Significance

• Coaching gymnastics obligates you to teach in a productive and safe environment. Training and certification is required, as gymnasts need to be prepared mentally and physically for new skills. Gymnasts also must have the chance to learn in a safe and comfortable environment to ensure their chance at success.
  
  

Function

• Certification to teach gymnastics can help if you're teaching a class or coaching a group of gymnasts. According to Gymnastics Stuff, parents want to feel that their child is in the best hands possible and being certified in training gymnastics will help. Attaining your certification shows parents and prospective students that you are seen as a professional in the gymnastics world.
  
  

Features

• Certification takes place over a course of 30 to 60 days. Instructors who are already certified on a national level will work with you at your facility. They will ask you a series of questions that pertain to a video of drills and exercises you will be shown. You will need to demonstrate that you and your gymnasts use these drills and conditioning exercises as part of your training program. You will be asked to have your gymnasts do the exercises per your instructions, with the certified instructors on hand to judge your skills and knowledge as a coach. Instructors look for creativity as a coach, your usefulness, your respect for your gymnasts and being safe with them in a learning environment.
  
  

Considerations

• Besides becoming certified as a gymnastics coach or trainer, you also need to take the Safety/Risk Management Certification test that is offered by USA Gymnastics. It is required for introductory coach members and junior introductory coach members, as well as for the professional and junior professional members. Certification lasts four years and you must re-certify at the end of those fours years. This class can be taken either online or in person and focuses solely on safety for the gymnast. The online class costs around $65 and the live session is priced around $70.
  
  

Benefits

• Training to be a certified gymnastics instructor will not only boost your confidence, but also the confidence others have in you when choosing an instructor for their children, or themselves. The USA Gymnastics club wants its members to always feel protected and that the coaches in its membership are all well-versed in risk awareness and safety procedures.