How to Prepare for Tumbling Classes

Tumbling involves flexibility, strength and coordination. To prepare for tumbling lessons exercises such as arm curls, push-ups and stretching can make your first lesson easier to handle. Gaining a head start on developing upper body strength and stretching your muscles can give you an edge in succeeding in your lessons, and make it easier to transition to such a difficult activity.

Instructions

    • 1

      Strengthen your arms. To tumble effectively, you'll need upper body strength, so get a head start before starting your classes begin by doing push-ups. To start, do five sets of five every morning when you wake up, and five before you go to bed at night.

    • 2

      Lift weights. Start off easy with 5-pound dumbbells and do five sets of 20 alternating arm curls. Lift the arms to your chest slowly counting to five, and then slowly release the arms down at the same pace. Performing arm curls will strengthen your arm muscles, and make it easier for you to flip yourself over in tumbling class. As time passes, increase your dumbbell weight to 10 pounds.

    • 3

      Start stretching. Sit on the floor with your legs in a v-shape in front of you. Reach your arms to one foot, and hold in place for 10 seconds; repeat on the other side. By stretching, you will gain flexibility in your legs which will make it easier for you to flip yourself over in tumbling class. Flexibility is key to having good form and performing well in acrobatics.

    • 4

      Practice your round-off. A round-off is similar to a cartwheel because you are placing both hands on the ground at once, lifting the feet vertically and then landing on both feet. Lift the leg and make a wide step forward, the other foot should be extended backwards, place your left hand at a 90-degree angle towards the direction you are going and swing up the leg that is extended backwards. The round-off differs from the cartwheel because you will land with both feet together and not apart.