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How To Do A Full Turn [Steps And Exercises To Help You Improve]

how to do a full turn

Gymnastics is a fusion of several different branches of sports including dance. One of the many perks of being a gymnast is getting to be a part of such diversity along with elegance, all at once. Full turns being inculcated in gymnastics routines is proof of that.

Turns of different variations are a huge part of gymnastics, no matter the level or board that one is a part of. For this reason, it is in the best of your interest to learn to perform this skill especially if you are bigger.

Let me be the first one to admit; full turns can be extremely laborious to perform, particularly if you are not a fan of dance moves. However, with the right amount of practice and precision, you will be unmatchable when it comes to full turns.

Contents

Steps to follow to perform a full turn 

Are you ready? Because you’re going to need to pour your heart and soul into this skill (I promise it’ll be worth it). I am going to take you on a step-by-step guide about how to do a full turn from beginning to end. On that note, let’s get started! 

  1. 1
    Stand in relief (a flat position from the ball of your feet to up) on your foot and keep your knee straight.
  2. 2
    Make sure to position your hips at a level otherwise it may cause you to lose your balance and get off-kilter.
  3. 3
    Your upper body should be connected with the movement of your lower body as well.
  4. 4
    Try and keep the entirety of your body on the beam (or the event that you are performing on) as it helps maintain balance as well.
  5. 5
     You may put your other less dominant foot by the knee or the ankle according to preference.
  6. 6
    Your arms should be in a crown over your head (or in front of your chest, depending on the skillset you are performing).

Once you have assumed the correct body position, the next step is the turn itself. Surprisingly, performing the turn itself is not as arduous as you might expect it to be.

You will simply need to rotate your body while holding the same position (make sure you turn in the direction that you find more dominant).

The last and most important part after completing a full turn successfully is to gain momentum and know when to finish a turn.

Through my experience, I have come to realize that this step entirely depends on how much control you have over your body which can simply and only be acquired through practice.

3 Muscles required to perform a full turn

To perform a certain skill set with perfection and elegance, you are going to have to train the right muscles. For a full turn, the following mentioned muscles are required to be in shape;

  • Lower Limbs: Holding a spot-on body posture is extremely significant while performing a full turn and for this purpose, your legs will need to play the part of a hero. 
  • Hips: As is mentioned above, if you are unable to keep your upper limbs at a balance, doing a full turn can become quite a task. Therefore, make sure you exercise enough to keep your lower body on the right track. 
  • Core Muscles: your stomach muscles will largely aid your overall performance. 

3 Exercises You Can Do at Home to Perfect a Full Turn

1) Kettlebell Exercises; let me try and communicate the importance of these exercises in the following words; as far as turns are concerned in gymnastics, kettlebell workouts are your best friend!

Kettlebell deadlift, in particular, will provide your lengths with the strength they need. However, be mindful of the fact that you don’t exhaust yourself while trying to do the opposite. 

2) Lunges: lunges particularly target your lower legs and core and can, therefore, be considered a treat in regards to doing a full turn. On top of that, lunges are one of the easiest yet efficacious exercises you can do at home.

If you are a beginner, I would strongly advise you to not add in resistance right away. Otherwise, the purpose of doing lunges, as an exercise, will entirely fail if resistance limits you from doing the bare minimum as well. On the contrary, if you have previously exercised with resistance and can it to your benefit, get those weights!

planks

3) Planks: I am certain you would’ve heard of planks before, but you might not know how constructive they are when it comes to providing strength to your core muscles. If that is the scenario, you might want to test them for yourself and be stunned by the progress you make in a couple of days.

Drills to Perform for a Full Turn at Home

I am a staunch supporter of DIY drills because of their customized and targeted nature. However, if you haven’t been able to put a finger on where you are currently lacking, you may choose from the drills mentioned below. They are sure to help you achieve your goal.

Practice the body posture required for a full turn

Half a turn

Turn from one knee

A high releve 

Equipment Required to Make a Full Turn Possible

Conventionally, gymnasiums are equipped with everything you might need. Nonetheless, if you are looking to buy basic gymnastics equipment, you will need the following materials for a full turn;