Building Strength at Home

At Inland Empire Gymnastics Academy, our goal is to help all of our students grow in confidence, strength, and skill — while keeping class fun, engaging, and safe. We truly appreciate the commitment all our families make to bringing their child to class each week!

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As our students move through the recreational levels, the physical demands of the skills they are learning in class naturally increase, requiring additional strength, body control, and proper shaping for skill mastery. For many, attending class one day per week is a great starting point — however, it may not always provide enough strength training and repetition to meet the requirements needed to move to the next level.

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WHY STRENGTH AND SHAPING MATTER

Most of the skills taught in our classes require that our students:

• Maintain tight body positions (straight, hollow, arch, C-shape)

• Support their own body weight on their arms (handstands, cartwheels, round-offs, casting, etc.)

• Control movements and landings safely

• Perform skills with proper form and confidence

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While our coaches incorporate conditioning and shaping stations into their weekly lesson plans, every child develops strength in their legs, arms, and core at a different rate. Sometimes students simply need a little extra time — and that’s okay. This is a normal and healthy part of athletic development. In some cases, students may also benefit from doing a small amount of additional strength work outside of the gym to help build the strength required for the skills they are learning.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP AT HOME

Adding in “at home” strength training, 8–12 minutes, 2–3 times per week can make a big difference in your student’s progress. To make at-home training easy and safe, IEGA has a YouTube channel with strength-building and shaping exercises, which can be accessed below. These videos allow students to get stronger at home while being guided by some of our awesome IEGA coaches, using familiar exercises and drills. Students can follow along with the coach or do the exercises on their own. Either way, adding in a stretching and conditioning regiment at home is a great way to support your gymnast’s progress between classes.

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TEAM EFFORT

Progress in the gym looks different for every child. Moving up a level is about readiness, physically and technically. By combining weekly class instruction with some at-home strength and shaping exercises, you’re giving your athlete the best chance to feel successful and prepared.