Gymnastic Training in Snowboarding?
There has been a lot of talk about this, both on the forums and on every chairlift ride.
So I thought I would make this thread so people can share their opinions about it.
I only ask that we share our own opinions and don’t get too caught up in what others are saying. Keep it positive 
SO
Does Gymnastic training (tramps etc) have a place in snowboarding?
Is it lame? And if so, why?
Is it necessary for some styles?
Are there alternatives?
I definately think it has its place. Aerial body awerness will greatly improve your riding.
I’d think gymnastics training must surely be useful? I don’t think it’s “necessary”, though - because if it was, every single serious pipe competitor would be doing it, and to the best of my knowledge, they’re not.
Freestyle snowboarding benefits in some areas from the addition of gymnastic elements - but it certainly doesn’t need gymnastics. Incidentally, tramps have been used for freestyle training since the early nineties (perhaps even earlier - but I’ve only been riding since then).
For the most part, I think that many riders are against the fact that the judging of competitive freestyle snowboarding is gradually becoming far too focussed on the gymnastic element above all the other more core aspects of snowboarding - at least that’s the general gist of the talk I hear on the subject.
I also think that a more appropriate/specific term to describe this pervasive influence in freestyle snowboarding is ‘acrobatic’, rather than ‘gymnastic’.
I once spent a day directing a photo shoot with Australian aerial skiing gold medallist, Alisa Camplin. Naturally, we spent the day chatting about all things snow - and I was absolutely horrified to discover that she was a really crap skier. Essentially, she was an expert at hurtling straight down a steep hill, launching off a jump, landing and stopping - but that was about it. She said she never just went skiing for fun the entire time she was competing in aerials!!! Although this kind of robotic specialisation is common in FIS style ski competition, I really don’t want snowboarding to go down that road.
I think it definately has a place! A Youtube search of: /pro rider/ + tramp will usually come up with a training session or something. There’s a local gym that has a tramp setup and I have really been meaning to get down and try it out. There’s a couple of tricks I want to at least attempt this year.
Diving boards are a good alt. Good for hucking on different axis and good for spotting your landing. Very hard to get hurt on the 1 meter.
On a side note… I can see aerials start to fade away after slopestyle starts to get noticed. Aerials are ghey.
My crossfit trainer has started going to a gymnastics gym on Sundays and im going to head down with him. The benefits of, as K2 said, your spacial awareness and spotting landings, getting off axis etc. that gymnastics provide will be nothing but benefical to my riding (not that im doing off axis spins as of yet).
competitive freestyle snowboarding is gradually becoming far too focussed on the gymnastic element above all the other more core aspects of snowboarding
To me, the sport has to evolve or be left behind (like anything). As much as i agree with your above point, its just how it is going to have to be to keep up with other sports.
As impressive as a massive back 1 is*, it doesnt have the same wow factor to the masses/judges as a triple cork 1440, double back flip etc. and as such should be scored lower in a comp.
Pipe riding is basically gymnastics on a board these days. Its simply about getting as high as you can and flipping/rotating as much as possible whilst still maintaining style.
*I replayed that guys back 1 from the Telus festival about 40 times. such an epic jump.
^ Incidentally, he was riding with NOW bindings.
To ensure pipe never actually becomes only “gymnastics on a board”, all that needs to be done is for a reasonable amount of the judging focus to also be on style. Even Shaun White still boosts huge straight airs in pipe comps.
But yeah - it’s all about the “wow factor to the masses” at the moment. Gotta keep the IOC and those corporate sponsors happy.
I have been meaning to get to an adult gymnastics gym near me for some time now but just haven’t done it, I think I’ve mentioned this in a heap of threads prior to this, I really should do it. I only really want to have a crack on the tramp stuff and maybe the spring loaded floor and the vaulting horse. Not sure how the beam, parallel or uneven bars, horse or rings could help with boarding at all in anything other then general fitness and strength.
. . . Not sure how the beam, parallel or uneven bars, horse or rings could help with boarding at all in anything other then general fitness and strength.
True, hence:
I also think that a more appropriate/specific term to describe this pervasive influence in freestyle snowboarding is ‘acrobatic’, rather than ‘gymnastic’.
To ensure pipe never actually becomes only “gymnastics on a board”, all that needs to be done is for a reasonable amount of the judging focus to also be on style. Even Shaun White still boosts huge straight airs in pipe comps.
But yeah - it’s all about the “wow factor to the masses” at the moment. Gotta keep the IOC and those corporate sponsors happy.
Interestingly I agree, which is why I don’t think Shaun White should have got a perfect score at xGames - that to me means that the sport is taking away from the actual snowboarding element.
That they purely judged his ticks not the over all ride.
To ensure pipe never actually becomes only “gymnastics on a board”, all that needs to be done is for a reasonable amount of the judging focus to also be on style. Even Shaun White still boosts huge straight airs in pipe comps.
Which is the problem with FIS running, controlling and judging the olympics. As a skier focused group they have forced requirements for what constitutes “style” resulting in the spin to win philosophy. The FIS created a rule that said you have to have one straight air in your run to make snowboarding look more attainable to kids. This is one of the main reasons Terje boycotted the olympics in the first place. Some might say thats not such a bad rule but snowboarding style is about freedom. This rule came up as a huge problem for Todd Richards on his way into the 2002 Olympics. In one of the final qualifying contests for the US Team he threw down one of the most impressive runs of his time and should have won the contest but because he avoided a straight air got placed much lower and didn’t make the team. Todd didn’t preplan and train for one single pipe run but just threw the tricks that he felt like throwing and was punished for it even though it was the most impressive run of the day.
I have no problem with riders using coaches, trampolines and even steroids if they are doing it for the overall enjoyment of the sport and not just a paycheck. My problem with gymnastics in snowboarding is that gymnastics has exact rules about how to do a flip, rotate your body and place your arms, and these forced rules should never be put into snowboarding in any way.
(Also this is why non snowboarders shouldn’t judge snowboarding because they will need rules and structure to determine difficulty and style)
You and Chucky are going to get along just fine! haha
And to a certain extent i agree with what you are saying.
@ozgirl: To me personally, I think 100 is a relative 100 meaning it’s the best run up to that point. Yea he touched his hands on the wall (even though barely) but he he still did the first dub cork 1260 in the pipe (I think that was the first). Well and his overall run was also a lot better in my opinion than the other riders. He goes huge, way higher than other riders, did a method and also a floaty 540 which means he did use some “style” tricks in his run. I’m not a huge Shaun White fan but I think he still is the best pipe rider (Kazu is still my favorite tho, sickest style).
I once spent a day directing a photo shoot with Australian aerial skiing gold medallist, Alisa Camplin. Naturally, we spent the day chatting about all things snow - and I was absolutely horrified to discover that she was a really crap skier. Essentially, she was an expert at hurtling straight down a steep hill, launching off a jump, landing and stopping - but that was about it. She said she never just went skiing for fun the entire time she was competing in aerials!!! Although this kind of robotic specialisation is common in FIS style ski competition, I really don’t want snowboarding to go down that road.
I think the word “Gymnastics” conjures up thoughts of striking poses and tight lycra pants. Everything that snowboarders hate.
I do tramp training in Jindy when ever I get the chance and it helped me land my first flips… But I call it Tramp Training, not… Gymnastics… it sounds less girly lol. Ridiculous but true.
But when you think about it… Gymnastics is just the old school version of everything that is awesome today. Maybe even the very roots of extreme sports!
My point is, ANYTHING that improves your snowboarding is a good thing, and shouldn’t be looked down upon.
Of course, like some people already said, it’s not necessary to train in the gym to enjoy snowboarding. Even to win competitions.
Flips and other dangerous airs can be honed by hucking yourself into powder, instead of using trampolines.
This is awesome because it means there will always be riders who are the opposite of Chucky’s story. Seriously… what the hell Alisa Camplin??
Personally, the more I explore the different aspects of snowboarding, the more I love it 
Tramp training simply gives me a some hours at night to keep improving my riding. But I think anyone who just tramps and hits one jump over and over again has no idea what they are missing out on.
@ozgirl: To me personally, I think 100 is a relative 100 meaning it’s the best run up to that point. Yea he touched his hands on the wall (even though barely) but he he still did the first dub cork 1260 in the pipe (I think that was the first). Well and his overall run was also a lot better in my opinion than the other riders. He goes huge, way higher than other riders, did a method and also a floaty 540 which means he did use some “style” tricks in his run. I’m not a huge Shaun White fan but I think he still is the best pipe rider (Kazu is still my favorite tho, sickest style).
Being the best pipe rider EVER and even being the best on the day doesn’t mean perfect and a perfect is what a “perfect’ score should be. A flawless run.