Yesterday Rick linked to a post and discussed whether gymnastics coaches must be fit. You can see from the comments in response to the post that readers tend to agree.

Personally I think it is a good example to set to your gymnasts if you are physically fit yourself… if you are overweight/unfit it doesnt mean you are a worse gymnastics coach but perhaps not the best role model for kids in later life.

A coach should practice what they preach.

I definitely agree that a coach should practice what they preach. Sure, we can all put on a little weight here and there but it is wise for us as coaches to be fit to spot the gymnasts and as was said in the comments, drag equipment around the gym. Of course because we as coaches often have to stretch out or rush suddenly to catch our gymnasts from falling, we are all at risk of becoming injured but I would think that those of us in a better physical shape would be less likely to become injured. Let’s not forget that it is in some peoples genetic make up to be predisposed to putting on weight and being unable to shift it. At the same time, a 7.5 stone (105 lb) coach probably can’t lift a 10 stone (140lb) gymnast through moves where she needs a lot of support. I know one of our coaches finds it difficult being so tiny. I think that this also goes for smoking and other bad health habits that people pick up. A coach of ours smokes, she is the only one on the coaching staff that does and we try to keep it as concealed from the gymnasts as possible.

We do need to practice what we preach whether it be what we eat and drink in the gym, how we look after injuries as coaches (not pushing ourselves to spot when we’re not ready), our posture and even down to how we treat others in the gym. Sometimes, a coach can be a younger gymnasts hero, if they see the moves a coach can do, they want to be just like them. We are teachers, we are there to set an example so it’s best to set the best example we can to the young gymnasts.