As comp season goes full steam ahead, its often hard for all involved to find time for family, friends and hobbies.
Coaches and gymnasts spend from 6 hours to 30 hours a week in the gym depending on level and which gym you attend. (Gymnasts and coaches really should have their own beds and private kitchen, they spends more time in the gym then they do at home!)
Parents of gymnasts spend a lot of time in the car dropping off all kids to different practices (not just their gymnast for bigger families) and picking them up again! (Lets be honest, might as well make your car your new home after all this is where most parents spend most of their time)
Even with phone reminders, written reminders and email reminders things always seam to fall through the cracks. Its normally the smallest things that mean a lot to a competing gymnasts.
Every competition 1 or more are missing hair ties, gel/hair spray, undergarments that go with leo, scrunchies, water bottles ,grips and so much more. yup! Believe it or not it happens more than you think I have seen it all over the years!
I often keep extra tape, back up grips, back up wrist guards, back up everything needed!!!!! Even a few brand new cheap sports bras and even feminine hygiene needs. You just never know what will come your way!
But here are some tips I learned over they years not only being a coach but also a gymnast.
First lets start with gymnasts
I always suggest keeping your comp bag in your locker at the gym. This way you know everything's already in it. If a locker is not available to you, then use your comp bag to go to the gym!
Find 2 water bottles that is only for gymnastics. Keep 1 in your comp bag and one in the car! Just in case!
Make sure you put all your gymnastics needs for events like grips and wrist guards in your bag after every practice! Make it a habit so you don't forget them!
Get a little hair box that holds all your hair needs. Keep that in your bag also. This way you will always have the necessities to keep your hair up not only in the gym but also at comps!
Keep your leo and warm-ups hanging up behind your bedroom door! You get home wash, hang up! Boom ready to go and hard to forget! After all you will see it everyday!
As a coach!
Never assume the girls have everything! Always assume its the first meet. After practice make sure they check bags before leaving and have everything. I use to check bags as they walk out. They were not allowed to leave till they got a green okay next to their name on the comp list. (Meaning they have everything in the bag)
However if you have a bigger team, download a team app like band. I love band. Before practice post a reminder for gymnasts to pack up! Then again after practice asking parents to look over bags make sure everything is there.
This way if something is missing you can stop by the gym before the meet and pick up what ever was left.
Lastly i always have extras in my gym bag. Wrist bands, my old wrist supports, any lost and found grips one of each size if possible. I normally keep size 1 and 2 as they are the most used size in my gym. Tape, extra hair ties, gel and scrunchies. I even buy cheap Walmart sports bras small med and large. They were 5 bucks each! I had to use 1 once and only once. But its still good to have even tho it may not be used that season!
And of course we are coaching young ladies so i have many options for feminine needs, you just never know!!!
That'
s a lot! .....
Yup! But small things matter as a gymnast!
I hope this helped! And its able to help you save some time and have less stress around mid comp season as most gyms have 2 or 3 meets a month come January!
Good luck!!
Coach Kayla
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