Inside A Benchmark Session
All of our classes are packed full with activities to challenge and inspire all of our gymnasts - whether they are just starting or have been training for years.
As well as working on gymnastics related skills, our development program ensures that all gymnasts regularly work on developing their balance, strength, agility, power, flexibility and co-ordination, in a fun, challenging and rewarding environment.
At Benchmark we also encourage all of our gymnasts to work towards achieving British Gymnastics proficiency badges, the testing for which takes place once a term in December, March and July.
Our gymnasts also have the opportunity to participate in internal and external floor and vault competitions.
For information on our Parent & Toddler classes see here.
A Typical Training Session at Benchmark*
During a typical 2 hour weekly session gymnasts work in groups as they move through a variety of activities. Each activity is designed to condition, strengthen or develop a specific muscle group or set of skills.
| Discipline | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WARM UP | Pulse raising warm up delivered in differing styles including musical warmups, races, games, leaps and chasses, etc. | 10mins |
| FLOOR | Gymnasts work on the matted floor area using progressions and specific equipment to learn and develop new skills. | 20mins |
| VAULT | Gymnasts work on the vault using progressions and specific equipment to learn and develop new skills. | 20mins |
| AIRFLOOR | Our 'Airtrack' looks like it is designed purely for enjoyment but is a great teaching tool for children who are at the cognitive stage of skill acquisition. It removes the element of uncertainty that children often experience when attempting new skills for the first time, while lessening the repetitive impact on joints when performing flighted skills. the Airtrack is also used for jumps, leaps and a combination of both. | 20mins |
| CONDITIONING | Developing strength and control throughout all muscles groups. | 20mins |
| BARS AND BEAM | Developing balance through one foot balancing, handstands, block work, etc. | 20mins |
| COOL DOWN/FLEXABILITY | A range of muscular stretches done in order to calm and relax the body down to prevent injury | 10mins |
During a typical 1 hour weekly session gymnasts work in groups as they move through a variety of activities. Each activity is designed to condition, strengthen or develop a specific muscle group or set of skills.
Gymnasts will do 2 rotations each week and these will change depending on the week as seen in our examples below.
| Discipline | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WARM UP | Pulse raising warm up delivered in differing styles including musical warmups, races, games, leaps and chasses, etc. | 10mins |
| FLOOR | Gymnasts work on the matted floor area using progressions and specific equipment to learn and develop new skills. | 20mins |
| VAULT | Gymnasts work on the vault using progressions and specific equipment to learn and develop new skills. | 20mins |
| COOL DOWN/FLEXABILITY | A range of muscular stretches done in order to calm and relax the body down to prevent injury | 10mins |
| Discipline | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WARM UP | Pulse raising warm up delivered in differing styles including musical warmups, races, games, leaps and chasses, etc. | 10mins |
| AIRFLOOR | Our 'Airtrack' looks like it is designed purely for enjoyment but is a great teaching tool for children who are at the cognitive stage of skill acquisition. It removes the element of uncertainty that children often experience when attempting new skills for the first time, while lessening the repetitive impact on joints when performing flighted skills. | 20mins |
| CONDITIONING | Developing strength and control throughout all muscles groups. | 20mins |
| COOL DOWN/FLEXABILITY | A range of muscular stretches done in order to calm and relax the body down to prevent injury | 10mins |
| Discipline | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WARM UP | Pulse raising warm up delivered in differing styles including musical warmups, races, games, leaps and chasses, etc. | 10mins |
| BARS AND BEAM | Developing balance through one foot balancing, handstands, block work, etc. | 20mins |
| FLOOR | Gymnasts work on the matted floor area using progressions and specific equipment to learn and develop new skills. | 20mins |
| COOL DOWN/FLEXABILITY | A range of muscular stretches done in order to calm and relax the body down to prevent injury | 10mins |