This document provides tips and activities for effective warm-ups and wind-downs in gymnastics classes. It discusses the purpose of warm-ups and wind-downs in raising core temperature, getting students moving, and setting or ending the tone on a positive note. Various prop-based and game-based activities are suggested for warm-ups, such as relays, races, flashcards, and choreographed routines. For wind-downs, low-impact games and partner activities are recommended to leave students smiling and eager to return. The document emphasizes that warm-ups and wind-downs should be fun, safe, engaging, and encourage participation.

1. Warm-ups & Wind-downs
*How to make the first & last 5 minutes
of class effective and FUN!
Jayne Marascio & Tony Retrosi

2. Who We Are
Jayne Marascio
~Director, Bright Stars Academy, NJ
!
Tony Retrosi
~Owner, Atlantic Gymnastics, NH
~Owner, Gym Momentum

3. Contact Us
•jayne.brightstars@comcast.net
•tony@gymmomentum.com

4. www.gymmomentum.com

5. Warm-Ups
•Choreographed Warm-ups
•Warm-ups with Props
•Warm-up Games

6. Purpose of Warm-up
•Raise core temp
•Get kids involved
•Set the tone
•Get them moving
•Multi-sensory
•FUN!

7. Warm-Up Should Be
•FUN
•SAFE
•VISUAL
•EASY TO JOIN
•*have a backup plan

8. YOUR IMAGINATION
SKY’S THE LIMIT!
USE MUSIC!
Everything’s Better With Music

9. Warm-Up Activities
• Relays!
• Pit Races!
• Gymnastics Flash Cards!
• Resi Jumping!
• Games!
• Props

10. Choreographed Warm-up

11. Warm-up With Props!
•Hula Hoops
•Jump Ropes
•Scooters
•Sliders/Frisbees
•Bean Bags
•Panel Mats

12. HULA HOOPS
• Traditional Hula Hooping
• “Jump Rope”
• Teach How To Skip
• Down Cheese Mat
• Vault Hurdles
• Review Jumps/Positions Inside
• BE CREATIVE (on arm, leg, around neck, spin)
• Gross Motor Skills While Holding Overhead/In Front

13. JUMP ROPES
• Forward, Backward
• One Foot
• Trampoline
• Ski Jumps
• Shoulder Flexibility
• “Skip It”
• *Long Tied Rope

14. SCOOTERS
• Sitting Forward & Backward (Leg Strength)
• On Knees (Arm & Core Strength)
• On Belly (Arm & Back Strength)
• Feet On Scooter, Hands On Floor
(Arm & Core Strength)

15. Sliders/Fisbees
• Hollow Slides Forward and Backward!
• Broken Leg Walks!
• Punches!
• Skip, High Knees!
• Forward Rolls!
• Candle Stick Rolls!
• Stretching!
• Ice Capades

16. Panel Mats
• Mat Jumping, Mat Pushing!
• Squats, Curls, Shoulder Presses, Tricep Dips!
• Pike Stretch, Bridges, Over Splits!
• Rolls, Donkey Kicks, Handstands, Cartwheels

17. Wind-Downs
•Games
•Fun Activities

18. Purpose of Wind-Down
•Leave with a smile
•Hungry to come back
•Forget about a bad event
•Carrot & Stick *

19. Wind-Down Should…
•be FUN!
•be SAFE!
•be VISUAL
•have a CLEAR ENDING!

20. Fun Ending Activities
• Parachute
• Cheese Sandwich
• Barrel Rolling
• Rock Wall
• Tail Tag
• Rope
• Air Trak/Mini Mountain
• Partner Activities
• Sliders

21. “10 Commandments”
• Fun!
• Safe!
• Visual!
• Easy To Join!
• Establish The Tone!
• Encourages
Participation!
• Multisensory!
• Purposeful!
• Everybody Wins!
• Clear Beginning/
Clear Ending

22. Staff Rules
• Energetic!
• Enthusiastic!
• Engaging!
• Exciting!
• Eager!
!
• Educated!
• Easygoing!
• Expressive!
• Essential!
• Everyone
Participates

23. U100 Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction
R101 Preschool Fundamentals Theory
R102 Preschool Fundamentals HOT
R103 School Age HOT
!