Adult gymnastics flips into the New York Times!


Germany's 86-year-old Johanna Quaas performs and exhibition routine at the 2012 Cottbus World Cup in Germany.  
Photo:  www.bellenews.com

The New York Times has done a fabulous piece about adults who were inspired by Gabby Douglas and the Fierce Five to try gymnastics for the first time.  The article tells the stories of adults, including moms, who watched Gabby and the others flip and twist through the air and signed up for classes to try to learn a few of their moves.  

Adult gymnastics has been growing steadily in popularity in recent years.  Fueled by the Olympics, and particularly by the growing numbers of older Olympians, like Germany's 37-year-old Oksana Chusovitina and Bulgaria's 39-year old Jordan Jovtchev, gymnasts and fans alike are discovering that gymnastics can be a sport for all ages.  Check out this great post and graphical explanation regarding older Olympians on Masters Gymnastics. 

Earlier this year, Germany's 86-year-old Johanna Quaas became an internet sensation with this floor routine, which she performed as an exhibition at the 2012 Cottbus World Cup.  Quaas just may be the world's oldest competing gymnast.  You can catch more of her routines here.  

Back in the United States, click here to watch Gymnastike's exclusive interview with Tina Wise, Maryland's oldest competing gymnast.  This interview was filmed in October 2011, as the then-42-year-old mother of two was preparing for another competitive season as a USA Gymnastics Level 9 gymnast in Annapolis, Maryland.  Click here to watch more of Tina's impressive competitive routines.    

For more information about the exciting world of adult gymnastics, click here to visit Gymnastike's dedicated adult gymnastics page.  Here, you can find classes near you in both list and map form; connect with and check out videos of adult gymnasts of all levels; find adult meets and see comprehensive coverage of past adult meets, including an October 2011 meet in Burke, Virginia and the Ladies' division of the 2012 AAU Age Group Nationals in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; and much more! 


The adult class at Capital Gymnastics in Burke, VA, August 2012

Click here to read the full New York Times article.