Mindset & Motivation

A new year is a natural reset, especially for gymnasts. It’s a chance to reflect, refocus, and build confidence heading into competition season. While skills and strength matter, gymnastics season preparation goes far beyond physical training. An athlete’s mindset, confidence, and routines often make the biggest difference in how they perform and grow. At Raise the Bar Gymnastics, we believe the best seasons happen when athletes are supported both mentally and physically. Sta

As coaches, we all know the challenge of keeping athletes engaged and progressing when they’re out of the gym or need extra strength work. Rest is essential, but movement and purposeful training are equally important to maintain progress and support long-term gymnastics goals. When an athlete steps away from regular training—whether due to travel, schedule conflicts, or injury—it’s easy for them to lose momentum. The key is providing structured, safe, and effective workouts t

The Importance of Pre-Season Gymnastics Mindset Training A few years ago, at the start of pre-season gymnastics mindset training, I wanted to try something different with my athletes. Instead of diving straight into skills, drills, and routine work, I set aside a quiet afternoon in the gym for a confidence and mindset session. No routines. No timed warm-ups. No pressure. Just spotting blocks as tables, folding chairs, and a scatter of pens, markers, and stickers across the ma

A few years ago, I was trying to figure out the best way to encourage athletes to keep pushing for progress on their beam training and skills. Have you ever noticed athletes getting stuck in one place with no forward movement toward the high beam? What I always try to highlight with my athletes is the small wins. As coaches, we sometimes get too caught up in whether they "have it on high beam or not"—it's a black-and-white mindset. But I knew I needed a way to celebrate the i

As a gymnastics coach, I’m always striving to improve my knowledge for my athletes. Great coaching goes beyond drills and conditioning. It’s about understanding people, particularly the young athletes we work with every day. My goal is to constantly learn how to guide them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Essential Reading for Coaches Here are five books for gymnastics coaches that have made a lasting impact on how I approach coaching. Whether you’re new or experienced,