MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

Time for podium training! Follow along with me as I guide through the fun and craziness of podium training. Refresh every few minutes for updates.

With the commencement of the US Classic is almost here. The junior session is literally two hours from now. Yesterday, I had every intention of posting my impressions from all the podium training videos... But other things got in the way, so instead of posting it yesterday, I'm posting it right now.

So much to do so little time! I wanted to do a full post on podium training, but between work and social obligations and other things, my day was packed yesterday. Luckily, the wonders of the gymternet never ceases. There has been an explosion of podium training awesomeness on YouTube. What I have done is gather all these videos in a playlist to make it easier to go through later. I will do a full post on podium training thoughts, but for now, enjoy some delicious gym-nerdy footage. I will add to this as the day goes on and as time permits.

The moment four years in the making. Women's Olympic Trials starts tomorrow. Oh yes! The men already had their trials and the team was announced, stirring up a flurry of emotions from all over the gymternet. Sunday's women's team announcement is likely to bring up the same reactions. This afternoon, the ladies were practicing their stuff in podium training. We got a small glimpse of training through USA Gymnastics and the Gods of YouTube. Here are some thoughts - along with some fun videos:

From Oklahoma to UCLA to Cal - the NCAA could practically have an entire team represented at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. From one Ms. Brenna Dowell to the fabulous Danusia Francis.  Oh she is glorious, and her gloriousness is representing Jamaica at these worlds, along with Cal's, Toni-Ann Williams, who is just as fabulous and awesome.

Today was podium training. For Team USA, this is the ultimate dress rehearsal, complete with Starburst colored leos. After watching Team USA during today's podium training for worlds, here are some initial thoughts.

Last night during podium training for the American Cup, two time world all-around champion, Simone Biles debuted her upgraded floor routine. Simone, who took second at the last American Cup she competed in 2013, showed her versatility and all around awesomeness with her ridiculous new routine.  Her floor routine was already pushing the boundaries of the laws of physics, but now, she's just plain defied them.

Athletes from around the world gathered in Dallas, Texas for podium training at the American Cup. Simone Biles was seen getting some serious air time on her Amanar vault. USA Gymnastics posted this video on their Instagram account of Simone. Big air for @simonebiles on her Amanar moments ago during podium training at #ATTAC2015! A video posted by USA Gymnastics (@usagym) on Mar 5, 2015 at 9:23am PST

Here is Ashton Locklear on the uneven bars from today's podium training from the P&G Championships.

Photos from podium training for the European Championships have been floating around Tumblr. The preference for blinding hot pink trend has officially crossed the Atlantic ocean. Team Russia was spotted wearing hot pink, as was team Italy. Sigh...

While the European Championships are happening in Sofia, China is hosting the their national championships in Nanning, just four months before the World Championships will be held in the same city. Consider it the Chinese warm up to worlds.

More podium training goodness from the American Cup, this time from the delightful Ebee Price.

With the American Cup only a day and a half away,  USA Gymnastics has posted great videos of the American athletes during podium training.

 Bust out the aerosol hairspray and get your Bret Michaels bandana on, it's time to go back to 1983 and the World Championships podium training.

Podium training for the World Championships in Antwerp have finished, and all the gymternet will dream of seeing their favorite gymnast up on the medal podium and the gymnasts dream of beating their competitors for their shot of glory.

Russian newbie Anna Rodionova has been out and about during today's podium training. The featured routine from the tiny blond newbie is her training the uneven bars. She has some form issues, namely a leg separation on her Shaposh half and she catches her straddled Jaeger a little close to the bar and bends her arms to compensate. she makes up for it with a nice Tkatchev and a clean landing on her dismount.

McKayla Maroney is looking as fierce as ever, especially on floor.

Victoria Moors has in fact gone back to her 2012 "Assassin's Tango" floor routine. She's seen training in a turquoise metallic leotard.

Here is Aliya Mustafina training on the uneven bars during podium training for Worlds. I expect a knockdown, hair-pulling brawl for the uneven bars gold between her and Yao Jinnan.

More podium training awesomeness. Yao Jinnan shows everyone just how much of a bad ass she is with her uneven bars routine.