adult gymnastics instructor spotlight: sara baer 

let's get on with the interview

Athletes from Sara's adult class practice their handstand forward rolls.

What is your full-time job?

I’m a professor and chair of a department at Southern Illinois University. 

What led you to start an adult class? How long have you taught one?

My long-time passion for gymnastics and my own desire to be in an adult gymnastics led me to start a class. I have practiced with and helped adults at gymnastics for several years, but I’ve only been teaching a formal class for about six months.

Did you have another coach to model after, or did you have to come up with how it would work on your own?

I mostly came up with it on my own, but I observe coaches teaching kids and team regularly.

What makes coaching an adult different than coaching a child?

For one, I am cautious about working a lot of high impact skills. We spend a lot more time warming up. I also view adult gymnastics as an alternative type of work-out, so I focus on activities that you can’t do at regular gym or at home. Many of the activities are aimed at strengthening and toning the whole body, which should enable progression in gymnastics, but a skill might not be the goal.

What is your favorite thing about adult gymnasts?

My favorite aspect of teaching adults is their excitement about being there, challenging them, and experiencing their joy and surprise when they do something they never thought they could do.

What is the hardest thing about coaching adult gymnasts?

The hardest part about instructing adults is balancing time allocated to improving basic skills, increasing flexibility, and conditioning needed to progress in gymnastics with only one practice a week while introducing new skills so that they don’t get bored.

How do you deal with a class of all different levels?

If we are working a skill, I try to have options for all levels of advancement. Back-handspring, for example: beginners use the trainer, I spot on trampoline, others work them on trampoline without spot, tumble track without spot, air-floor, or floor. The nice thing is that adults who have advanced skills are happy to work independently at improving their skills. I can usually give feedback between turns. With more than six adults, it’s probably best to have two coaches and one who can spot tumbling for advanced gymnasts.

Do you feel that adult gymnastics is dangerous?

I frequently recite a statistic I once read: there is an 80% chance of injury running. Anytime you challenge yourself, there is risk. It’s important to be judicious about adult activities. We have to remember that we are not kids. Our joints take longer to warm up and many of our backs are not as flexible. We never work back-walkovers. We do work a lot of tap-swings on strap bar (knowing many of the adults will never giant) because it’s a great, no-impact form of exercise. I am fortunate to coach at a gym with pit that can be used for bar dismounts, tumbling, and vault. There is also a sunken resi-mat under the bars and no shortage of mats in the gym.   

want to get in on the action?

Adult gymnastics is such a fun and rewarding way to stay fit!

Sara Baer's adult class happens at:

Saluki Gymnastics 

Tuesdays, 5:15-6:45 pm

Carbondale, IL

"Be part of the inspiration."

did you know there is a gymnastics camp just for adults? we are also looking for instructors.

We are looking for instructors for our next camp! You can sign up via the link below.

Find out more about our next adult gymnastics camp.

Disclaimer: Adult gymnasts and coaches give advice and suggestions on this page. By reading and implementing the information, you assume all liability for injury. The advice given is for educational purposes only. Please check with your in-person coach and ensure that you have the proper pit, mats and/or spot available before trying any suggestions. If you don't agree to these terms, do not attempt anything that you see on this page.