So your New Year’s Resolution is to get fit – great start, but what’s next? If you can find an activity where you have fun as well as get a good workout, you’re probably more likely to stick with it and turn a resolution into a lifelong habit.
There are so many activities and sports out there to choose from, and CommunityAd spoke with Justin Bannister from Tornado Gymnastics Club to learn more about his sport of choice.
Justin has been involved in gymnastics for over thirty years, and got into the Great Britain team while he was still at school. “I got into gymnastics as a result of me trying different sports and having an incredible amount of energy,” he remembers. “Gymnastics helped me in other aspects of my life: focus, concentration, exertion of energy to better relax.”
What are the benefits of taking up gymnastics?
Gymnastics covers so many skills, and helps the athlete to gain strength, speed, power, balance, flexibility, and self-confidence. It’s also a great deal of fun.
What if someone isn’t very fit or flexible – can they still do gymnastics?
In a word… yes.
Having flexibility will help with skills, but flexibility can be improved. Most people and kids who start gymnastics gain flexibility once they begin.
What would you say to someone interested in gymnastics but anxious about joining a club?
Always know that there is nothing to lose by trying, and most people who do have anxiety over joining a club are always glad they did.
What could someone expect in a beginner’s class at Tornado Gymnastics?
We cover beginners well because we are a post pandemic club. You could expect a trial session with a warm up and some flexibility stretching, and we will learn some take off jumps and shapes. Nearly all at Tornados were beginners just a short time ago. We also have a really young group (Little Tornados) which starts at four years of age.
What do you hope Tornado Gymnastics can offer the local community?
Certainly great enthusiasm! I offer recreational level gymnastics classes – but also the sky is the limit, because I was also coaching the GB Junior team up until 2020 at artistic gymnastics. We can go as far as the support we get, and the facilities at the club allow for the higher-level gymnastics as well, which wasn’t always available in this area.