P.S. Feel free to post any tips or anything to get over fears, or how to condition etc. anythings welcome!
Thanks x
13 isnt that old studies have shown gymnasts dont peak (get to their best) until their 24-26 giving you another 13 years until you would be at peak age for gymnastics. You could certainly compete but you do need a club try other clubs in your local as well obviously when you first start bar will probably be a problem for you as im guessing you have never done bars before, however you should pick up floor beam and vault quickly as they are all linked and similar as what you practice at home so once you have a bar routine and a club sorted you can compete and you sound like your in good shape so should be able to pick up fast. When you say good i dont know what you mean it may be quite hard to get elite unless your going to give up everything and train seriously like everyday for about 4-5 hours, but if you really do want to get elite or even think about championships and things there are trampolinists who start at 13 and make olympic teams you could do gymnastics as well but i would really recommend trampolining as a sport which you can get into competing quickly. I started competing after 2-3 months of joining trampolining and can 2nd in my first competition at 12 my friend whos 12 now joined trampolining 4 weeks later she did her first competition so that could be an option if you want to compete high level :)
Well, it sounds like you're a rising talent.
Usually, without a club, you can't enter competitions so realistically you'll need to find another club. As you're 13, as soon as you join the club, you'll need to be super fast at learning and progressing and eliminate all fear. To catch the coaches eye, you'll need to be confident but not cocky, determined and hard working aswell as talented. Once you're working up the ranks, you could enter some competitions. Even low key competitions still count towards your 'gymnastics resume' and will give you experience. At competitions, keep calm and just relax and have fun and make the judges, gymnasts and parents watch you so be confident.
Making it to elite is what you'll have to do to become an Olympian, no mean feat. You need to train up to 40 hours a week, get nutrition and diet and sacrifice everything. School, social life and family time. Some elite gymnasts are even home schooled. The next stage in your Olympic quest is Nationals. You'll need to qualify to Nationals and then compete. On the olympic year, you can then advance to the Olympic Trials and that is where you're Olympic fate will be determined.
Don't be disheartened if you don't make the Olympic team, I mean there is hundreds of girls vying for 5 spots, it's crazy. Instead of the Olympics, you could go down the route of College gymnastics and get a full-ride scholarship to a Division 1 school or try your hand at coaching but the Olympics isn't everything in Gymnastics, there's lots of routes you can take.
First off, it's great that you're learning gymnastics because you're flexible and fit and most people would love to be like that. And I say do not give up on this dream! If you really want to show of your amazing talent, them you should join and be proud of the accomplishment you made to enter a the competition. If you want to impress your coaches, I think you should join the club and keep practicing a lot and it'll sure to get the coaches' attention. Who knows, you may even be qualified to enter the Olympics in 3 years. All I have to say is try your best and continue what you're doing because that's you're special talent. I hope this encouraged you :))
Don't give up, you're doing great, especially for 13 and a self-trainer. I'm 15, go to a club (rhythmics though) and can't do any of those! Don't give up on your dream, you can do absolutely anything you want! I can't give advice in how to help, but I thought I'd cheer you up:)
May I ask, how did you learn that stuff though? (Links, if any?)
Keep going, you'll get there xx
