The Gymnast Phenomenon

It's a fact that children who become gymnasts do better in school. Studies have shown that gymnasts as a whole, get better grades than other athletic groups from elementary to high school and throughout college. A college gymnast is three times more likely to win an NCAA academic award or post-graduate scholarship than an athlete from any other sport. In fact, the NCAA awards more post-graduate scholarships to gymnasts than to any other female sport (source: http://www.mit.edu/~fog/stats.htm). But why? What makes gymnasts so special? How can a competitive student gymnast spend 15-20 hours a week, year-round in a gym and still excel academically, get homework done and make the honor roll? The answer lies in what they learn from gymnastics: self-discipline, dedication, and commitment to the sport. It translates into success in the classroom and beyond. If you've met a few gymnasts, you already know they are some of the brightest, sweetest, most gifted children on the planet. However, it didn't happen overnight or by accident. Their parents first persuaded them to try it, and then they learned from their coaches and teammates. What motivates them? They want to grow and get better with each practice. Every day they strive to become a little bit better than they were the day before. With that attitude it's no wonder that children who become gymnasts do better in school. Now imagine spending your time as a parent, coach or teacher with that wonderful group of hard workers, helping them learn, watching them grow into the best that our world has to offer. It makes you want to be better as well, and do everything you can to help them. It might even inspire you to build your own gymnastics school from scratch!