“I want to inspire…show there can be longevity in gymnastics” – new Jenny Hansen Interview

Yes, we’ll just admit it now. We are her biggest fans. I mean, how can you not love her? Try, we dare you!

…”My ultimate goal would be to make the Olympics but I really want to remind everyone the sport brings so many opportunities. I want to inspire people and show there can be longevity in gymnastics. It should be fun regardless if you compete internationally or just learn a back tuck again. Staying healthy is also one of my top priorities.”

“Which skill came back the quickest? Which was the hardest? … Ironically, the skills I’ve never done were easier to do- like Arabian double fronts. It sounds odd, but because I’d never done them before I didn’t have any bad habits to break and I could visualize the trick in my head. Cast handstands on bars were one of the hardest things to get back.”

Read more of Amy Van Deusen’s interview with 38 year-old gymnast, Hansen 

Hansen posts often and communicates directly with her supporters on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can support her by contributing to her training fund.

Cyber Monday: Here’s what to get your favorite Adult Gymnast for the Holidays

1. Flattering Leotards: Try dance leos; the dance industry has been making leotards for adult performers for a looooong time. They have many varieties of flattering shapes and construction materials (e.g. not shinny)  for adult figures.

2. Kinesio Tape – a fantastic invention only known in Japan and then to Athletic Trainers for many years and it’s now available to the public. However, you need to know how to tape for your specific issue and which tape to use, but once you’ve tried it you’ll be an instant fan. There are a few how-to videos on their  YouTube Channel.

3. Fix Your Technique – with the Open Shoulder Trainer from Tumbletrak or get a conditioning and technique workout DVD from the best in the business;  Tammy Biggs has Conditioning, Shaping & Flex with Sliders or Jay Thornton’s GymAbStics Total Body Fitness

4. The best sports bra EVER INVENTED! For B’s and above the Champion’s Powerback Underwire Sports Bra is fantastic. It gives you the flattering form of a Victoria Secret T-Shirt bra while providing jog-worthy compression, all without suffocation, spillage or an ugly straight line across your chest. It even snaps in the back so that you won’t dislocate your shoulders trying to take it off.

5. Tiger Paws to support cranky wrists. You can also buy a single paw for that wrist that refuses to heal from the time you did 100 back handsprings in a row on beam when you were 12. They even come in sassy colors and prints in case you want to walk on your hands at the club. Holla!