How big of a factor is height?

[grasshoppa]

Hi guys, noobie here...

One thing I have always noticed about gymnasts is that they are short and stocky. When I was younger I was almost always the smallest child in the classroom, but at age 23 I am nearly 6"2. Not only am I tall, but I am bottom heavy (large legs/glutes). This to me seems like the opposite of a gymnasts build, so how practical is it for me to do gymnasts-like exercises? I am fairly athletic, and am an experienced lifter, but I want to experience that gymnast strength and control (hand stand pushups!)!

I appreciate all your input!

[Scott Malin]

Height will not prevent you from achieving great things. In fact, at the May seminar, the participant with the best progress on a manna stands something like 6'6" tall! Check out the May photo album for some inspiration.

May 2012 Photos

[grasshoppa]

Thanks for the encouraging words!

I'll be sure to follow you guys on FB. I did not know you had a page.

Thanks again

[Blairbob]

It's only really a factor if you wanted to compete competitively. Kids obviously want to be good when they compete and for an adult it only matters if they wanted to compete and place in collegiate or elite. For rec competition, it doesn't really matter as it's about fun and not trophies (more like ribbons in rec competition).

For the fitness enthusiast, it's not really a factor at all. There is a learning curve but coming to gymnastics as an adult already has a learning curve in regards to body awareness and orientation unless you did something like gymnastic like as a kid.

It's said that swimmers sometimes have that problem at times because of being in the water vs 2 feet.