Young athletes are taught that their dreams may depend on the approval of a famous trainer or coach. They are also programmed to believe that obeying orders given, without question, is the only path to achieve their dreams.

Together, these truths about certain areas of our sport, while not necessarily inherently malicious in nature, certainly open to the door to abuse and mistreatment of young athletes. …

I certainly recommend you download and check it out for yourself.

Dave’s made his book free. Click through to download.

The book is 3 PDFs.

In addition are two resources: Myofascial Release Checklist and a Splits Complex.

Gymnastics Booster Block PRO

Every coach loves “blocks” in the Gym. We use them non-stop.

But it doesn’t take long before they get too soft for many purposes.

I’d definitely pay the extra for the Tumbl Trak Booster Block PRO as the useful lifetime for my purposes would be increased.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Tumbl Trak T-Trainer in action

This looks like a drone shot.

Details on this excellent mini-tramp that can be used for many purposes, including Vault.

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram.

Air Barrel or Octagon?

I’d use BOTH. 😀

For me the Octagon is a bit safer, therefore better for Recreation classes.

I’d not normally use either for teaching Backward Handspring. BUT both are useful for Walkovers and Forward Handsprings.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Sticking the Parenting Landing: A Handbook for Parents of Gymnasts

by Betty Okino Benson (Author), Jacob Okino Benson (Editor), Valorie Kondos Field (Foreword)

I’ve not yet read the NEW book — but I’m certain it’s terrific.

  1. The Emotional Rollercoaster – The emotional highs and lows of gymnastics can be tough on both you and your child. One day they’re flying high, the next they’re down in the dumps. It’s a wild ride…that can be fun!
  2. The Time Commitment – Juggling gymnastics with school, other activities, and family time can be done but it takes a conscious effort so that hours in the gym don’t put a strain on family life.
  3. Safety Concerns & Injuries – Watching your child perform high-risk skills can be nerve-wracking. Ensuring they’re safe while encouraging their passion is a balancing act we can all perform.
  4. Communication with Coaches – Building a good relationship with coaches is crucial so that we can avoid as much misunderstanding as possible while working together as a team toward a common goal.
  5. Artistry and Performance – Helping your child shine artistically while meeting technical requirements is key. It’s all about finding that balance and there are ways to do it.
  6. Progressing Through Levels – Understanding the competitive gymnastics landscape, from scoring to expectations so that we can keep our child motivated and happy.
  7. Mental Health Considerations – The pressures of gymnastics, like anything else, can affect our child’s mental health. Proactively recognizing signs of burnout and stress is important for their well-being.

Amazon

NEW T-Trainer Cover PRO

I’ve long been a fan of Tumbl Trek’s trampoline Vault trainer.

Here’s an improvement to the already excellent current model.

(Did you know James Parent recently got married? Yes — to a coach.)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Calgary Gymnastics Centre walkthrough

CGC is a great facility in Calgary, Canada.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

VIDEO – Great West Gym Fest 2024

I’ve volunteered many times at the Great West Gym Fest in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — close to Spokane.

It’s easily the best Invitational I’ve ever attended.

For hosts Dave & Lisa Adlard, I put together a highlights VIDEO trying to show just how FUN this competition is for the kids. Every aspect of the meet is FUN.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Transforming the luxurious Coeur d’Alene Resort into a Gym is no small feat.

Click PLAY or watch a timelapse on YouTube. Donny Gardiner had a little help this year. 😀

FB-Curves 3D GYM apps for coaches

By site editor Rick McCharles.

For the first time I have the full paid version of the FB-Curves 3D GYM apps.

Fantastic.

There’s nothing else out there even close to what this software offers.

I lot in via the webpage, rather than the app. This way I have a bigger image on my display.

Best use for me is showing gymnasts a skill from multiple angles.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.