The Timeline of an Elite Gymnast

THE AVERAGE TIMELINE OF A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER

10/27/2015

Bailie Key was the youngest gymnast to turn elite - at merely 11 years old.

Slightly off topic from Worlds but still relevant – this post shows the data compiled on the ages every member of both the current Junior and Senior National teams started the sport and the various levels they were at when they were 8 and 11, and when they first transitioned to the elite level. The findings varied immensely, but were very interesting. Take a look!

AGE STARTED GYMNASTICS

Alyssa Baumann - 3 years old
Simone Biles - 6 years old
Nia Dennis - 7 years old
Gabrielle Douglas - 6 years old
Brenna Dowell - 1 year old
Bailie Key - 3 years old
Madison Kocian - 6 years old
Maggie Nichols - 2 years old
Aly Raisman - 2 years old
Kyla Ross - 2 years old
MyKayla Skinner - 3 years old

Jordan Chiles - 6 years old
Christina Desiderio - 6 years old
Jazmyn Foberg - 4 years old
Laurie Hernandez - 5 years old
Sydney Johnson - 3 years old
Ragan Smith - 3 years old

Average Age: 3.778 years

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 8

Highest Possible Level: Level 9

Alyssa Baumann - Level 5 (2006)
Simone Biles - data not available (2005)
Nia Dennis - Level 5 (2007)
Gabby Douglas - Level 4 (2004)
Brenna Dowell - data not available (2004)
Bailie Key - Level 6/7 (2007)
Madison Kocian - Level 5 (2005)
Maggie Nichols - Level 7 (2006)
Aly Raisman - Level 4 (2003)
Kyla Ross - Level 6 (2005)
MyKayla Skinner - Level 6 (2005)

Jordan Chiles - Level 5 (2009)
Christina Desiderio - Level 5 (2008)
Jazmyn Foberg - Level 5 (2008)
Laurie Hernandez - Level 4 (2008)
Sydney Johnson - Pre-Opt. (2008)
Ragan Smith - Pre-Opt. (2008)

Average Level: Level 5

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 11

Highest Possible Level: Junior Elite

Alyssa Baumann - Level 8 (2009)
Simone Biles - Level 9 (2008)
Nia Dennis - Level 9/HOPES Elite (2010)
Gabby Douglas - Level 9 (2007)
Brenna Dowell - Level 8 (2007)
Bailie Key - Level 10/Junior Elite (2010)
Madison Kocian - Level 8 (2008)
Maggie Nichols - Level 10 (2009)
Aly Raisman - Level 8/HOPES Elite (2005)
Kyla Ross - Level 10 (2008)
MyKayla Skinner - Level 8 (2008)

Jordan Chiles - Level 10 (2012)
Christina Desiderio - Level 9 (2011)
Jazmyn Foberg - Level 9 (2011)
Laurie Hernandez - Level 9 (2011)
Sydney Johnson - Level 8 (2011)
Ragan Smith - Level 9 (2011)

Average Level: Level 8

AGE AT FIRST YEAR OF ELITE

Highest Possible Age: 11 years old

Alyssa Baumann - 12 (2010, from L9)
Simone Biles - 14 (2011, from L10)
Nia Dennis - 12 (2011, from L10/Hopes)
Gabby Douglas - 12 (2008, from L10)
Brenna Dowell - 13 (2009, from L10)
Bailie Key - 11 (2010, from L10)
Madison Kocian - 12 (2009, from L9)
Maggie Nichols - 13 (2011, from L10)
Aly Raisman - 15 (2009, from L10/Hopes)
Kyla Ross - 12 (2009, from L10)
MyKayla Skinner - 12 (2009, from L10)

Jordan Chiles - 12 (2013, from L10)
Christina Desiderio - 13 (2013, from L10)
Jazmyn Foberg - 13 (2013, from L10)
Laurie Hernandez - 12 (2012, from L10)
Sydney Johnson - 13 (2013, from L10)

Average Age: 12.56 years

So you see, gymnasts can come from any age and level and make a splash on the National elite scene. However, if you have a daughter who has just turned 3 and you feel she is suitable for gymnastics, now is probably your best chance to enroll her in classes – IF you want her to go down the elite pathway! I hope this post has given you exposure, and you've taken away some cool new knowledge!

An article by Kaitlyn, the Editor-in-Chief.

40 Comments

10/28/2015 09:43:32 am

Great data, but FYI to all you mommies out there, your dd probably won't be an elite gymnast, no matter how special she is or how talented you think she is. Focus on progress and the numerous values of competitive gymnastics, and understand that elite gymnastics and the Olympics is an unattainable goal that should not even be discussed in your home.

10/28/2015 11:31:00 am

Wow! That is a bold statement. While I agree with you that not every athlete, in fact most of the athletes that compete in the sport, will not make it to the Olympics. It is unfair to say it in unattainable and that athletes should not dream of the possibilities that hard work could one day pay off. I am certainly glad that the current Olympians parents did not tell them the goal was unattainable. The goal for all parents of athletes should be to let your athlete dream and learn good things happen when you work hard. It is important to set proper and realistic expectations along the way but to outright say "don't try because it's unattainable" is just wrong.

LaShawn

2/19/2017 01:12:03 am

I just read this to get an idea of the more advanced form of this sport and I totalky agree with DH! No matter what the sport or goal in life, no one should give upnon their dream or at least explore the possibilities!! Dream big and work hard!!

Vic Munoz

12/17/2016 12:46:08 am

As a gymnastics/tumbling coach myself this is the worst advice you could give! I'm not sure if maybe your child tried and didn't make it and you had to go through that heart ach but you couldn't be more wrong! Even if a child doesn't make it to the Olympics, there is college gymnastics that have full scholarships, even a career in coaching! You really should learn to be more positive or your life will never be a happy one!

Sara Marotto

10/29/2017 11:16:54 pm

You know that's just a mean response. Why put down mothers that actually do something for their kids? My granddaughter competes and yes everyone talks up their own child. But I tell you what, my little one had a massive crash and burn on the vault, she missed the spring board rebounded basically off the ground front handstand onto her back on the vault. Her coach saw what was happenning and stopped her from flying off the top of the vault. Long story short she was fighting back tears and pain and the whole crowd, yes All the moms and dads started cheering her on. My gd did her best effort and managed to work through that moment. But she didn't talk afterwards about placing third, which was wonderful, what she talked about was all those parents cheering for her and how that helped her so much. My kid placed 1st in beam and 1st in floor and 1st all around, but the most powerful moment for her was that space between terror and embarrassment when other parents helped her. That's gymnastics and the community we have. I have done the same for other girls when they have fallen, it's just humbling to be on the receiving end and we are grateful.

11/8/2017 03:30:59 pm

That is the worst attitude to take. Shooting for the stars and missing is fine but not taking the shot is sad. With that attitude, you will lose before you start.

Peter

1/17/2018 08:45:59 pm

while you're at it, do you also tell your kids that they'll probably never make much money, statistically they won't have a happy marriage, and they will probably die in an underfunded old peoples home that their children will never visit in a country ravaged by economical and environmental crisis?

i mean, if you're going to "keep it real", why not do it right?

Lisa Grace link

2/14/2018 02:08:41 pm

Telling a child that they will fail or limiting them is absurd. This didn't need to be addressed. I believe most "Mommies" that start their kids out young and consistent have educated themselves well enough to be aware of this. So, how did the elite or Olympians evolve? Your statement contradicts itself. Cheers!

Jenna link

8/11/2018 01:13:42 pm

YOUR RUDE

2/4/2019 06:12:57 pm

*you're

Allen

8/17/2018 02:14:08 am

Imagine if Gabby Douglas's Mother had said that. We never would have heard ofmher.

Lindsey

1/6/2019 04:52:17 am

It is wrong to say it is an unattainable goal and that it should not even be discussed in anyone’s home. We should tell our children that they can do anything they set their minds to and that they should never give up. I do agree that not everyone is going to make it to the olympics and in fact very few are going to, but it is most definitely not an unattainable goal obviously or people would not be doing it. If your children have dreams do going to the olympics then us as parents should do everything we can to make tha dream as real as it can be for them.

Carol Piwonka

10/28/2015 09:44:42 pm

My Granddaughter is 10 yrs old. She will be trying for Elite this yr. She is very determined to go to the top. She just loves gymnastics, she wants new tricks. Very determined.

Admin link

10/29/2015 04:40:36 am

Wow, that is fantastic!

I wish her all the very best in her all her future gymnastics endeavours, whatever level she may be at!

API

4/16/2016 12:40:19 pm

I agree that it doesn't matter what age a child begins, it's all about maturity, natural ability combined with determination, strength, genetics, circumstance, and coaching. My daughter started a year ago and is now 8. We knew nothing about the sport so she competed 7 meets in the Xcel program and when she started writing down goals of becoming an Elite gymnast, I did research and switched her to J.O. program. She currently has 18 months total training and is competing both required Levels 4 & 5 this fall. She has surpassed all kids her age (she has been around thus far) has all of her Level 7 skills (minus the uneven bars) and works harder with each day. It's all about the individual. :)

Rebecca Gingerich

8/13/2018 06:27:37 pm

Could you please help me out with how you did this? My daughter has been doing Gymnastics for a year and has almost all her level 5 skills (Competing 5 this year.) And I do not have a clue about any of this. Her goal is to be Elite.

Thank you!

Rob Swift

11/28/2016 03:25:55 pm

Quick question my daughter is 9 currently in level 3 at her gym . She has been approached to join the elite team . She would be takenout of school early and practice everyday 1-6 . I am alarmed at the missing school and social aspect with her peers . But what conserns should I have in aspect to the gymnastics world ?

12/17/2016 12:43:33 am

Go for it! It's the same as homeschooling which is what our son does and it's recommended that children do not need a full 8 hour school day! If your daughter really wants this and realize what she is getting into, then your should support her 100% !!! As a gymnastics/tumbling coach I see how the parents who support their kids in chasing their dreams benefit in so many ways! Good luck!

Joe Smth

7/15/2017 04:04:59 pm

I would concern myself about someone approaching a level 3 gymnast about being an elite way way to young to think about elite

Simone Biles

3/10/2017 10:00:33 am

i dont know

5/3/2017 01:26:34 pm

I like chairs

Marina

3/15/2018 10:04:37 am

Y u acting like u 2

E link

3/16/2017 08:57:23 pm

I am 12 years old and started gymnastics about 1-2 months ago and I am now training 3-4 do you think I could ever compete?

yep

5/3/2017 01:27:00 pm

you can do it

Joe Smith

7/15/2017 04:02:32 pm

Not a chance way to old to be level 3

7/21/2017 03:55:36 pm

No way too old- no such thing! My daughter started rec at 13 and is now training level 7 at 15. College is likely out, as is the Olympics, but anyone can compete with the right attitude, work ethic, and gym support.

stella link

12/20/2018 02:35:25 pm

ew nobody’s ever too old to do what they love

celeste

10/3/2017 07:02:11 pm

yes as long as you practice 24/7 you can make it and do anything you set your mind to your always going to have haters or people that will say they are better than you because they are in a higher level than you or they are more flexible or they practice 24/7 and you dont i know that happen to me and i thought there lie was true but i was not

5/3/2017 01:20:29 pm

5/3/2017 01:23:49 pm

hello
this
is
a
good
website

I dont even know my name

5/3/2017 01:23:30 pm

I like things

h link

5/27/2017 02:01:56 pm

Emani link

6/15/2017 09:18:43 pm

Good

bri

10/3/2017 06:55:56 pm

if you started at 12 you can get to level 7 by the age 14 just need to love it and be there 24/7 summer, everyday after school

Claire

11/2/2017 11:04:38 pm

My daughter is 4 years old, her coach recently encouraged us to sign her up for their pre team. I'm new at this sport, so I'm not familiar with how far this will take her in the future. Any advice ?

Kyler link

11/21/2017 08:29:38 pm

I'm not surprised that Simone Biles was a level 9 by the time she was 11 years old. She has one of the best beam dismounts, double BHS, full out. Which is two flips with a full twist.

Emily

12/26/2017 12:24:30 am

Is it bad that I’m 12 years old in level 5 and I have mental blocks? Should I be worrying about the fact that I know a 12 year old in level 8 at the same gym?

1/30/2018 10:36:24 pm

No you shouldn’t , I’m 11 and a level 5 gymnast and my dream is to go to the olympics for 2028 , I know many girls my age that are better than me and that doesn’t bother me because we all start at different ages, so don’t be worried about people being better than you you can move at your own pace , I’m sure your a great gymnast and don’t worry about others. And we all get mental blocks but we all get over it at some point.

Serenity

2/13/2018 01:01:14 pm

I don’t believe in age limits! Everyday someone constantly is surpassing them in everything they do. As someone who started older I don’t agree with these age restrictions put on older kids, older teens and young adults. It’s unfair to say that because a kid didn’t realize what they wanted to be at age 4 they don’t have a shot at the Olympics because they realized it closer to their later teens and early adult years. I believe the only restrictions are mental and yes I’ll agree their might be some people who may have body restrictions that cause them to not be able to learn certain skills. Another thing to add is that Simone Biles was a foster child and discovered at 6 with a daycare group who’s original plan was to go to the farm that day but went to the gym as back up because of the rain. Things happen for a reason.. if you were accepted into competitive at an older age you still have a shot! No matter what anyone says if your body is in good shape and your healthy and you’re willing to not have much of a social life then you have a shot. I’m 19 and I got accepted at 18 into a competitive group, I’m an accelerated learner and I can pick up a skill in a day or at most a few weeks. I may be older but I’m determined, I work hard until my rips have rips and my back of my leg from bars looks beat up. I believe it’s your mindset and if you are like me a young adult with a body that’s still young and able I believe any of it’s possible...even the Olympics or college Gymnastics. The people on here that put other people down are jealous or have a very skewed view on how Gymnastics is. If you work hard you’ll achieve results, if you can still do weight lifting and other sports or go to the gym you can still do gymnastics. I don’t care to believe in negative responses and when I see these comments I just don’t understand how people can be so mean to other people. I believe that they at least deserve a shot at the sport even if they don’t make it all the way because they gave up when it got tough. It’s up to you! Everyone even models have obstacles and people constantly telling them to get out of the business because they aren’t good enough. If you look within and work hard and stay healthy you can and will do it! I don’t care what the other comments say!

3/25/2018 02:14:11 pm

My daughter is 12 and she is level 6. How are her chances to get gymnastics scholarship or go to Olympics

THE NEWS CENTRE

THE AVERAGE TIMELINE OF A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER

AGE STARTED GYMNASTICS

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 8

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 11

AGE AT FIRST YEAR OF ELITE

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