Episode 176 – Fueled Gymnast Fall: Are so many gymnasts really underfueled?

Welcome to Fueled Gymnast Fall, a podcast series on what you need to know about fueling your gymnast as we move into this next competitive season. And on today’s episode, we’re diving right in with the question, “Are so many gymnasts really underfueled?”

Yes, yes they are… 

Why do parents and coaches not believe us? Maybe it’s because we are so conditioned to seeing “teeny, tiny pre-pubescents gymnasts” especially at the upper levels that we assume this is normal.  So many parents and coaches assume they can tell whether a gymnast is getting enough fuel just by looking at her. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. You can’t “look” at a gymnast and know if she’s underfueled. 

Gymnasts are some of the toughest athletes out there. They push through pain, fatigue, and injuries that would sideline most others. And because of that, we often mistake symptoms of underfueling as “just part of the sport.” Let’s unpack why this mindset needs to change and how to start recognizing when a gymnast really is underfueled. 

In this episode you’ll hear about:  

• Understanding what underfueling really looks like 
• How inconsistency (skipping meals, uneven fueling, post-practice exhaustion) contributes to underfueling and disrupts recovery
•  When it’s time to seek help and solutions

 Links & Resources  

• Episode 04: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport and Gymnastics
• Episode 64: Is your gymnast overtrained or underfueled?
• The Balanced Gymnast® Program for level 5-10 female gymnasts 
• Connect with Christina on Instagram @the.gymnast.nutritionist or christinaandersonrdn.com