Retirement Planning; Life After Gymnastics

Mention the word retirement to non-gym people an they wouldn’t instinctively think of a teenager or preteen moving on from their gymnastics career but rather someone in the 60's moving to a subtropical climate to live off their pension.  Retirement is not only a major life-changing event for those leaving the workforce but also for a teenager. Infant, considering their delicate emotional state, this IS the biggest event of their life to dateso far.  

First and foremost, don’t quit tomorrow! Make that commitment to finish the season or year. Finishing something that we start give us much more satisfaction than leaving with loose ends. Perhaps there is a financial obligation to the gym. Considering you are training many hours training, it could be a huge financial loss. Continuing to the end also allows for such ample planning of retirement. If the exit strategy is defined, a much smoother transition will follow which will bring a much more optimistic outlook for the future.

Gymnasts are accustomed to goal setting, working hard towards that goal and eventually manifesting that goal. There is definite certainty of this sport where it would be easy to feel lost without a purpose when leaving the gym. Retirement gives an opportunity for psychological growth when the gymnast’s exclusive identity as the gymnast explores their identity of who they are outside of the gym.

In addition, the planning process is the beginning of asserting personal control and achieving independence. Coaches have always told or showed them what to do and how to do it. This “freedom” can end up being a struggle to adjust to the new independence brought by retirement. Finding new hobbies, extra-curricular activities and other past-times can come into play. Before they have always had to sit on the backburner. Take this time to research all opportunities. Talk to people who do them or better yet sign-up for a trial class.

Furthermore, this time is another opportunity to find connections with friends inside and most importantly, outside of the gym. As a woman comes to identify herself with the relationships she has with others. Find connections to those outside the sport and form new friendships.

As most gymnasts retire during adolescence, it is inevitable physical changes will be associated with the ending of training. Plan to keep the body active, try other sports or dance. While the pressure to be in the best shape for competition may be relieved, a healthy active lifestyle should not be neglected. It’s quite easy to gain 10-15 lbs in a month with no gym, believe me; I’ve been there!


To sum it up:

• Finish the season 
• Find a hobby
• Make new friends 
• Plan a way to stay active.