Kensington & Chelsea Gymnastics Academy

💙 HOW MUCH PROTEIN DOES A GROWING GYMNAST ACTUALLY NEED?

Protein is everywhere in sport.

Protein yoghurts. Protein bars. Protein shakes. High-protein snacks. And increasingly, these messages reach parents and children too.

But children are not small adults — and more protein does not automatically mean better growth, stronger muscles or better gymnastics.

This is a subject particularly close to the foundations of KCGA.

Our Director, Dr Stefan Kolimechkov, completed his first PhD researching nutrition and physical fitness in primary-school children involved in gymnastics. That academic work, together with years of coaching children, provides the background for the latest Food, Growth & Gymnastics chapter of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine.

📖 Protein: Building the Growing Body

Inside, we explain:

• why children need protein for far more than muscle
• how much protein growing children actually need
• why young athletes may sometimes need more
• which everyday foods provide it
• why higher reported intakes do not automatically mean higher requirements
• and why ordinary family food is usually enough

Perhaps the most important message?

Protein helps build and renew the whole growing body — not only muscles.

And children do not need one “perfect” protein food. A varied diet can provide protein alongside the carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and fibre that growing bodies also need.

This is nutrition without hype, supplements or adult fitness culture — explained from the evidence and written specifically for families.

🔗 Read the full illustrated chapter through the link in our bio.

Kensington Gymnastics Magazine · Issue 3
London’s Family Gymnastics Guide

💙 THE CORE IS NOT JUST YOUR ABS.

In gymnastics, the core is a coordinated system of muscles working together to stabilise the trunk, control body shape and connect the upper and lower body.

Swipe through ➡️ to look beneath the surface.

You’ll meet some of the muscles doing the work — including the re**us abdominis, obliques, transversus abdominis and erector spinae — and see why gymnastics shapes such as hollow, straight and arch require much more than simply “tightening your abs”.

🤸‍♀️ A strong gymnast doesn’t just have a strong core.

They learn how to organise it.

Explore the full illustrated Gymnastics Anatomy: The Core chapter from Kensington Gymnastics Magazine Issue 3 through the link in our bio.

London’s Family Gymnastics Guide

🤸‍♀️ What does a “strong core” actually mean in gymnastics?

It’s much more than strong abdominal muscles.

In the Gymnastics Anatomy chapter of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine Issue 3, we look beneath the surface to explain how the muscles around the trunk work together to create stability, body control and efficient movement.

From the re**us abdominis and obliques to the deeper transversus abdominis and muscles supporting the spine, we explain the anatomy in clear language for families — and show how it connects to three fundamental gymnastics positions: hollow, straight and arch.

Because when a gymnast learns to control their core, they are not simply getting “stronger”. They are learning how to organise the whole body.

💙 Explore the illustrated Gymnastics Anatomy: The Core chapter at the link below.

🔗 https://kensington-gymnastics.uk/magazine/issue-3-gymnastics-anatomy-the-core/

Kensington Gymnastics Magazine · Issue 3
London’s Family Gymnastics Guide

💙 Meet Chelsea! 🤸‍♀️

If you’ve explored Issue 3 of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine, you may already have spotted a new face…

This is Chelsea — our illustrated young gymnast and guide, created to help children and families explore the world of gymnastics in a friendly and engaging way.

Chelsea will appear throughout the magazine to introduce ideas, explain gymnastics concepts and encourage young readers to stay curious about the sport.

She represents something important to us: gymnastics education should be clear, welcoming and enjoyable for children, while always remaining grounded in good coaching and responsible guidance.

And her name? Well… for a magazine created here in Kensington & Chelsea, we think she fits in rather nicely. 💙

👋 Meet Chelsea and discover more about her on the KCGA website.

From Kensington Gymnastics Magazine · Issue 3
London’s Family Gymnastics Guide

What may gymnastics do for the growing brain? 🤸‍♀️🧠

When we think about children’s gymnastics, we often think first about the things we can see — balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and new skills.

But some of the benefits may be less visible.

In the Feature article from Issue 3 of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine, we explore research examining recreational gymnastics and executive function in young children — including attention, self-control, remembering instructions and adapting to changing demands.

The article looks carefully at what the research found, what it does not prove, and what the findings may mean for families with children aged 4–11.

Because gymnastics is not simply about learning cartwheels and handstands. A well-structured class asks children to listen, remember, wait, coordinate, adjust, respond to feedback and keep trying when something is difficult.

📖 What Gymnastics May Do for the Growing Brain

Read the full Feature article on the KCGA website at the link below.

From Kensington Gymnastics Magazine · Issue 3
London’s Family Gymnastics Guide

Gymnastics And The Growing Brain: What Research Suggests What can gymnastics do for a child’s growing brain? Explore research on attention, self-control, working memory and flexible thinking in young children.

What supports a child’s gymnastics journey? 🤸‍♀️

Issue 3 of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine looks beyond the skills we can see — and explores some of the less visible things that shape how children learn, move and develop.

Inside this issue, we explore the growing brain and what research can really tell us about gymnastics and executive function; the core and how it helps the body create stability and control; protein and its role in a growing child’s diet; and why sleep is such an important part of recovery, learning and development.

We also look beyond the gym itself — mapping access to gymnastics across London and exploring how children begin the sport in different parts of the world.

And for families wanting to understand gymnastics more clearly, we explain the basic body shapes behind so many skills, answer questions about practising gymnastics at home, and challenge some familiar myths about progress and ability.

All brought together through the perspective of London’s Family Gymnastics Guide.

📖 Read Issue 3 of Kensington Gymnastics Magazine on the KCGA website.

🌍 Why do some countries become gymnastics superpowers?

When we watch the Olympic Games or the World Championships, the same countries often seem to appear again and again. But is it simply because they have “better” gymnasts?

Not quite.

In our latest article from Kensington Gymnastics Magazine – Issue 2, we explore how history, culture, coaching, facilities and opportunity have shaped some of the world’s most successful gymnastics nations.

From 🇺🇸 the United States and 🇯🇵 Japan, to 🇨🇳 China, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 the former Soviet system and 🇬🇧 Great Britain, we look beyond medals to understand what has helped these countries influence the sport.

Most importantly, we explain why families should never judge children’s gymnastics simply by Olympic success. A country can produce champions, yet still have lessons to learn. Equally, children can have an outstanding gymnastics experience without training in an elite national system.

Because understanding gymnastics means understanding the world behind it.

Read the full article via the link in our bio.