Gymnastics is a physical sport that requires balance, strength, flexibility, and agility. People may not know this but gymnastics is the hardest sport because gymnasts around the world are expected to take hardcore training and suffer from stress and injuries to achieve their goal and reach for the Olympics.

Training

First, gymnasts must train until the very second they feel too weak or in pain. Gymnasts are expected to train at least twice a week and make near-impossible goals. Being a gymnast means you have to be strong, so, at least once a week gymnasts will do something known as conditioning. Conditioning is a workout that gymnasts do to stay strong and healthy and maintain their strength and balance and helps them strengthen their core and muscles for bars, floor, beam, and vault. 

Health

The health of a gymnast is very important. They must stay hydrated and strong when doing all their tricks and routines. Being a gymnast can also severely impact the athlete’s mental health. Perfectionism, critiques, and daily training can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. To remain physically strong, they must maintain a strict diet, eating a very specific number of calories. 

Schedule

Gymnasts don’t always have time for school because they are too busy and focused on perfecting their moves and challenges. Gymnasts spend their time in a gym Gymnasts spend about 2-5 hours of training during the day and about 30 minutes to an hour of conditioning. Because of this, they eventually have to make up classwork and homework late at night or during study hall. 

Why is gymnastics considered a sport?

Gymnastics comes with many ups and downs.  The athletes come home with a bunch of injuries, bruises, and exhaustion from trying to perfect their moves and routines. In my opinion, it’s the hardest sport to compete in because of the amount of time it takes to strengthen one’s muscles, bones, and core and perfect the routines. They also go through so much pain and effort to make their families, friends, and coaches happy and proud of them.