Gymnastics at home, is it safe?

by Brian Bakalar - Head Coach & Owner of Gymnastics Revolution in Bethel CT.

Time and again, people ask for my opinion on “home gymnastics.” Whether it be a backyard trampoline, a balance beam, a mat, or just kids bouncing on the bed, there are number of important pieces which make up my answers.

Is home gymnastics a good idea? The answer is, “does it matter?” I can say this because no matter how many warnings go out, no matter how many times they are told otherwise, kids are going to do their gymnastics at home. There simply isn’t a gymnast alive who doesn’t do cartwheels on curbs or bar swings on the swing set. As coaches, we caution against home practice, and teach the dangers of the “back handspring,” and we even go so far as to forbid many skills without a professional spotter. But we aren’t so foolish as to believe that these admonitions are followed all the time. So whether home gymnastics is a good idea or not doesn’t matter, because home gymnastics is a way of life. It will always be there, and we need to determine a safe way for this to happen.

Parents ask me about buying equipment, such as balance beams and mats. Certainly the gymnast will be safer if there is a mat present, right? Logically, the answer is “yes.” But, will the mat give the gymnast false confidence to perform skills that shouldn’t be performed at home? Probably, the answer is “yes” again. If given a choice between a hard basement floor and a softer mat, anyone would opt for the mat. I think that this instinct is right on. I think home balance beams are fine. Walking on a balance beam is certainly safer than trying to walk across the top rail of a fence! My opinion is basically, if used properly, home gymnastics equipment is a great asset to the aspiring gymnast, as well as a good investment for your child’s physical health.

The home trampoline has become America’s big risk. Whenever possible, I warn parents of the dangers of the backyard trampoline. Safety nets do NOT prevent injury. Burying the trampoline so it is at ground level also does NOT prevent injury. Trampolines are dangerous. They produce motion and height, and these can produce unexpected motions. This is when injuries occur. The most important thing to remember is this: having more than on person on the trampoline is a sure way to increase the risk of injury. Two kids bouncing together will inevitably cause trouble. I liken trampolines to swimming pools. The state requires a 4 foot fence to surround any swimming pool, but has no such rule for trampolines. The state requires self closing gates and doors for a pool, but not for trampolines. And, of course, we would never let children swim without adult supervision. Can we say the same for trampolines? In defense of the trampoline, though, is this statement. I myself grew up with a trampoline in the back yard. Neither I, nor any of my friends, neighbors, or siblings were ever injured.

The important thing to remember is that 99% of the kids who do any gymnastics at home are perfectly fine. But, reasonably speaking, kids get hurt. They skin knees, they fall down, they bump heads, they even break bones. We can’t stop this, and the literature tells us that kids who never get hurt aren’t challenging themselves, and aren’t physically active enough. We need to be prepared for an emergency, should it occur, but never allow children to shy away from physical exercise because of its inherent dangers. It also seems relevant to mention that home gymnastics equipment does not replace the need for a qualified instructor, and Gymnastics Revolution does not promote any parent coaching their child, or requiring the use of that home equipment. In another article, I will discuss the role of the parent for the aspiring gymnast, but for now, suffice it to say that gymnastics is a wonderful part of many children’s lives, and that can and should certainly extend to the home.

With the proper safety standards, and a little good judgment, we can minimize the risks, and maximize the enjoyment of gymnastics.