pet'
Level 8 Valued Member
Hello,
I am not a gymnast, but I think what makes them strong - among other things - is their ability to develop close to max strength in the entire ROM, with perfect body alignment (meaning straight body and core engagement). The variety of their moves secures the fact that they push, and pull in approriate amounts to avoid imbalances. When they work on rings, they have to deal with a lot of instability, which barbell does not really replicate.
Nonethless, learning curve is way different. Gymnastics may require years and years to perform a decent front lever (for example). It could be shorter to get a 2x or 2.5x bdw DL. Do not misunderstand, I do not mean weightlifting is easier, I just mean that for the "average" guy, it may be a faster way to get stronger.
If we consider weightlifting, only a few moves are required to really get a full body strengthening: DL, Sq, OVH Press (or possibly BP). Pull ups may be a great add-on. There are plenty of technical details with these moves, and devil is the details. However, there are only 3 of them.
Gymnastics could be 'roughly' the same: planche push up (for core and upper push and spine erectors), HSPU with deficit (push), front lever (core, upper pull), pistol (quads). Progressions for these moves are harder because this is all about body leverage, which is harder to scale comparing to add or remove a few kg. As always, there are also techniques which have to be learned.
Gymnasts are usually shorter and very lean, which is an advantage for their sport (less leverage, less "useless weight" (fat)). Of course, we can find exception with taller and bigger guys, such as Daniel Vadnal from YouTube channel FitnessFAQ.
Weightlifter are not necessarily fat if we consider this article: “Dry Fighting Weight”: Fat Loss Through Strength | StrongFirst
Then, depending on their training, if they are that lean, but also train for power, it may explain why they may have good sprinting abilities.
Kind regards,
Pet'
I am not a gymnast, but I think what makes them strong - among other things - is their ability to develop close to max strength in the entire ROM, with perfect body alignment (meaning straight body and core engagement). The variety of their moves secures the fact that they push, and pull in approriate amounts to avoid imbalances. When they work on rings, they have to deal with a lot of instability, which barbell does not really replicate.
Nonethless, learning curve is way different. Gymnastics may require years and years to perform a decent front lever (for example). It could be shorter to get a 2x or 2.5x bdw DL. Do not misunderstand, I do not mean weightlifting is easier, I just mean that for the "average" guy, it may be a faster way to get stronger.
If we consider weightlifting, only a few moves are required to really get a full body strengthening: DL, Sq, OVH Press (or possibly BP). Pull ups may be a great add-on. There are plenty of technical details with these moves, and devil is the details. However, there are only 3 of them.
Gymnastics could be 'roughly' the same: planche push up (for core and upper push and spine erectors), HSPU with deficit (push), front lever (core, upper pull), pistol (quads). Progressions for these moves are harder because this is all about body leverage, which is harder to scale comparing to add or remove a few kg. As always, there are also techniques which have to be learned.
Gymnasts are usually shorter and very lean, which is an advantage for their sport (less leverage, less "useless weight" (fat)). Of course, we can find exception with taller and bigger guys, such as Daniel Vadnal from YouTube channel FitnessFAQ.
Weightlifter are not necessarily fat if we consider this article: “Dry Fighting Weight”: Fat Loss Through Strength | StrongFirst
Then, depending on their training, if they are that lean, but also train for power, it may explain why they may have good sprinting abilities.
Kind regards,
Pet'