A few months ago, I met Aarav. He walked into class looking excited but also hesitant, like he was questioning if he belonged there.
He pulled me aside and said, “I want to learn gymnastics, but I have zero experience. I’m not flexible, I’m not strong, and I have no idea where to start. Am I in the wrong place?”
I hear this all the time. So many adults believe that gymnastics is only for people who already have a certain level of fitness, but here’s what I told Aarav:
Gymnastics Starts From Where You Are
There’s a common misconception that you need to be strong or flexible before you start gymnastics. But the truth is, gymnastics is what builds those things.
Nobody starts out knowing how to balance on their hands, do a split, or hold a perfect hollow body position. It’s like learning to swim, you don’t wait until you already know how to swim before jumping in the water. You start, and the process itself makes you better.
Strength and Flexibility Are Learned, Not Given
When Aarav started, he could barely hold himself up in a plank. In his mind, that was proof he wasn’t “fit enough” for gymnastics. But in reality, that was just his starting point.
We worked on basic drills, nothing fancy, just simple movements that gradually built strength and awareness. Within a few months, his plank became solid. A year later, his first controlled handstand kick-up. By the mid 2nd year, he was holding positions he never imagined he could.
What Matters More Than Fitness?
If there’s one thing more important than strength or flexibility, it’s curiosity, the willingness to explore what your body can do.
- If you can’t touch your toes yet, that’s okay. You’ll get closer with practice.
- If your arms shake when you try to hold yourself up, that’s normal. Strength builds over time.
- If you feel stiff, tired, or awkward in the beginning that’s just part of learning something new.
Aarav didn’t have experience, flexibility or strength when he started. But what he did have was a willingness to try. And that was enough.
So, Do You Need Prior Experience?
No.
You don’t need to be fit, strong, or flexible before starting gymnastics. You just need to start. The journey takes care of the rest.