Gymnastics

[Sevada]

I was looking to start gymnastics. Would this be a good way to build my overall strength. ?

[DJAuto]

Yes.

A lot depends on genetics, though. Gymnasts usually have excellent genetics.

[ultragymrat]

I hate to say this, but no b.s. ...
If you were 10 years old I would say yes, but at age 22 to start gymnastics could be pretty risky and frustrating.
I coached gymnastics for 10 years and worked with kids and adults. Untrained adults over 18 are very hard to train in gymnastics. The reason is that gymnastics builds muscle by using bodyweight in an anerobic training manner, but the moves involved that really build muscle (and are the most fun) are complex ones that require you to have built up muscle memory and training to be able to throw your body weight around (e.g. cirlces on horse, giants on high bar). The muscular adult gymnasts that you see started when they were 6 years old (maybe in early teens) but not 22. It ain't nice, but it's the truth.

Gymnastics is great, but unless you are already very stong and lean and coordinated if you are new to it and want to build muscle, lift weights instead.

[Bioteknik]

at 22, it would take forever to get the flexibility too, the rings are no joke, probably tear something in most people.

[TheWatcher]

I agree pretty much with what everyone else says. I mean, you could work on a few moves such as the planche, and do some different types of holds, but to start a whole hardcore routine at this age would be hell on your connective tissue.

[ricochetrj]

I coach a 40yr old bodybuilder that just started gymnastics. He can barely do anything on rings or pommels, even with his strength, but is very motivated and enjoys it

[Jack_Lupino]

i find this all very depressing...

i feel like i missed my calling in not being a gymnast but thanks to a homophobic dad there's no way in hell i would have even asked to be in gymnastics...

it wasn't until i was an adult that the reason i stopped figure skating (something i was naturally really good at) when i was younger was because it wasn't manly enough. so instead i ended up playing baseball and soccer (wasn't particularly good at either) which i didn't really enjoy.

sucks mainly because i really love watching parkour and free running videos but i just know if i started trying that stuff i'd end up in the hospital or dead...