Skills an Adult Gymnast Can Learn - Even if You're a Beginner

don't let kids have all the fun!

Ever wonder about which skills an adult gymnast can learn more easily? While I firmly believe that there are no limits on what an adult gymnast can learn, the fact of the matter is that there ARE differences in a chilld gymnast learning (especially with beginner gymnastics skills), compared to an adult gymnast who's never done the sport before, or has not done it for a long time.

While it's pretty straightforward to learn skills in a certain order as a child, due to flexibility and strength norms in adult bodies the first skills it makes sense to learn as an adult quite often are not the same. For instance, many adults find back tucks easier than back handsprings or back walkovers because there is less flexibility and less arm strength involved. Depending on the person, many adult gymnasts also find back tucks less scary.

So let's dive in and take a look! Please be aware that this type of thing can be VERY individual. Please use this list as ideas, but not as an absolute.

check out these skills that an adult gymnast can learn more easily

skills on vault

What's Hard:

Anything where you have to get upside down, like a handstand flat back

Instead, Try:

Just bouncing onto the board, or hitting the board and jumping up onto a block to get used to the way the board works. Get that down before attempting to go upside down!

What's Hard:

Front Handspring (it's mad scary)

Instead, Try:

Handstand Flat Back

Front tucks from a board to work on punching

Front Handspring "Vault" Across a Whale Mat on it's side

What's Hard:

Yurchenko entries (even more mad scary). Requires a ton of back and wrist flexibility.

Instead Try:

See how you do with Tsuk entries (quarter turn onto the vault, flip off)

Have you seen our Adult Gymnastics Camp page?

skills on bars

What's Hard:

Low Bar Kip (huge strength and flexibility requirement)

Instead, Try:

Glide swings in a row

High Bar Kip

What's Hard:

Flyaway (fear factor, plus you need to be able to swing a decent sized tap swing first)

Instead, Try:

Swing Half Turn Dismount

BEAM

What's Hard:

Cross Handstand (a ton of flexibility needed)

Instead, Try:

Side Handstand

What's Hard:

Full turn

Instead, Try:

Half Turn

What's Hard:

Forward Roll (this is obvious when you try it. That beam is TINY)

Instead, Try:

Cartwheel

What's Hard:

Split Leap (it's awkward for most)

Instead, Try:

Split Jump

What's Hard:

Back Walkover or Back Handspring (more flexibility issues)

Instead, Try:

Roundoff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1OoqEAb4OY

floor

What's Hard:

Front Handspring (lots of flexibility and arm strength needed)

Instead, Try:

Front Tuck

What's Hard:

Back handspring (mostly it's scary, but also shoulder flexibility and strength)

Instead, Try:

Back Tuck

What's Hard:

Split Leap (it's really hard to get those legs up while jumping off one leg without much momentuum)

Instead, Try:

Switch Leap (much easier to generate the speed to achieve the leap for most adult gymnasts!)

Best of luck with your training!

If you have input on what other skills I might add to this article that are easier to learn as an adult gymnast, please contact me. I hope these ideas help you with training ideas on what you might want to learn next! Happy flipping.

Is there a certain skill you'd love help with learning?

Ask us below and we will see if we can find some tips or a video of drills and techniques for you to help!

Disclaimer: Adult gymnasts and coaches give advice and suggestions on this page. By reading and implementing the information, you assume all liability for injury. The advice given is for educational purposes only. Please check with your in-person coach and ensure that you have the proper pit, mats and/or spot available before trying any suggestions. If you don't agree to these terms, do not attempt anything that you see on this page.