This indispensable guide is simply the best book for beginners to the sport of artistic gymnastics. Illustrated with stunning full-colour photographs of gymnasts balancing, tumbling and jumping, The Gymnastics Book features skilled guidance from a medal-winning, record-breaking gymnast who is now a noted instructor. The topics covered in detail include: - Finding a good gymnastics club. - Qualities to look for in a coach. -Warm-up and cool-down exercises. - Entering competitive gymnastics. - Managing victories and losses. - The importance of family and friends. - Nutrition and apparel. - Financial aspects. - A typical day of training for competition. The book is also !lled with anecdotes and advice from Olympic stars, taking beginners behind the scenes and offering a no-holds-barred account of life as a competitive gymnast. New gymnasts featured include: - Shallon Olsen: At just 11 years old she ranked first overall in her age category. She now has the 2016 Olympics games in her sights. - Kyle Shewfelt: To date, Kyle is the only Olympic Gold Medallist (2004, Athens) from Canada. - Emily Boycott: A Special Olympics athlete and 27 years old, her team took home !ve gold medals from the 2007 Beijing Olympics.