‘I Took an Adult Gymnastics Class and It Made Me Feel Like a Kid Again’

Between watching fellow Americans crush the Olympics and wanting new ways to work out (my latest trial run: cardio drumming), I knew an adult gymnastics class was next on my to-do list.

I’m not the only one who’s been inspired, either: TikTok is full of videos of creators doing the same. Some have said “that was so fun…it’s really good to get out of your comfort zone” or advocated for people trying gymnastics as adults. Others desired adding something new to their workout routine and chose this fun option.

So, I registered for a Wednesday night class at Cirque de Vol in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Hopping into an adult gymnastics class for the first time

To quickly recap, the basic tumbling and acrobatics class I went to had about eight participants. The instructor led us in across-the-floor stretches and exercises, followed by teaching us how to do tricks such as cartwheels and forward rolls. Afterward, we had time to practice whichever skill(s) we were interested in improving.

While I’ve always been amazed by the skills of decorated gymnasts like Simone Biles, this class quickly gave me a new appreciation for how hard and long she and her teammates train, and how incredibly talented they are. Because regarding my experience, let’s just say this: My cartwheels as an adult look much different (read: worse) from the cartwheels I did as a kid.

Plus, as an adult, I’m not as fearless when it comes to practicing handstands against a wall or even doing forward rolls that will surely break my neck, right?

Don’t get me wrong: Properly learning how to do cartwheels, round-offs, forward rolls, handstands, and other moves was super fun. It brought me back to being a kid, contorting my body in whatever ways I could on the living room floor. I appreciate the beauty and the privilege I have to be able to challenge my body to move in new and complicated ways.

When I fell awkwardly from a cartwheel or got dizzy from a quick forward roll in class, I tried to give myself the patience and understanding that kids do. You know, the inner fortitude and lack of shame they have that propels them to keep trying and not worry about natural mistakes.

Once I embraced this mindset, I was able to enjoy the class more. I stressed less about looking incompetent and focused more on trying to get better—and even feeling excited about that. The other participants helped me with this, too.

Why more people should consider adult gymnastics classes

Some class members were beginners, while others had more experience and were kind and helpful to me as I learned the ropes. I spoke to them after the class about what they appreciated about these tumbling and acrobatics lessons. Spoiler alert: They had similar thoughts as I did.

“That’s what I love: There’s always something new to learn,” says Jennifer Peavy, who’s been coming to this class for about five months. “I’m enjoying just seeing how far I can take it.”

While not all of the participants had a gymnastics background as a child, some did. “I was a gymnast when I was young, so part of it is just that I love gymnastics,” says Jody Robertson, who’s been back in it on and off for around six years.

While I’ve always been amazed by the skills of decorated gymnasts like Simone Biles, this class quickly gave me a new appreciation for how hard and long she and her teammates train, and how incredibly talented they are.

Along the lines of gymnastics simply being fun, a common theme among participants was appreciating how it’s different from hitting up a weight rack or hopping on a desk treadmill, for instance. “I’d rather do this than go to the gym,” Robertson adds. “It’s a lot more fun for me.” (I certainly don’t disagree!)

Fun exercise is beneficial in and of itself: According to an October 2020 research article in Frontiers in Psychology¹, interest and enjoyment are critical determinants in ensuring long-term engagement in physical activity.

The mental health benefits may be stronger in this kind of environment than at the gym, too. “I think it’s really beneficial mentally because you’re around other people that are wanting to have the same goals as you, whereas you’re really alone and isolated at the gym,” says Mena Wiser, the class instructor at Cirque de Vol who’s taught gymnastics for eight years and been a gymnast for 25 years. “This is more of a social thing, so I think it’s really good for mental health, personally.”

But the benefits of gymnastics—especially compared to a gym workout—don’t end there. “Physically, we do work a lot of muscles that most people don’t work at the gym, so it’s different, and I feel like you get a little stronger this way rather than just looking muscular,” Wiser says.

Where to find an adult gymnastics class

Now that I’ve maybe convinced you to try a gymnastics class, you might be wondering how to find one near you—especially one made for adults and beginner-friendly, am I right? The good news is, finding a doable class may not be as difficult as you’d think.

I just typed “adult gymnastics classes near me” into Google, and came across a variety of resources: Reddit pages with recommendations, Mindbody’s compilation of local fitness classes, Yelp’s local top 10 list, and other websites for local gymnastics centers. There you have it!

As I reflect on the class a few days later—lying on the couch with tight hamstrings, reminded that I’m not a kid anymore—I’m also reminded that childlike joy (and resilience) can be discovered again in adulthood.