The Ultimate Guide to Xcel Gymnastics (Bronze to Sapphire)
Xcel is a competitive women’s artistic gymnastics program operated by USA Gymnastics. It was created as an alternative to the traditional Women’s Development Program, commonly called DP. Xcel offers more…
What Is The Dead Loop In Gymnastics And Why Is It Banned?
Gymnastics has always rewarded athletes who push the limits of strength, flexibility, timing, and creativity. Some skills become permanent parts of the sport. Others disappear because equipment changes, judging rules…
How Gymnasts Build Strong, Pain-Free Wrists (And How You Can Too)
The wrist is a highly mobile joint with a delicate balance of strength and flexibility. Unlike the shoulder or hip, it isn’t naturally designed to bear bodyweight. Yet in gymnastics,…
Gymnasts Wardrobe Malfunction: Accidental Or Inevitable?
Gymnastics is one of the most demanding sports in the world. Athletes flip, twist, leap, split, swing, and land under bright lights, in front of judges, cameras, crowds, and millions…
How Artistic Gymnastics Is Scored at the Olympic Games
Since the 2004 Athens Olympics, artistic gymnastics has moved beyond the iconic “perfect 10.” In its place is the open-ended Code of Points (CoP), developed by the International Gymnastics Federation…
Average Height of Female Gymnasts: Olympic Comparisons & Trends (1996–2024)
Female Olympic gymnasts have a reputation for being short. But have they actually become taller over the past three decades? The Olympic data suggests a small but noticeable upward shift,…
How Gymnasts Build Big Biceps With Straight-Arm Strength (No Curls Required)
If you’ve ever watched a gymnastics rings routine, one thing probably stood out immediately: the arms. Ring specialists often have thick, dense biceps that rival bodybuilders, yet during their routines,…
Handstand Kick-Up Guide: 3 Training Phases for Beginners
A handstand kick-up helps you get into a handstand by kicking your legs up into the air. It’s hard to nail that perfect upside-down position without a strong kick-up. You…
Wall Press Handstand: Top Exercise for Building a Press to Handstand
The press to handstand is an impressive and challenging movement. For many, it's a daunting task until they manage to do it once. Instead of spreading your efforts across numerous…
Avoiding Errors in Back Handsprings: Top Five Mistakes and Their Fixes
A back handspring is a fundamental skill in gymnastics and cheerleading, but it can be quite challenging to master. Today we will show you how to correct five of the…