Tumbling in a fitness routine

SuziCue · 08-20-2008, 11:51 AM

I finally realized that I have no reason not to do a fitness competition expect that I am scarried to death!! I teach cheerleading and gymnastics and I am a personal trainer. I have made numerous routines for fitness girls....it really is time for me to get over this "fear bug" and go for it! I have my sights set on April 2009. I have competed in body building competitions so I feel like I got the "stage thing" under my belt.

Now for the question....I suck at a back handspring. I can do it but it isn't pretty. I've been watching routines online and it seems all the girls that place in the top three having some good tumbling......is tumbling a definate to place in the top three in your experience?

If I am going to do this, I want my routine to be the best I can do and if there is alot of tumbling involved, perhaps I should just stop while I'm ahead.

Any help, very much appreciated!!!!

jewelofnile · 08-21-2008, 07:04 AM

I know a few gals that compete in fitness. Of the 5 that I know that compete under the "Savage Fitness" team, only 2 of them know how to do any sort of tumbling. All 5 have their pro cards. Everything I hear is the importance of skills, stage presence, costume, and a great routine. If you can do the required skills, you shouldn't have the worry about a back handspring. I see that you are 5'3...I think if you aim at 2009, though, you could easily have a good back handspring down by then as long as you practice!! Go for it!! Good luck.

Italianangel · 08-21-2008, 07:10 AM

depends on the federation, YOu see gymnastics in ifbb too but routine only 33% of your score or less.....very low, but FAME seems to really like showy routines and is used to 65% and I think it still is. Tumbling is not even graded really on the score sheets, its part of showmanship and athleticism or strength and flexibility depending on the federation. I have judged many shows for different feds and competed with most of them too and it can seem the gymnasts are picked but if so its a small part of the choice.
Ironically most of my pro wins in the natural circuit and even a few wins in the non natural at amatuer level were without any tumbling, just cartwheels, walkovers and handstands......I have gone in busting my ass with gymnastics and it did nothing, they went for the hardest and leanest bodies......what they really appreciate is holds, pushups, very strong shows of strength and if you do tumbling it will bring your mark down if its not polished. They (judges) always say, if you cannot do it well, don't add it, only add what you can do with a smile and ease. EAch fed has a different look or focus they judge toward. With wnbf, you get over a third of your score on facial beauty........well they don't do fitness anymore but figure........so there ya go!
Linda

jewelofnile · 08-21-2008, 07:24 AM

Great advice Linda!

SuziCue · 08-21-2008, 01:04 PM

Great advice from both of you and thank you for taking the time to respond.

I like thinking if it's not 100%, don't add it. It does make me feel better that good routines aren't always back tucks, etc (I haven't done that since college! LOL!)

I'm going for it!!!!

jewelofnile · 08-22-2008, 06:33 AM

I think you'll do great as long as whatever you put in you master/stick. I personally find the routines with tough SKILLS more exciting than tumbling. I competed in fitness over 10 years ago and even had a hard time putting tumbling in when I still new how to tumble (a 5'8 1/2 gal trying to put back handsprings to music isn't always the easiest). But because I felt I had to keep those stunts in the routine I didn't do well. For years I thought it was because I didn't have great tumbling. Well, it was because my tumbling wasn't great...but had I kept it out I probably could have place better.

I think you'll do great. Keep us posted on it. I'd love to hear!!

SuziCue · 08-25-2008, 01:47 PM

Thxs girl!