Age groups in art gymnastics

The youngest gymnasts are up to 10-years old and called "children". As you already well know, we started training when we were 5 years old only. The following parameters were of utmost importance when the selection was carried out: height, weight, chest measurement, extremity length, flexibility, and strength. In the beginning, we were trained of different elements without any apparata. Later on, we made use of a ball and a rope. The rhythm of our exercises was determined by the piano music accompaniment. To the age of 10, we learned the alphabet of art gymnastics and developed our artistic capacities.

The second group covers the age up to 12 years. The gymnasts are called "junior-age girls". When we were 10 years old we were admitted into the Sports School. The curriculum was prepared according to the requirements of the training process. We started to use a new apparatus, i. e., the hoop. The obligatory elements became more difficult. It necessitated stronger strenuousness and ambitiousness during the course of studies.

Desislava, 10-years old

The next group covers the age up to 14 years. The gymnasts are called "senior-age girls". During this period we formed our own play-styles. Two apparata, i. e., the bats and band were added to the initially used ball, rope, and hoop. The Technical Commission decides every year which four apparata should be used by the individual gymnasts.

Desislava, 12-years old, 6th position at republican championship

The training process is particularly hard and fatiguing as we prepared ourselves for the republican competitions and for the entrance examinations into the enlarged staff of the National team.

Since our 15th year of age we already belong to the group of "females". It is the largest group as there are no age limitations for cessation of the sports activity. Everything is rather individual although, usually, the top-rank form is achieved at the age between 17 and 18 years. During this period we do believe to make use of everything acquired as knowledge and skills in order to reveal the maximum of our capacities. The obligatory everyday training with a choreographer is common of all these age groups. In the beginning, thanks to his valuable help we improved our qualities but later on the obligatory elements of our exercises, too. There exist individual and group exercises in every age group.