Superguides: Gymnastics

The photographs are step-by-step, and crisp, clear, and high-quality. Detailed instructions are also there to accompony each photograph. Another good thing is that all the gymnasts in the book do the skills with very good technique and form, so you'll know the correct and proper way to perform each skill. Plus, there are fun facts, tips, and photos of famous gymnasts that correspond to what you are learning.

Although this book does not cover much on the apparatus, I still think it is a solid introduction for beginners. In the beginning you'll find information about what to look for in a gymnastics club, what to wear to workouts, information about each gymanstics apparatus, etc. At the end of the book there are sections about sports acrobatics, tumbling, and rhythmic gymnastics.

All in all, I would defintely recommend this book to any beginning gymnast of any age, or anyone who is just interested in learning more about this sport. I myself have been following the instructions and tips and I have just about gotten my back handspring by myself- just from reading this book! So definitely check this book out if you're a beginner. Advanced gymnasts would probably enjoy browsing through it, too.

Brittany Marshalls


Pretty Good   February 17, 2003
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I think this is a nice book about gymnastics, but like one reviewer said, it's a little too short. It starts off with a forward by Shannon Miller, a history of gymnastics, what to wear to class, and shows a typical gym. The section with the skills was pretty good, but there weren't many in here. The instructions were nice and detailed, though, and I liked the rythmic gymnastics and sports acrobatics part. It's great for people who want to learn about the sport or beginning gymnasts.


Kinda short...   October 31, 2002
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

A very attractive book, but covers only a few moves. (Forward/backward rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, back walk-overs, back handsprings, and handstands.) Not really useful for a girl wanting practical tips. Other apparatus (bars/beam/vault) are barely touched on.


A Really Good Book for Beginning Gymnasts   October 10, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is one of the best books on gymnastics I have read. It has pictures that show people how to do the move, and it starts with really simple tricks and moves on to the most difficult trick in the book- a backhandspring. It also has parts on sports acrobatics and rythmic gymnastics. It's a great book, but I would recommend it to beginning gymnasts.