Competing

[trevmckinnon]

I am new to gymnastics and I am looking for info/advice from any competitive gymnast or who ever may know how to help.

What type of competitions/opportunities to compete are out there for 18+ gymnasts?? Is College gymnastics the only option for the young adult? Are there any age limits for competitions?

Background: I am 19 years old, just graduated High School, and new to gymnastics world. I wrestled for 3 years in high school year-round. I finished at a pretty high level considering only training for 3 years (Top ten in 4A Washington State). I love to workout and have been doing strictly gymnastic/bodyweight based workouts for a few months now.

I have been going to gymnastics classes for only 2 weeks now and besides enjoying and loving every minute of it, my coaches say I have a lot of natural skill and am progressing fast. Besides the fact of really enjoying it in general, that fired me up even more.

I would love to compete somewhere. I plan on transferring to a University that happens to have an intercollegiate club team next year regardless, but is College gymnastics the only option??

I know that the USA Wrestling organization sponsors tons of tournaments nationwide that go from local, state, regional, national and even to the olympic level of wrestling for ALL AGES. And there is always a competitive pipeline where you can compete as far as you are good enough too.

Is there something similar with the USA Gymnastics organization???

any info/advice and comments are accepted

Thank you

[Erich Lin]

Where in washington are you from? Anywhere near Seattle?

[trevmckinnon]

Yeah pretty close, Redmond.

[Blairbob]

Trev, there are a few adult meets here and there around the states but the intercollegiate clubs will more likely fit your desire. Not only college students compete in NAIGC (like me).

Of course besides college there is Elite. Heh.

[trevmckinnon]

Thanks for the help, thats what I figured was the case. Cool about the NAIGC, How do you compete in NAIGC meets without being in College?

[Erich Lin]

which adult classes do you go to? I go to metropolitan in kent? I"m assuming you go to emerald city? I live in downtown seattle.

[trevmckinnon]

I actually go to Eastside Gymnastics in Woodinville, bordering Redmond.. I have heard a lot about Metropolitan though, its quite a drive from redmond for a 2 hour class (i'm assuming). How often are your classes?

[Erich Lin]

It's more like a 2.5 -3 hour class because everyone stays after to fool around. A bunch of us actually carpool from Redmond Also their Tuesday/Thursday classes are 3 hours i believe. I think they run from Monday - Thursday. And then open gym on Saturday

[Blairbob]

Trev, technically you can compete as "Alumni" but that also is open to the club who is hosting the meet. Some clubs can or do allow outsiders to train with them. It sort of depends on if they are training at their college or at a private club.