Research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University showed that attending sports events has a positive impact on two measures of well-being; it helps improve life satisfaction and also reduces feelings of loneliness.
Here we look at five top reasons why attending a live gymnastics event will not only benefit your health but also give you a greater appreciation and understanding of the sport and what goes into making a successful gymnast.
Appreciate the level of skill and amplitude involved
Television offers the opportunity to see gymnasts performing and replays can show the level of skill and amplitude to a certain extent. Being live in an arena highlights the height and dynamic nature of the sport. You also get a better sense of the mental resilience and focus required.
Watching people perform incredible feats of personal and collective excellence before your very eyes just drives home how incredible the human body is, and maybe even how lucky we are to be alive and witnessing first-hand what these athletes do day in and day out to achieve such excellence.
Enjoy the warm-up
Make the most of the event and arrive early. See how the athletes prepare to perform their routines. Watch the careful way that they build up. Admire the endurance that the gymnasts display. Experience the atmosphere and build up to the competition. Once the competition begins a lot is going on at once. The warm-up offers the chance to get your bearings and focus on the gymnasts that you want to see.
See the team behind the gymnast
Witness first-hand the role and responsibilities the gymnast shares with coaches, officials, physios, other medics, volunteers and others who play a part in getting the best out of the gymnast. You’ll be amazed at the role coaches play in keeping their gymnasts safe and well during a competition. Supporting, setting the equipment and offering feedback following routines are just a few of their roles.
Inspire the next generation
So many high-level events have been held with the UK, including European Championships, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. This allows young gymnasts to see their idols and be inspired to work hard when they return to the gym. British Championships offer the chance to see not just the best in the country but also some of the best gymnasts in the world and are worth attending.
Explore the different disciplines
Gymnastics comes in many forms and not all make it onto the TV. Whilst Gym Stars (available on BBC I player) has been great at showcasing different disciplines the best way to experience what each area offers is to go and watch. It doesn’t need to be at the highest level either. Local championships have a lot to offer. Watch the videos on the links below to find something that you love and would like to experience including:
Artistic Gymnastics (Men and Women)
Trampolining
Team Gymnastics
Tumbling
Sports acrobatics
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Disability Gymnastics
Many initiatives currently promote the benefits of physical participation in sport, but the researchers at Anglia Ruskin University — led by Dr Helen Keyes —believe that watching live sporting events can also offer an accessible and effective public health tool —although more research is needed the benefits are quite clear to see.
Whether it’s a local event or an international competition the outcomes can be the same. For information on events coming up keep checking the British Gymnastics Events page. Here you’ll find competitions across the UK and all up-and-coming international events.
Even if you can’t get to a competition watching the sport on TV can still have many benefits. The BBC show a significant amount of events across a variety of disciplines. This is also promoted on the British Gymnastics news page near to events so it's worth keeping a look out.
If you are after something a little different and frequent then tune into the American Gymnastics College Competitions. Beginning in January there are a series of dual meets between Colleges before progression to Regional and National Championships. There is extensive coverage on YouTube and it offers something a little different.
You’ll see top US gymnasts competing in a different environment and can follow the progress of all the teams as the season progresses. It’s also a great way to learn more about the sport and the moves performed. The commentary includes a lot of analysis and explanation of the rules and how points are awarded/deducted so is very informative. You can even choose a College to support and follow which has additional mental health benefits, a sense of belonging and community.
So however you get your fix of gymnastics enjoy it and feel the benefits of having an interest in something which is actually really special and will give you pleasure and joy.
British Gymnastics Homepage: https://www.british-gymnastics.org/
Mental Health Benefits of watching Live Sport: https://www.wellandgood.com/mental-health-benefits-of-watching-live-sports/
NCAA (US Collage Gymnastics) Gymnastics Homepage: https://www.ncaa.com/sports/gymnastics-women
A mainstream sports fan’s guide to choosing which college gymnastics team to support: https://www.ncaa.com/news/gymnastics-women/article/2023-12-18/mainstream-sports-fans-guide-choosing-which-college-gymnastics-team-support
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