How Gymnastics Is Safer Than Ever: Equipment and Athlete Protection for Parents

How MGA Gymnastics Keeps Kids Safe

In the last decade, gymnastics has transformed to provide your child with a safer and more positive experience. At MGA Gymnastics, we take these improvements seriously—updating our equipment, facilities, and policies to keep kids safe at every step.

1. Facility & Equipment Improvements

• Vault: We use the latest, wider, and padded vaulting tables—no more old “vaulting horse.” This safer design helps prevent dangerous falls and injuries.
• Uneven Bars & High Bar: Our bars are made from flexible fiberglass (not rigid wood) and are spaced farther apart, making advanced moves safer. Grips and bar surfaces are modernized to protect hands.
• Balance Beam: MGA’s beams are padded, slightly wider, and covered with non-slip surfaces—so gymnasts can try new skills with confidence and less risk.
• Floor Exercise: We train and compete on spring floors with advanced padding that cushions hard landings, making tumbling much safer.
• Landing Mats & Foam Pits: All landing mats at MGA are thick and shock-absorbing. Our foam pits let gymnasts learn new flips and landings in the safest way.
• Other Apparatus: From pommel horse to rings and parallel bars, our equipment uses the latest grips, ergonomic handles, and padding—minimizing risks from blisters or strain.
• Rhythmic Gymnastics Gear: Equipment (hoops, balls, ribbons) is now lighter and designed for safe catching—perfect for kids at all levels.

2. Stronger Athlete Protection Rules at MGA Gymnastics

• SafeSport & Oversight: MGA strictly follows SafeSport and USA Gymnastics guidelines. All coaches and staff pass extensive background checks, and we report any concerns immediately.
  — U.S. Center for SafeSport
  — USA Gymnastics Safety & Response Policy
• Clear Boundaries and Communication:
  • Never Alone: Coaches are never alone with an athlete. All meetings and lessons are observable and in public spaces.
  • Group Communication: All electronic communications between coaches and gymnasts include a parent or responsible adult.
  • No Contact for the Banned: Anyone with a history of abuse or who is banned is not allowed on MGA premises.
• Required Training and Education:
  • Every MGA staff member completes annual SafeSport training.
  • We provide resources to help parents and kids spot and report unsafe behavior.
• Athlete Power & Reporting:
  • MGA gymnasts have a say in shaping our programs and rules.
  • We embrace the Athlete Bill of Rights and make it easy to report concerns—anonymously, at any time.
  • — Parent & Guardian Handbook by SafeSport
• Safer Facilities & Events:
  • Security cameras are used in common areas for safety.
  • For travel or events, strict “never alone” policies mean athletes are not left with a single adult, and parents are regularly updated.
• Broader Protection:
  • We take emotional, verbal, and physical misconduct seriously—bullying and harassment are strictly not allowed, and every concern is actioned right away.

What Does This Mean for Your Family at MGA Gymnastics?

Because of modern equipment and these strong rules, your child can enjoy gymnastics in a setting that is fun, empowering, and safe. We invite you to ask questions, review our policies, and be active members of our gymnastics family.

For more information, check these resources:

• MGA Gymnastics
• USA Gymnastics Parents’ Page
• U.S. Center for SafeSport Parent Resources
• USA Gymnastics Safe Sport Policy (PDF)
• Parent and Guardian's Handbook – SafeSport

Together, we can help every child flip, learn, and shine--safely!

References

1. https://usagym.org/safety/parents/
2. https://maapp.uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Gymnastics_-Policy-Final_Approved-12.15.21.pdf
3. https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_Apparatus%20Norms.pdf
4. https://kidshealth.org/HumanaLouisiana/en/parents/safety-gymnastics.html
5. https://uscenterforsafesport.org/parents/
6. https://naigc.org/wp-content/uploads/NAIGC-Safety-Equipment-Standards.pdf
7. https://www.mgagymnastics.com

Meaning Over Medals: What Coaching Gymnastics Taught Me About Purpose

By Coach Brian Keith Shrewsbury

Leading psychiatrist and public intellectual Dr. Jordan Peterson draws a sharp distinction between happiness and meaning in life. He maintains that happiness is a fleeting, unreliable pursuit, whereas a meaningful life—built on responsibility and the pursuit of higher aims—is the genuine antidote to suffering. “True fulfillment,” Peterson asserts, “comes from embracing life’s burdens and standing up to chaos.”^[1]

As both a father and a coach, I witness firsthand the struggles young people face in their search for belonging and significance. Over the years, coaching gymnastics to children and raising seven of my own, I've repeatedly seen young athletes wrestle with their sense of purpose—even within the structured arena of competition. Many arrive with dreams of stardom, driven by their own ambitions or by parents eager for tangible success, such as medals or college scholarships. Yet, amid all that goal-setting, the deeper question often gets lost: What is this child truly seeking? What do they genuinely want to achieve?

Athletes need more than a rigorous training plan or an all-or-nothing mentality. They need to feel welcomed by their teammates and supported by their community. In gymnastics, as in life, group dynamics profoundly influence individual progress. Forcing every athlete along a single predetermined path—prioritizing victory over individuality—almost always yields frustration or defeat. Each athlete must be given the space to discover their style of work, to set goals that challenge their own potential and not merely to outpace their peers. The real marker of growth isn't becoming the “best in the world,” but striving every day to be the best in their world.

I hear it often from my athletes—primarily boys—that their bodies ache, they’re tired, and that sometimes they want to quit. Occasionally, I’ll joke, “You can stop when the blood reaches your elbow,” but I mean this as a nudge toward resilience, not recklessness. The true lesson is about enduring hardship and emerging stronger, not about enduring unreasonable pain or meeting others’ unrealistic expectations. Growth comes from working through discomfort under the guidance of a coach who listens, sets achievable goals, and recognizes when it’s time to rest and regroup. Adversity makes us stronger, but only when navigated wisely and compassionately.

Gymnastics, perhaps more than many sports, demands an intimate knowledge of one's limits—physical, emotional, and mental. As a coach, it is my responsibility to watch for cues: when an athlete’s focus wanes, when emotions are in turmoil, or when fatigue threatens safety. Open and honest communication becomes critical, ensuring each athlete is fully present and mentally prepared for the challenges they face.

There are also days of joy in the gym—moments when new skills are mastered and friendships flourish. On those days, the fun and camaraderie remind us why we joined in the first place. But, equally, the struggles and setbacks are invaluable. They’re not obstacles to be avoided, but opportunities to build character, resilience, and, yes, meaning.

The lessons learned in sports reach far beyond the gym walls: determination, perseverance, purposeful struggle, and the support of a caring community all translate to real-world success. I encourage my gymnasts to set personal goals, not simply to fulfill my expectations or the team’s objectives, but to discover what truly motivates them. When athletes support one another—celebrating victories, offering encouragement through defeats, and fostering genuine camaraderie—they grow not just as competitors but as human beings.

Pain and failure are real in gymnastics. Hands will rip, bodies will ache, and hearts will sometimes break. Defeat is part of the process, and rest is essential. Yet, after recovery, growth is found in returning to the mat—renewed, recalibrated, ready to try again. In this sense, failing is not just acceptable; it's necessary. Most skills take thousands of repetitions to master. Few will stand on the Olympic podium, but countless champions are forged daily in gyms everywhere—champions over fear, setbacks, and self-doubt.

Ultimately, medals will tarnish and trophies will gather dust, but character—honed through adversity, determination, and mutual support—endures. That is the real prize: strong young people prepared not just for competition, but for life. The achievements and heartbreaks experienced inside the gym travel far beyond those four walls, shaping who these young athletes will become as adults, friends, leaders, and citizens.

Winning matters, of course, but how we win matters even more. There is no single path to victory, nor is there one definition of success. The moments of triumph are precious, yet the daily act of overcoming struggle—of becoming just a little stronger each day—matters just as much, perhaps more.

At MGA Gymnastics, for over sixty years, we have believed that the greatest champions are those who master not just the sport, but themselves. Every athlete deserves the opportunity to discover their purpose, to struggle with support, and to experience the meaning that comes from relentless personal growth. That, above all, is the legacy I hope to pass on.

Boys Are Not Broken

Boys are not broken, nor are they inherently disobedient. Most do not have ADHD, and it is vital to recognize that their energetic and spirited nature is a natural expression of who they are. Boys are fueled by testosterone, and this often means they need to move—running, climbing, and expending energy for hours each day. Such activity is essential not only for their physical well-being but also for developing strength, resilience, and confidence.

Modern Expectations and Boys' Needs

Many current systems and expectations in schools and society encourage boys to be still, quiet, and obedient for extended periods. There is often an implicit pressure for boys to behave in ways similar to girls, disregarding the meaningful differences between them. These differences are not about being better or worse, but simply reflect the unique qualities that boys and girls each bring to the world.

Celebrating Boys for Who They Are

Just as we nurture and celebrate the authenticity of little girls, we must also value boys for who they are. It’s essential to allow boys the freedom to flourish, learning and growing in ways that support their mental, physical, and emotional development.

Letting Boys Be Boys

Honoring boys’ natural inclinations may require us to adjust our expectations and even revisit some traditional norms that have supported their growth throughout history. By celebrating their energy, curiosity, and drive, we empower boys to grow into strong, resilient men—while still encouraging kindness, respect, and emotional intelligence.

Ultimately, every child deserves the space to be their truest self, and boys are no exception. Let's create environments where boys feel free to grow, play, and thrive as themselves.