Raise the Bar Blog Post

Whether you’re shopping for a young pre-team athlete, a competitive gymnast, or just someone who loves gymnastics, these gifts are practical, fun, and guaranteed to be loved. Here’s a breakdown of each item from our Raise the Bar Gymnastics Gift Guide and why it makes the perfect gift for a gymnast. 1. Leotards Leotards are always a win. Gymnasts live in them, and a new leo instantly boosts confidence and excitement for practice. Brands like Salute are my girl's favorites

Press handstands are one of those skills that when done correctly with control look effortless, smooth, floaty, controlled. But the truth is the press handstand is a very specific combination of strength, flexibility, and body awareness. If any piece of the puzzle is missing, the press immediately feels very challenging and impossible to initiate. It’s a full-body coordination skill built on three major pillars: 1. Compression Strength: The Foundation of Every Press Handstand

The kip is one of the most commonly trained skills in gymnastics, yet also one that athletes frequently can struggle with. Coaches know the shapes. Athletes know the drills. But even with consistent practice, some gymnasts still can’t make the kip happen. The reason isn’t usually lack of motivation or effort. More often, I have found the athlete simply does not have the specific strength needed to perform what the kip requires. And when we understand the true strength demands

What the Research Says HIIT & Technical Accuracy Under Fatigue A recent study in youth athletes found that performing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) before skill work resulted in greater improvements in technical accuracy under fatigue (e.g., passing, dribbling, shooting) compared to HIIT placed afterward. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine . Interpretation for gymnastics: If conditioning comes first, athletes may face greater challenges when moving into skill

When I first decided to launch a TOPs (Talent Opportunity Program) for gymnastics, my goal was to create something that challenged athletes without overwhelming them. It’s easy to get caught up in the intensity of high-level training, but the demands of a TOPs program can be a lot — especially for athletes under the age of 10. Over time, I’ve learned that starting intentionally and building slowly is the key to creating a sustainable program. Here’s how I built our gymnastics