Gymnastics for Boys

[ckay87]

Do you know any boys who do gymnastics?

My 9 year old son is earning his black belt in Taekwondo and rather than commit to another 3 years of a very expensive program, we're encouraging him to try something new.

He's expressed a real interest in gymnastics, even though he wouldn't have a lot of skills going into it. I can totally see him loving this. He's not into the team sport thing, but has enjoyed the individual training and the real physical aspects of karate.

But he's 9 and I halfway wonder if he's too old Don't these kids start super-young?

And I'll bet he'd be real self-conscious if it was a program made mostly of girls. (while I know that in about 5 years that will become a real bonus ) I know that sounds crazy, but when you're a 9 year old guy with an older brother, it might be an issue.

There's a school not too far away that seems neat - with all the equipment and a team etc. We will be checking it out.

Maybe I'm just thinking aloud, but I'd welcome any thoughts from anybody who has experienced the world of gymnastics.

 

[palmtreegirl]

At my kids gymnastics the girls & boys are split into seperate groups at the age of 6, the place by you is probably the same way.

Forgot to add my DS(4 almost 5) takes gymnastics and loves it.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Do you know any boys who do gymnastics?

My 9 year old son is earning his black belt in Taekwondo and rather than commit to another 3 years of a very expensive program, we're encouraging him to try something new.

He's expressed a real interest in gymnastics, even though he wouldn't have a lot of skills going into it. I can totally see him loving this. He's not into the team sport thing, but has enjoyed the individual training and the real physical aspects of karate.

But he's 9 and I halfway wonder if he's too old Don't these kids start super-young?

And I'll bet he'd be real self-conscious if it was a program made mostly of girls. (while I know that in about 5 years that will become a real bonus ) I know that sounds crazy, but when you're a 9 year old guy with an older brother, it might be an issue.

There's a school not too far away that seems neat - with all the equipment and a team etc. We will be checking it out.

Maybe I'm just thinking aloud, but I'd welcome any thoughts from anybody who has experienced the world of gymnastics.

My son did gymnastics when he was 9-10 and absolutely loved it. He would've definitely gone on longer, but we just didn't have the money at the time.

His class was just of boys, though. Maybe your gymnastics facility would have a boys only, too.

 

[ahutton]

I believe most schools keep boys and girls in their own classes because the aparatus used is different, other than floor and vault. I think it is a great idea, the ability to tumble is handy and he has a good basis in strength training. He will probably have a great time. While many do start pretty young, boys can keep going long after girls can. Wasn't one of the recent Olympic competitors in his early 30s?

 

[ZachnElli]

My son did gymnastics from ages 7-9. He loved it. He was in the separate boys class and they had boys starting and stopping in the class all the time. It's not odd to start at an older age. The starting in any sport at a very young age is actually relatively new if you think about it.

 

[missypie]

Classes for boys and girls are separate. You may have to look for a gym with a boy's team. (Our gym discontinued the boys' team.) Boys start competing later than girls because there is so much strength required -so no, it's not too late. There are separate boys' meets and girls' meets.

If he gets serious at it and good at it, I think you'll be frustrated. Lots of high schools and many colleges have cut their mens' gymnastics programs. (Title 9 - they already spend so much $$ on mens' sports [football] that they have to even things up).

Over the weekend NBC broadcast 2 hours of coverage of the US National Gymnastics Championship...100% of the coverage was of the women/0% of the men. I don't know why that is...I find the men absolutely incredible!

With all that said, if your son wants to do it, I'd encourage him to.

 

[cats7494]

My dd11 has been doing gymnastics for a long time and at her gymnastics school - there are separate classes for boys and girls. (Also separated by ability and age) There are several boys though out the different levels of gymnastics.

I think it is a great sport for boys and girls and see no reason why he could not start at the age of 9. Earning a black belt by the age of 9 shows he has great coordination, determination, and is certainly able to learn new skills!
!
I say go for it! Good luck!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I work at a soccer camp and one of the boys today said he did gymnastics.

 

[CharlesTD]

My son is in gymnastics he enjoys it and that is what he does for the summer he will be on the ice this winter and the gymnastics actually helps with balance and agility for skating and hockey.

 

[padams]

As a former gymnast, I can tell you that gymnastics is a great sport for developing strength, coordination, balance and other skills that can be "transferred" to other sports. Boys tend to start the sport later than girls so 9 is not too old at all.

 

[SillyMe]

There are several boys in my dd's gymnastics class. Now, they're all around 6-8 years old, but there are older boys in the more advanced classes. They don't have enough boys to keep them separate from the girls, so they are combined. Some of the boys seem to pick it up so much easier than the girls.