Athletic Lab Gymnastics August Workshop

Athletic Lab is excited to announce their third monthly Gymnastics Skills Workshop. The workshop is open to both members and the general public. Taking place on Sunday, August 2nd from 10:00–11:00 AM, this session is designed to build foundational strength, control, and confidence in key gymnastics movements that transfer directly to athletic performance. Led by Athletic Lab's Renee Perkins, the workshop will allow attendees to continue developing gymnastics skills through hand balancing, muscle-up progressions, body positioning, and gymnastics-specific conditioning. This workshop will emphasize scapular control, hip mobility, and body awareness. Gymnastics-based training integrates multiple muscle groups into coordinated movement, rather than isolating muscles. Using bodyweight movements, you'll improve coordination and control, helping you build a stronger foundation that transfers to the weight room and supports progression toward more advanced gymnastics skills. Open to all skill levels, with modifications and progressions provided throughout the workshop. The session begins with a structured general warm-up focusing on wrist, scapular, hip, and ankle preparation, followed by progressive skill development and strength work in each area. This workshop is ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve upper body strength, coordination, and body control in a structured, coach-led environment. No prior gymnastics experience is required. Cost: $5 for Athletic Lab members $20 for non-members Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your place early.

By |2026-07-21T09:16:55-04:00July 21st, 2026|News|0 Comments

Athletic Lab Gymnastics June Workshop

Athletic Lab is excited to announce a special Gymnastics Skills Workshop open to both members and the general public. Taking place on Sunday, June 28th from 10:00–11:00 AM, this introductory session is designed to build foundational strength, control, and confidence in key gymnastics movements that transfer directly to athletic performance. Led by Athletic Lab's Renee Perkins, the workshop will cover three primary areas: The workshop will introduce foundational gymnastics concepts, exploring rolls, handstands, and muscle-up variations, while learning key principles of body positioning and awareness through progressive drills to help you understand how to move and control your body in space. The session begins with a structured general warm-up focusing on wrist, scapular, hip, and ankle preparation, followed by progressive skill development and strength work in each area. This workshop is ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve upper body strength, coordination, and body control in a structured, coach-led environment. No prior gymnastics experience is required. Cost: $5 for Athletic Lab members $20 for non-members If interest is high, we plan to expand this into a series of deeper-dive workshops focused on specific skills such as hand balancing or muscle-ups. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your place early.

By |2026-07-07T19:23:31-04:00June 22nd, 2026|News|0 Comments

Athletic Lab Gymnastics Workshop

Athletic Lab is excited to announce a special Gymnastics Skills Workshop open to both members and the general public. Taking place on Saturday, May 24 from 10:00–11:00 AM, this introductory session is designed to build foundational strength, control, and confidence in key gymnastics movements that transfer directly to athletic performance. Led by Athletic Lab's Renee Perkins, the workshop will cover three primary areas: Handstands & Inversions: Athletes will learn proper kick-up mechanics, balance strategies, and safe exit techniques including cartwheels, pirouettes, and forward rolls. Muscle-Up Progressions: A breakdown of technical and strength components including scapular control, pulling mechanics, and support strength. Foundational Gymnastics Strength & Mobility: Targeted drills such as skin-the-cat variations, bar support holds, and positional core work (hollow, brace, superman). The session begins with a structured general warm-up focusing on wrist, scapular, hip, and ankle preparation, followed by progressive skill development and strength work in each area. This workshop is ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to improve upper body strength, coordination, and body control in a structured, coach-led environment. No prior gymnastics experience is required. Cost: $5 for Athletic Lab members $20 for non-members If interest is high, we plan to expand this into a series of deeper-dive workshops focused on specific skills such as hand balancing or muscle-ups. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your place early.

By |2026-05-14T16:23:44-04:00May 11th, 2026|News|0 Comments

Fine Motor Development for Sport Performance by Tony Kauth

[Tony is currently a senior studying Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an Applied Sport Science Intern at Athletic Lab.] To develop fine motor movements, serious dedication needs to take place. It is important to understand the benefits of developing this key mechanism in sport performance. To do so, there are general and specific exercises that an athlete can do. While the process of developing fine motor movements can seem daunting, let's explore why it can be beneficial, and some methods to improve it in the most efficient manner. Performance Potential: Since fine motor development increases the precision of movement, its benefit to sport performance can be enormous. In sports where stability is of benefit, fine motor development can not only help a gymnast stay steady, but it can also help a tactical athlete redirect force more rapidly. In sports where maximal force production is of benefit, fine motor development can help an Olympic weightlifter direct that force in the most linear and efficient manner. Even in aerobic endurance sports, fine motor development can help a distance runner more efficiently strike the ground which uses less energy that they can store for later in their event. All in all, improving fine motor development reduces wasted motion. Utilization in Training: While it may be attractive to attempt to develop technical, fine motor movements early, it's important to understand the limitations of doing so. In the spectrum of motor development, gross motor development is the first that is developed, and fine, especially those related to sport-specific skills, develop last (O Connor, 2000). Since gross motor development occurs first, an athlete must create a nearly autonomous system of gross movements (i.e. "the basics") [...]

By |2017-09-05T11:11:42-04:00September 5th, 2017|Training Info|0 Comments

Gymnastic Rings Skills Workshop

Join Athletic Lab coach Greg Gustin for his skills workshop on the gymnastic rings. This workshop will give attendees the opportunity to learn the basics of muscle-ups, levers, hangs, and rolls. With this 90 minute workshop, you will learn and practice progressions of skills and strength moves on gymnastic rings. You will develop strength, stability, and coordination. It is recommended that attendees be capable of a minimum of 5 strict pull ups. We're limiting this workshop to 15 people so sign up today. Our previous workshop sold out well in advance. When: Sunday, March 12th 11am ? 12:30pm Cost: $10 members, $15 non-members Register NOW!  

By |2017-04-12T19:27:09-04:00February 28th, 2017|News|0 Comments

Ring Training by Brandon Hooks

[This is a guest blog from Brandon Hooks. Brandon is a senior at Ferrum College pursuing his degree in Health and Human Performance. Brandon is participating in the coaching mentorship program at Athletic Lab.] The 2016 Summer Olympics will bring about a renewed interest in Gymnastics. The US Women's gymnastics team is expected to excel and is comprised of some of the fittest athletes in the world. Elite gymnasts are superior athletes and thus sparked my interest in the benefits of gymnastic ring exercises. However, rings exercise is not just for gymnasts. These rings are increasing in popularity in gyms as people search for the best total body workouts. Are gymnastic rings the new innovative way to building strength? Gymnastics rings are a functional training tool that builds upper body. In the article, "Effects of suspension training and growth hormone axis". (1) Researchers conclude from data collected that indicated a suspension training workout using the recommended 30 sec: 60 sec work:rest ratio is sufficient to stimulate the GH axis in recreationally active young adult males. Practical Applications: evidence supports the use of suspension training as a stimulus for anabolic hormone release, suggesting this is a viable alternative to traditional resistance training for stimulating the anabolic hormones that support recovery and muscle growth. In the article, "Anabolic Hormonal Responses to an Acute Bout of Suspension Training" written by T.P Scheett (2) indicates workouts using 30 sec work and rest intervals, 45 or 60 sec work and 30 or 45 sec rest intervals may likely result in more robust hormonal responses. The data from this study supports the use of suspension training exercise as a viable alternative mode of exercise to traditional resistance training. Suspension training exercise [...]

By |2017-04-12T19:30:51-04:00August 12th, 2016|Training Info|1 Comment

Nicole Webb places 2nd at Eastern Nationals

Athletic Lab athlete and gymnast, Nicole Webb placed 2nd in the all-around at Eastern Nationals in Bradenton, Florida this past weekend. Nicole finished with a 37.600 in the Junior 6 session. She placed 1st in the balance beam, 3rd in the floor exercise, 5th on the uneven bars, and 8th on vault.

By |2014-05-05T09:09:52-04:00May 5th, 2014|News|1 Comment
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