Healthy Lifestyle

Most people know that regular exercise is very important for growing children. Gymnastics is a sport which both boys and girls can participate equally and has been proven to improve:

Physical Fitness
Cardio Fitness
Co-ordination
Spatial Awareness
Self Esteem and Self Confidence
Muscular Development
Listening Skills
Social Skills
Health Awareness
Strength
Flexibility
Music appreciation and awareness

Brain Development

An active body supports an active mind. Gymnastics has been linked to improved language development, occupational and physical therapy and academic achievement. Ralph Barrett, a US educator and gymnastics coach for over 20 years has validated through his recent research the fact that, in general, gymnasts make better students! In his studies pre-school students who participated in gymnastics activities achieved SAT scores nearly 10% higher than students who were not involved in gymnastics.

There is a proven direct correlation between gymnastics-type instruction and the development of neurological pathways in students. Brain research over the last 50 years, particularly over the last 10 years, has demonstrated a direct mind-body connection.

Osteoporosis

Something you may not have known is that participation in regular gymnastics classes may also reduce a child’s likelihood of developing osteoporosis in later years. Please see below: It may be that participation in gymnastics actually offers some residual protection against osteoporosis,” - UGA foods and nutrition researcher Richard Lewis (University of Georgia Research Magazine, Winter 1995)

“Experts believe that one way to prevent osteoporosis is to build bone mass from a young age with regular exercise, especially “high-load” activities that exert pressure on bones. A study in the Journal of Pediatrics reports that gymnastics could be one of the best ways to protect girls from developing osteoporosis. - Associate Professor Gordon S Lynch

Other Benefits

Gymnastics has been recommended by Occupational Therapists to assist in body development. Gymnastics encourages life skills such as positive relationships and good behaviour patterns. It is a base activity which develops skills needed by the majority of other sports, including listening skills, understanding instructions and exposure to structured physical activity where safety aspects and rules need to be adhered to.

Regular participation, especially when it’s fun, encourages a healthy attitude to all forms of exercise and other sports. It gives the participant a zest for life.

Jollettes Gymnastics is a cost effective way to bring a balanced approach to a child’s sport, academic and social life. As we operate a recreational gymnastics program, there is no huge time commitment required by children (or their parents) who are already juggling school, home and friends. And most of all it's FUN!