“Our Muscles Kind of Overlap”: Simone Biles Debunked the Biggest Myths Around Gymnasts Flexibility

With death-defying leaps and skills, gymnasts are known for their effortless show on the mat and the bar. To do the same, they train mercilessly and work on several key factors of gymnastics — namely, flexibility. Notably, the lack of flexibility increases the risk of injury during competitions and even losing some points. However, when Simone Biles weighed in on the importance of flexibility, here’s what she had to say.

Simone Biles on flexibility

American gymnast Simone Biles has often dispelled several myths surrounding the sport. Dating back in time, the gold medalist, in a video of Glamour, debunked some myths about her beloved sport.

Sports, lifestyle, and physical appearance were the three categories in which Biles divided her opening remarks. When a user questioned the flexibility of gymnasts, here’s what Simone said:

“No, not all gymnasts are flexible. Me and Aly Raisman were not that flexible for gymnastics because our muscles kind of overlap that. But we’re flexible enough to do what we have to do.”

Read More: “All Downhill From There”- Simone Biles Detailed the Harsh Reality of Gymnastics

Aly Raisman is an American gymnast who made her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games. She went on to win two gold medals and one bronze.

Other myths about gymnastics

When a user wrote that gymnastics is not a sport, Simone Biles replied, “I hear this a lot, but I feel like every four years, everybody tunes in to watch gymnastics. So it’s gotta be a sport at least.” 

She even revealed how hard it is to practice gymnastics. Biles added, “Right now I train 32 to 34 hours a week just to compete for about three or four minutes.”

One user also wrote that gymnastics is very expensive, it will cost you expensive outfits and an exuberant amount to train professionally. Agreeing to this though, Simone said, “It actually is a very expensive sport, and it has to do with its being year long. We don’t have a season and then we can take a break. And you kind of have to train your whole life for it. So yes, it does get to be expensive.”

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Currently, Simone has been away from the mat, enjoying her sabbatical. However, fans remain desperate for the return of the most decorated American gymnast. When do you think she will mark her comeback?