Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Good for Beginners
This is the prequel to the "I Can Do Gymnastics: Essential Skills for Intermediate Gymnasts". It has easier moves then that one, with diagrams and instructions to explain each move. This book also has a chapter about landing safely and includes procedures to practice. It has instructions for most of the apparatus, and it includes the difficulty levels which are A for the easiest, B for medium, and C for hardest. The book is clear and easily understood by beginers. It can also be used by gymnasts who are on the competitive level to improve their basic skills.

I'ts Okay!
This book was pretty good and showed me a lot of gymnastics moves, but I knew a lot of them from my gymanstics classes and all it had was a simple diagram showing you how to do a move with some instructions. In a way, it was kind of dumb. I liked it okay, but definitly do NOT read it if you are a gymnast higher then Level 3!

Very Basic
Very basic book nothing that the reader might learn, Pages like those posters on the Gym wall small diagrams with two words under that!

Good instructional book with pictures; good for parents too!
Excellent instructional book for children and interested parents. Book contains numerous sequenced pictures and are easily undestoon, ... Read more

Book Description

The 2000 Olympic Games are nearly here. Once again the United States sends forth its greatest athletes, both men and women, to participate in the world's greates sports competition.

In this beautiful souvenir album, filled with gripping words and stunning photos, you'll meet the stars of U.S.A. Women's Gymnastics. Vanessa Atler...Kristen Maloney...Elise Ray...Dominique Moceanu...and more. We'll also take a look back at the miraculous victoy of the 1996 team, along with profiles of Olympic heros of the past: Olga Korbut, Nadia Comaneci, and Mary Lou Retton.

This is the team. Now is the time.

Go, U.S.A., Go! Bring home the gold! ... Read more

Book Description
These exercises help to strengthen the gymnasts legs so that she can land with control and decrease the chance of injury to the lower body upon these landings.Some exercises specifically concentrate on the landing technique while others help develop strength.Keep in mind, that these drills should be incorporated into a balanced training program, to include general and sport-specific conditioning, speed, endurance, flexibility, and of course, skills, combinations, and routines ... Read more

Book Description
A historical overview of the greatest female gymnasts in Olympic history. Includes chapters on Agnes Keleti (the oldest gymnastics gold medal winner), Olga Korbut, Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, and Kerri Strug. A brief final chapter focuses on future "perfect tens" participating in the summer 2000 Olympic games. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, published by American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) on March 1, 1999. The length of the article is 4018 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Teachers of educational gymnastics should constantly refine their skills. In teaching their students, they should allow the student to learn each skill step by step. Teaching the moves in stages produces positive results. In this approach, the teacher gives the student one exercise to do over and over again until the student has perfected the exercise. This will pave the way for more complex exercises later on. Refining the movement emphasis of each stage should take precedence over individual variations.

Citation Details
Title: Refining skill in educational gymnastics: seeing quality through variety.
Author: Lynda M. Nilges
Publication: JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 1999
Publisher: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
Volume: 70Issue: 3Page: 43(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description
Gold medal-winning gymnasts always have a beginning. I Love Gymnastics! will take you there. Jane Feldman's beautiful photographs display the practice and care that one young girl and her friends devote to becoming the best gymnasts they can be. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice photos, boring story
I bought this book for my daughter's 7th birthday. She loves gymnastics and eagerly grabbed the book but after flipping through it quickly she declared, "Nice cover but the story is kind of boring." She would have loved more text and a more creative story. ... Read more

Book Description
Jenny had it all.She was cute.She was smart.She was one of the top gymnasts in Europe.Life should have been perfect.But it wasn't.The kids at school teased her and her best friend started hanging out with the class witch.On top of it all, her mom seemed just a bit too involved in her life. When tragedy strikes, Jenny has a choice - let her world destroy her or learn to stand on her own.Reading Level: 3.5 Ages: 8-12 ... Read more

Book Description
Pictures and videos are great but not nearly as accessible and personal as a journal written and created by you. This is your journal, a personal record of your experiences as a competitive gymnast. Someday, maybe that day is today, you can look back and see the person you were as you began your career as a competitive gymnast. You can reminisce alone, share it with friends, or inspire your own children to reach for their goals and learn from your experience. A new world of experience awaits you at each level of gymnastics competition. Use this journal to record every thrilling moment! Go to www.GymnasticsTrainingTips.com for more information. Makes a great birthday or holiday gift for that special gymnast in your life! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Must Have for Young Gymnasts
If there's one thing young girls LOVE to do, it's write in a journal.Rik Feeney's "Gymnastics Journal & Meet Survival Guide" is informative AND great fun.Along with gymnastics backgrounds on the journal pages, he's also included leotard design pages and meet tracking forms.This would make a terrific gift for any gymnast. Wish we'd had something like this when my daughters were involved - now I can send one to my granddaughter, though!

Wishing This Book had been Written Sooner
Rik Feeney has created a beautiful book that will keep young gymnasts happily engaged before, during, and after meets.The photo-drawings alone are worth the price of the book. Where was this book when my daughter was competing?

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a few tidbits, but a bit scattered and poorly edited
This was pretty much what I expected from a self-published book.I learned a few things.It's not clear who the intended audience is, because it variously addresses gymnasts, parents, and coaches.Readers looking for a thorough and well-polished reference will be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description
U.S. Three-Day Event Team veteran James Wofford shares his secrets for training great jumpers. He assures riders that horses who are taught to jump using a gymnastic system soon become confident and efficient over fences. He carefully details how to train young horses using gymnastics—clearly illustrating how to set up each grid. He also provides a systematic sequence explaining which gymnastic to use when, depending on the horse's level of training and the rider's focus, whether it be cross country or show jumping. Exercises are given to help correct existing bad jumping habits in older horses such as refusals, run-outs, or improper striding. Whether you are just learning to jump or you are a seasoned expert, Wofford provides ample exercises for setting up your horse to succeed over fences.

JAMES WOFFORD is one the world's leading experts on gymnastic jumping. He was a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team for over twenty years, winning two Olympic Team Silver Medals and four National Championships. For the last two decades he has concentrated on training the cream of America's young event riders using the time-tested methods described in this new guidebook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Bible of Gymnastics
This book is my bible, i have 3 or 4 copies: one for the barn, one for my house, and spares in case i leave one out in the rain (I have done so already). It is the best method ever, simple, straight forward, progressive. This method really works. It eliminated having to think about what i should do when i want to jump... I LOVE IT ... Read more

Book Description
KiDnastics® makes your job easier:
• Simplifies instruction into three easy steps
• Frames content around just five movement categories
• Increases kids' movement vocabulary
• Goes beyond isolated skills to routines and sequences
• Provides for individual differences
• Requires little or no spotting

Forget about dragging around heavy gymnastics equipment; put an end to your worries about student safety. This book brings to life an instructional model that will change the way you teach gymnastics.

KiDnastics® is a simplification and a rethinking of traditional gymnastics. It's a one-of-a-kind program inspired by children and built around the joy of moving and the interplay of movement and the environment. Borrowing elements from traditional and educational gymnastics, KiDnastics places the conceptual focus on how both traditional and nontraditional equipment can be adapted, changed, or manipulated to produce different practice environments for more efficient student learning. No special equipment is required, and the concepts are adaptable to any physical education setting, regardless of resources or budget.

This highly visual book takes a unique, three-step approach to teaching gymnastics:

1. Practice single skills.
2. Sequence the skills together.
3. Perform them for an audience.

To simplify instruction, the KiDnastics model frames its content around just five movement categories: rolling, jumping, balancing, vaulting, and hanging and climbing. The book presents 70 skills divided into 16 themes within those movement categories. Once the students learn some basic movement skills, they combine them into sequences with partners, trios, or small groups. The kids choreograph their own routines (often coming up with very creative sequences) and have a blast in the process, all the while learning cooperation and teamwork. Finally, students demonstrate their routines in a variety of ways. The book gives you tons of ideas to help you coordinate a culminating event¾a KiDnastics show¾by providing organizational ideas, formats, checklists, and sample parental newsletters.

This step-by-step line of attack makes it easy for you to learn the KiDnastics approach and then teach it to your students. You play the role of facilitator, presenting tasks that students practice first in one environment and then in many different environments to expand their movement repertoires. The book includes illustrated task cards that you can photocopy and laminate so that class preparation is easy—just have students select task cards and then develop their own routines.

This child-centered approach applies COPEC's (Council on Physical Education for Children) developmentally appropriate physical education practices by helping students acquire a well-rounded movement base and challenging them to select their favorite moves and refine their skills through practice of their own partner sequences. KiDnastics is also effective in inclusive settings because the students work at their own ability levels in noncompetitive situations, and you can provide for individual differences by modifying or reconfiguring the practice environment.

KiDnastics works equally well whether you prefer a child-centered, indirect, and problem-solving style or a more direct style. It's a great way to make your job easier and at the same time help students have more fun and achieve greater success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great for the basic basics
this is a good book for the basic basics of gymnastics.it really only centres on the floor,rings and horse but if you want your children to get fit and healthy at home it is a great start as none of the activities need expensive equipment and nearly no spotting from an adult.
a good beginners guide but not for everyone ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Olympic Gymnasts of the World
All gymnasts, even beginners, work very hard on their goals.This book shows that no matter what size you are, you can be a good gymnast.If you're big and powerful you are probably good on floor and vault, or if you're light and flexible you're probably good on beam and bars.This book also shows that gymnastics is a team sport.This book is great and interesting.It shows different gymnasts from different places and different methods.There's all different ways of doing gymnastics, that's what'sso cool about it.Read this book!

Good, but too many errors
The problem with this book is that although it features good biographies and very nice pictures of several female gymnasts, it has way too many typos and errors. If careful editing and consideration would have been made before publishing the book, the book would probably be a far more enjoyable read. Anyways, this book includes biographical sketches of female gymnasts such as Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Vanessa Atler, Svetlana Khorkina, Kristen Maloney, and some others that I can't remember. It also has a chapter with a brief history of gymnastics at the beginning. The biographies include very nice full-color pictures along with a brief list of highlights in each gymnasts's career. Overall, I thought that this book was pretty good, but I would have rated it more if it was more accurate and had less mistakes.

The Worst of the Worst of Gymnastics Books!
Clearly, Rachel Rutledge does not know how to write a decent book of gymnastics. I have read many more that were far better then this one. There is wrong and left out info, (Who says that Kim Zmeskal was on the 1996 Olympic team, and why did Ms. Rutledge leave out Amanda Borden, the team captain?!) Also, there are misspelled words. Vanessa Atler's name is NOT ZVannessa! Plus, why does Dominique Moceanu have to be included in all the gymnastics books I read? She is a wimp and in my opinion, a very bad gymnast. (Sorry Dominique Moceanu fans!) The only thing I thought was good about this book were the pictures. Save your money for a better book.

A rushed, but interesting book
I liked the people in this book, but there were incorrect facts and many typos. If a little more effort would have been put in this book it would be excellent.

TERRIBLE!
I am totally in love with gymnastics, but please, don't ell me that Kim Zmeskal was on the '96 Olympic Team.Nor that Vanessa Atler's name is spelt ZVanessa!I love the pictures, I hate the inaccurate info!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Good resource for gym teachers
This book is an excellent resource for those who would like to introduce a rhythmic program to their school or gymnastics club. The book covers everything from equipment(it even shows you how to make your own ribbon and stick) to the different kinds of body movements included in rhythmic gymnastics. Basic apparatus work is illustrated for all the five apparatus: rope, ball, hoop, ribbon, and clubs. There is also a section which covers the stretches and conditioning exercises helpful to rhythmic gymnasts. Nearly 150 photographs and illustrations help make this an excellent tool for teachers. ... Read more

From the Publisher
This beautifully illustrated book is a celebration of the rich heritage of women's gymnastics during the period 1966 to 1974, when the older gymnasts of former times gave way to a younger generation which brought with them a more dynamic approach to the sport.

First in a series of four volumes which will describe the history of women's gymnastics through 1996 (the present time), Volume I contains 82 color and 95 black and white photographs for a total of 177 pictures.Volume I covers the Mexico and Munich Olympics and the World and European Championships of the period. There is also a brief mention of other lesser competitions.

Of equal importance are the biographies of the leading gymnasts. These will enable gymnasts of today and tomorrow to know what went on in the minds of their famous forbears.

In addition, 82 routines are described as part of the narrative. These are illustrated by 84 diagrams taken from the official "Code of Points."For gymnasts, coaches, judges and anyone who answers "women's gymnastics" when asked, "what is your favorite sport?" this is your book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A Masterpiece
Last I checked, website Grips Etc was still selling new copies of this book for $35. So before you drop $240+ on a used copy, I suggest you investigate that avenue.

Not quite a coffee table volume, but more than a mere history, this is easily the most comprehensive, thoroughly illustrated, and ambitious history of the sport I've ever encountered. With its play-by-play of every major gymnastics event, it threatens to be TOO detailed. But who can really complain, especially when there's so much interesting stuff on offer (particularly the fascinating "where are they now" interviews with the legends of the sport)? And it's all printed on glossy white paper. Classy.

Book has some drawbacks. There isn't an index, which is a sin considering there's 400 pages of detailed text to sort through. The prose is frustratingly passive in tone and, at times, chaotically arranged (quoting paragraphs-long passages from other sources really breaks the flow). This robs the book significantly of dramatic power. The photography is good, but not breathtaking, and most of the images are relatively small, which might frustrate fans seeking something more, er, coffee-tably. In other words, this is a history for fans of 1966-1974 gymnastics only--which must be a very small audience indeed.

But that small audience will be hugely impressed. You realize how special this book is when you consider how most gymnastics history books today are just heavily authorized biographies, "inspirational" works that, quite honestly, are very dull (the only really good reads lately have been those that criticize the sport--at least there's *drama* when things go horribly wrong). It amazes me that there is a void that has yet to be filled for a great illustrated history of gymnastics (even the International Gymnastics Federation has failed to address that, preferring to put out coffee table photo books that are frustratingly devoid of detail--more propaganda works peppered with inspirational writing than real histories).

So, this book stands alone. There's never been anything like it--making the fact that the sequels seem fated never to materialize all the sadder. The thing really is (almost) worth $240. But go to Grips Etc. first for your $35 copy anyway. ;-)

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
For all you fans of women's gymnastics, this is the book you have been waiting for! It leaves no stone unturned in the gymnastics happenings between 1966-1974. We see the descriptions, both in word and in Code of Points illustrations, of the routines performed by famous gymnasts such as Caslavska, Tourisheva, Rigby, Korbut, Zuchold, Janz, and many others. The pictures are terrific! So are the bio's.

This book takes you back to the glory days when women's gymnastics was performed by WOMEN, not by anorexic teenaged dwarves. In fact, it inspired me to resume gymnastics after an 18-year hiautus!

I got in touch recently with Mr. Simons, the author, to order Volume II, but it has not yet been released. Please do so immediately, sir!! So many people are waiting eagerly for it!

Absolutely Fabulous!!!
The most wonderful women's gymnastics book written.
I have been waiting for a long time for volume II, and that is the ONLY dissapointing thing about this book.Worth every cent.
Mr. Simons----please put out Volume II soon!!!!

A must for any gymnastics fan
It just does not get any better than this. This book is an absolute must for any gymnastics fan. I bought it as soon as it was published and do not understand why volume 2 is not yet available. I understand four volumes were originally planned. I really hope they will be out soon.

Women's Gymnastics a History: 1966 to 1974
For those who dispair that there are no books for the gymnastics fan written for an average age above 10, here is your book! I love the sport as a fan. Beyond back issues of gymnastics magazines, it is hard to find good information. This book is excellent! It describes in detail the competitions, routines, and competitors of its time. My only disappointment is that it ends in 1974, and I have yet to see Volume 2 hit the shelves. A great read! ... Read more