Customer Reviews

The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Young Performer's Guide)

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Nice book, but do not be misled by info in reviews here - there is almost nothing on men's competitions or male competitors. I originally purchased it for my nephew, but found that all of the photos of young competitors were little girls.

A wonderful book for those who want to or have just started gymnastics, this book will guide you and makes a great introduction to gymnastics. The book was written Elfi Schlegal, a former Olympian, and has many full-color photographs of famous gymnasts and young gymnasts performing basic gymnastics skills. Some things this book talks about are getting started, finding a gymnastics club, what to look for in a coach, eating healthy, conditioning and warm-up excercises, different gymnastics skills, competitive gymnastics, and much more. Many tips and quotes from famous gymnasts are also in this book, too. This book is a wonderful choice for all beginning gymnasts, and a very wise purchase.

I really recommend all parents and children to read this
book whether they are involved or not in gymnastics. It
tells you everything there is to know about the world of
recreational and competitive gymnastics. It also motivates
kids to stay fit,healthy,and doing their best in any aspect
of life. It also informs parents the benefits of hard work
and discipline on children .

My daughter loves this book for it's excellent overview and pictorial progression of low-level skills. She'll study a particular series of pics and then work her fanny off trying to mimic them in detail. This in addition to practicing what she's learning in class. I was pleased with this facet as it's helped her get her backward roll solidly, and now has her locked into the right form for her pullover as she saw it so clearly in the still images.

I enjoyed the book immensely for that...but even more so for the glimpse of the life should kiddo decide to keep going. In addition to showing a large range of basics...it also paints a clear portrait of what life looks like at the higher and elite levels of the sport. It doesn't glamorize it at all, but it doesn't showcase it in a dark way, either. It's clear to the reader that the author worked extremely hard when she was an elite gymnast, but enjoyed it, too.

I would recommend this book to any gymnast and her family looking to get a grasp on the sport they're considering. While I think the factual information and 'gym life' aspects are excellent for both young male and female gymnasts...what other reviewers have said is true. While there are 'some' pieces directly for the male gymnast and most instructional pieces would work for EITHER, the book is overwhelmingly more directed toward a female audience. As it's written by a female gymnast from her perspective as having lived that life...this makes complete sense to me.

For less than the cost of a single gymnastics lesson, you won't go wrong reading this before signing up for gymnastics class! Very nicely done guide to gymnastics, written by Elfi Schlegel, a former Canadian national champion and University of Florida NCAA champion gymnast, along with Claire Ross Dunn. This book provides detailed information for girls (boys, too) considering gymnastics and wishing to develop their beginning gymnastics skills. The book addresses reasons for choosing to pursue gymastics, what to look for in a gym and coach, how to get started, staying healthy, basic gymnastics skills, recreational gymnastics, and competitive gymnastics.

Throughout the book, there are many photographs of young girls demonstrating skills and techniques. There are also many photographs of Efli Schlegel as a child performing a gymnastics stunt. There are a few photographs of boys, but they're definitely not the target audience. Skills are often shown through a series of photographs and detailed explanations, which are instrumental in showing EXACTLY what one should do in order to master a skill -- such as learning how to do a handstand or a cartwheel. All apparati used in both boys' and girls' gymnastics are featured.

Particularly enjoyable is the section at the back of the book on the people and moments most impacted the author -- she calls this "Elfi's scrapbook." It features Olga Korbut, Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, Vitaly Scherbo, and others.

The book looks a little bit dated (copyright 2001), but the information seems current. Although it describes the benefits and fun parts of gymnastics, it doesn't glamorize gymnastics. Nor does it minimize the amount of time and committment that is required in order to compete, particularly at the senior level. The "Day in the Life of a Competitive Gymnast" may help keep your young gymnast from getting stars in her eyes and dreaming of the Olympics.

Overall, this is a book that young gymnasts will return to time and time again, that provides information useful to beginning gymnasts and to parents guiding their children through the beginning stages of gymnastics.

I really recommend all parents and children to read this
book whether they are involved or not in gymnastics. It
tells you everything there is to know about the world of
recreational and competitive gymnastics. It also motivates
kids to stay fit,healthy,and doing their best in any aspect
of life. It also informs parents the benefits of hard work
and discipline on children .