Archive for June, 2011
Olympic Champion Shawn Johnson’s Comeback Ahead of Schedule
Posted by: | CommentsOlympic champion Shawn Johnson has been working on her comeback to competitive gymnastics after time off, winning Dancing with the Stars, and keeping up with her busy media schedule. Originally she was schedule to make her comeback debut in August at the 2011 Visa Championships in St. Paul, MN, but according to a USA Gymnastics’ Facebook status update and a report from International Gymnast, Shawn Johnson will be competing the Cover Girl Classic in July.
The Cover Girl Classic is being held in Chicago on July 23rd. It is one of the meets that gymnasts can use to qualify to the 2011 Visa Championships which is considered to be a stepping stone for many in their journey to earn a berth on the 2012 US Olympic Team. Shawn will only be competing in two events – most likely bars and beam – for both the Covergirl Classic and Visa Championships as she is still recovering from knee surgery. I’m excited to see how she does – as so many comebacks are disappointing – but I’m rooting for Shawn!!
Shawn has also signed a sponsorship deal with Nike leading into the 2012 London Olympic Games. She will be wearing Nike cross-training gear, but I can only wonder if Nike will launch a line of Shawn Johnson apparel. Its unlikely they will enter into the leotard arena, but you never know.
Image Source: ShawnJohnson.net
GK Elite Design a Leotard Contest
Posted by: | CommentsThe 2011 Visa Championships for Gymnastics will be held August 17-20, 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota. This year’s national championship meet will give us a glimpse of the gymnasts who will emerge as the potential members of the US Olympic Gymnastics Team for 2012 in London. While the athlete roster is not yet set, there are a few fun things in the works for fans. For example, budding leotard designers can color their own leotard design and submit it to USA Gymnastics for the chance to win 4 VIP All Session Tickets and 4 Hospitality Tickets to the 2011 Visa Championships and more.
Visit USA Gymnastics resources page to download a copy of the Color Your Leotard entry form and complete details for entering. Even if you are not interested in entering the contest, I know a lot of gymnasts who think its fun to design their own leotards and will have fun letting their creativity go to work!
Change Up Your Warmup Routine with Dance
Posted by: | CommentsWhen it comes to getting your athletes warmed up and ready for workout, it doesn’t always have to be the same old routine! The purpose of warm ups is to get blood pumping and muscles warmed up – there is no set way to do it. At the popular gymnastics and cheerleading camp, Woodward, the coaches took inspiration from the massively popular YouTube video, the Evolution of Dance, to create a fun warm up for their campers. Check out the Woodward version below or watch on YouTube:
Looking for more ways to change up the warm up routine? Try:
- A game of tag
- Play soccer
- Build an obstacle course
- Play Simon Says
- Play Duck, Duck, Goose
- Have relay races and athletes jog in place or do jumping jacks while waiting for their turn
- Play Here, There, Everywhere
So change things up a bit this summer and watch your athletes faces light up! Chances are, you will have a better workout if things are not always the same old stuff. For more ideas on how to add some fun to your workouts check out my post called “Incorporating Fun into Workouts.” Afterall, sports should be fun!
